In a full and frank interview with the Belfast Telegraph the man at the helm of the Irish League champions spelt out his plans for the future of the club, which may include a 10,000 all-seater arena if a national stadium is constructed and the Irish FA ending their 100-year agreement for use of Windsor Park for Northern Ireland games.

Any new stadium for the Blues, however, will be built on the current site.

There are no plans to move away - and I emphasis that," said Kerr.

"Windsor Park is the home of Linfield, the spiritual home to Bluemen, their shrine.

"We have no plans whatsoever - none at all. There has been talk about Newtownabbey, but that has never been considered.

"I say again there is no question of an exodus from Windsor and even in these days when you can never say never that's the situation.

"While our support is provincewide the bulk of it would be in south Belfast. Windsor Park is where supporters want to remain."

Kerr, 67-year-old, ex-principal of Brownlow Primary School, Lisburn, who was appointed last August after the sudden death of "Mr Linfield" David Crawford.

The choice is an admirable one for he is the ideal leader, has everyone working as a team, the honest, common sense approach of the Ulsterman as well as outstanding negotiating skills and articulate.

Nobody is more suited to lead his management team and the huge contingent of supporters through one of the most critical periods in the club's history.

Born in Portglenone, his father Andy was a Linfield supporter who took him to his first match - a Co Antrim Shield final between Ballymena United and Linfield at the old Celtic Park, now the Park shopping complex on the Donegal Road.

He was a goalkeeper in his playing days, mainly for Linfield Rangers and Ballymena United in the reign of Geoff Twentyman and Eric Trevorrow.

When he left college he joined Chimney Corner but injury ended his career prematurely so he became an Irish League referee.

"I ran the line on occasions in senior matches and also refereed the Scotland and England Schoolboy International at Ibrox Park, Glasgow - wearing a green shirt," he said.

He combined school teaching with service in the Ulster Defence Regiment from 1971-96 finishing as a major.

His demeanour, his clean-cut dress sense are the military hallmarks, his analytical thinking that of the schoolmaster, the passion for Linfield, loyalty, fairness and straightforwardness are his currency.

Although a supporter from youth, he was elected to the management committee in 2003, served on the special efforts committee for five years and on David Crawford's tragic passing which left a void at Windsor Park he became chairman.

Now with support of his wife Dorothy, an ex-teacher, it is virtually a full-time occupation, or I should say, labour of love.

As he steers the Blues through the next few all-important years towards its 125th anniversary in 2010 I put a series of pertinent questions to him in a face-to-face interview. His answers were revealing.

Q: If a new stadium is built and the Irish FA stage their internationals elsewhere will Linfield leave Windsor Park and re-locate to another area with a smaller, purpose-built ground?

A: We have no plans whatsoever - none at all. There has been talk about Newtownabbey but that has never been considered.

There are no plans to move away - and I emphasis that.

Windsor Park is the home of Linfield, the spiritual home to Bluemen, their shrine.

Q: What would be your plans for Windsor without internationals?

A: We don't need a 14,000 or 30,000 capacity stadium for Irish League football.

We would be looking at 10,000 all seated.

Q: Your reaction to international football leaving Windsor Park?

A: It is an honour for any club to stage their country's home fixtures as we have for decades but let's not forget the prime objective of the management committee and members is not international football but ensuring Linfield maintains its competitive status and challenge, winning trophies in Northern Ireland domestic football and qualifying for Europe.

Should the IFA decide they don't want to play at Windsor Park we cannot do anything about it.

Of course their contractual commitments to us must be met - in other words compensation for loss of revenue.

I say again there is no question of an exodus from Windsor and even in these days when you can never say never that's the situation. While our support is province-wide the bulk of it would be in south Belfast. Windsor Park is where supporters want to remain.

Q: What is the position with the contract?

A: We were somewhat bemused when receiving the letter from the IFA hierarchy announcing they would be terminating the contract from last January so we've simply decided to put it in the hands of our legal advisors.

The interest of the club has to be protected.

Anyway, we've already had one international there and another is scheduled later this month.

The matter is now likely to go to arbitration but we assume if they want to end the contract which has 82 years to run we will be reimbursed.

Currently we receive 15% of revenue after expenses and the same from television.

Once that issue is settled we can make plans for proper ground development again at Windsor which is our prime concern.

Q: So in the interim period until a decision on the stadium is taken Northern Ireland internationals must be staged at Windsor Park even though Health and Safety regulations limit the capacity?

A: Yes that is the terms of our contract with the Irish FA. We've had no official approach from them just a casual telephone call. "We'll come back to you on this one."

At the moment both legal teams feel the matter could be sorted out by arbitration.

Q: What is Linfield's view on an All-Ireland League?

A: At present it is not a level playing field for Irish League clubs. Linfield has no interest in participating in an All-Ireland League. Indeed, even competing in the Setanta Cup is not one of our priorities.

The travelling and finance involved for players and supporters in an All-Ireland set-up could not be sustained regardless of what money they have guaranteed over a five-year period.

Look what happened to Shelbourne who went beyond their means and fell into receivership. For the Setanta Cup final we took 2,000 supporters to Dublin but that was a one-off.

Attempting this every other week is an impossibility.

Let's be clear, while two national associations exist - the Irish FA and FAI - our places in Europe are safeguarded. An All-Ireland competition could only be run by one national association and that's a non-starter.

Q: Are you happy with the proposed 12 club Invitational League due to kick off next August?

A: Yes, this is a fresh challenge and we are informed the financial arrangements will be attractive. Reducing the number to 12 should make it more competitive.

Realistically we haven't sufficient quality players to maintain 16 teams nor public support in certain areas.

Q: Your reaction to the final £4million being allocated to the government for Irish football?

A: That cash, long-delayed, will be welcomed but suggestions that membership of the 11-man executive board be based on competency is in my view maligning many people who run successful businesses and operate on a voluntary basis as unfit to sit on it.

Football has been put through the hoop to get this cash - a complete constitutional change.

Has any other sport in Northern Ireland been similarly treated?

Q: Are there any difficulties staging internationals or high-risk club matches at Windsor Park, criticised in the past for its sectarian environment?

A: None - there are no impediments. The club has worked closely with Michael Boyd and the Irish FA community relations division to ensure a proper environment. We have many Roman Catholic players and some supporters too. Ability and the desire to play for Linfield are the criteria.

There was one breach recently by a supporter at a Cliftonville match and his season ticket was removed and he was also banned for 12 months.

Such conduct will not be tolerated.

Q: Your proudest moment?

A: There are two. Winning the Setanta Cup in Dublin and of course the incredible 1962 seven-trophy triumph.

Q: And your greatest players?

A: Tommy Dickson, head and shoulders above everybody else. Jackie Milburn, Alex Russell, being a goalkeeper he was my idol, Tommy Hamill, Peter Rafferty, Peter Dornan, Noel Bailie and Glenn Ferguson.

Q: Your ambitions for the club?

A: To continue being successful without losing the family image - an image underlined when the relatives of the late Arthur Thomas who died in Australia recently made a special visit to Windsor Park. Arthur's motto was once a Blueman always a Blueman. Indeed that would apply to everyone ass ociated with the club which has a fierce and relentless sporting rivalry with other teams. I am proud to be its chairman.