KEVIN O'Hara might just be 21 and still in the relatively early years of his carer, but he's already achieved something players can miss out on despite decades in the game. 

A departure from a club which brings as much delight to those he's leaving as the fans of his new team. 

O'Hara's time in Clacks came to an end last week after his widely expected departure from the Wasps was confirmed.

Alloa and Hillfoots Advertiser:

He'll play his football at Dunfermline Athletic next season, securing the return to full-time football he's never shied away from wanting and those closest to him - Peter Grant among them - have backed him to achieve from day one. 

A month on from the shock departure of Iain Flannigan, there was the understandable sadness on social media. But, it's safe to say the messages of support from Alloa fans and his team-mates have been overwhelming; they are as delighted as anyone to see O'Hara back where they are sure he belongs. 

READ MORE: O'Hara thanks Alloa and Peter Grant for chance to make amends

Speaking to Advertiser Sport, the former Falkirk player is clear he'll always owe Grant and the club his thanks for giving him a second chance when others turned him away. 

"I phoned Peter the other day and I spoke to him and thanked him for bringing me to Alloa," O'Hara said. "If it wasn't for him, I don't know where I would have been in the game.

"Before I came to Alloa, it was make or break for me. I'm thankful to him and the other coaches for bringing me in. I've loved my time at the club.

"It is disappointing in ways to leave but the goal has always been to get back to full-time football. When I spoke to the gaffer he was very clear at the start of the season that he wanted me to get back there as well.

"From Paddy [Connolly], down to big Alan [Fraser], they've all been excellent with me. Getting me game time every single week in a right good league and giving me a platform to showcase myself. 

Alloa and Hillfoots Advertiser: O'Hara thanked his team-mates for their support during his time at the club O'Hara thanked his team-mates for their support during his time at the club

"It's a place I'll always enjoy coming back to and I'll hope to maybe make it over for a few games, even if it's during the week.

"From the chairman right down, it's a great club and you are really looked after, especially when you are coming in from your work."

After becoming Grant's first signing as Alloa manager, O'Hara wasted little time in showing why he'd been given the chance to make up for careless words to Dean Shiels as a teenager. 

O'Hara scored on his debut in the Betfred Cup at home to Elgin and barely looked back, notching 14 goals in total, producing a standout performance under the lights in front of the BBC cameras in a famous win over would-be champions Dundee Untied, and driving the Wasps' attacking play. 

Three braces in three consecutive games in January saw O'Hara named as Championship Player of the Month - Grant secured Manager of the Month - before he swept up once again at the end of the season, winning the Alloa Advertiser Player of the Year and the Supporters Club Player of the Year awards. 

READ MORE: Alloa squad delighted to see Kevin O'Hara form, says Steven Hetherington

"It's a great place to be and a great dressing room with brilliant players," he said. "It's a squad which should be a full-time squad and I have loved every minute of my time. 

"I did win personal awards during the season and towards the end and it's an old cliche but you can never do that without your team-mates.

"I love scoring goals and getting praise, but I would rather the team does well than getting the personal awards. They are just a wee bonus.

Alloa and Hillfoots Advertiser: With the Championship Player of the Month award for January With the Championship Player of the Month award for January

"Getting the award for player of the month was a bit of a standout. Before the start of the season when I didn't have a club, I'd never have thought that would have been possible.

"In the January when I scored six goals in the week, it just felt like every time I hit a shot it went in."

"That's a difficult question," he said, when asked what he believes the biggest change in his game has been during the last year. "The main thing was getting my self-belief back.

"To know that if you do have a bad game you have to pick yourself up and start a fresh week and go again." 

One thing the 'drop' to the part-time game gave O'Hara was the chance to get a proper taste for coaching, joining his uncle Jimmy Bone in working with pupils at his former school Wallace High, in Stirling. 

Alloa and Hillfoots Advertiser: O'Hara excelled during his time at the club O'Hara excelled during his time at the club

Taking the time to learn more about the game and its ins and outs has played its part in his own development. 

"Sometimes I am watching a game now or playing in it and I actually understand the game a lot more," he said. "The coaching has helped me on that front.

"There will be times where I am standing in the wrong position and now know I need to move. It's a nice feeling when the kids are doing well and when they win it's a great feeling to see them smiling and laughing. 

"You play football because you enjoy it. That's the main thing and I always say it to the kids."

While he'll does admit there's a real sense of sadness about departing the Wasps, he also can't wait to get started at his new home. 

He said: "It's a massive club and I just can't wait to get back playing every single week again and playing full-time.

 

"It's looking good going into the season and hopefully we can kick on from day one."