Career
His coaching career began at Whitburn Junior F.C. before going on to manage Stenhousemuir, however after a dispute with the board over a signing he resigned in October 2001. He then took over at Scottish Junior club Bo"ness United, but controversially resigned on the eve a Scottish Cup semifinal in March 2003 to become the manager at Dumbarton. Fairley led the club to 3rd place in the same league the following season in his only full season in charge.
Narrowly missing out on automatic promotion on the last day of the season to 2nd placed Hamilton Academical by 2 points.
Dumbarton were unable to repeat that success the following season and Fairley resigned in December 2004. Fairley then kept Forfar Athletic in the Scottish Second Division at the end of season 2004/05 but resigned shortly into the next season citing work and family commitments.
In May 2008 he was appointed as manager of Linlithgow Rose. He resigned from his position at the end of February 2009 following a poor run of results.
As of February 2009.
