Richie Barr has handed Kilbirnie Ladeside a massive boost by signing for the Blasties at the third time of asking.

Ladeside co-bosses Stevie Swift and Mark Crilly are avowed admirers of the Scotland internationalist, who they played alongside at Irvine Meadow.

They launched a lucrative transfer bid to get him on board last season only for him to join Pollok and were left disappointed again when he opted to sign for Arthurlie during the summer.

Pressing family and work commitments severely curtailed the 32-year-old's appearances for the Barrhead club and it looked on the cards that he was going to call time on his Junior career until the Ladeside management duo came back on the scene.

Richie admitted: "I honestly wouldn't have pulled on the boots for anyone else even though my off-pitch commitments have eased a little.

"I feel as if I owe Swifty and Crills after having said no to them on two occasions, and I'm looking forward to playing under them at Kilbirnie where there is a fabulous and fanatical supporter base.

"The guys know there will be times when I cannot get along to training and games, which is why I am not going to take a weekly wage.

"I'm playing for nothing other than enjoyment, which, for me, means getting in the team and doing enough to stay in. However, the competition for places is intense and I think nothing but my best scoring form will do the trick."

Swift and Crilly believe their team will go from strength to strength once Barr beds into his new surroundings, but the likelihood is he will not make their starting line-up for this week's trip deep into the Ayrshire heartlands to face Glenafton, managed by former Blasties manager Tommy Bryce.

Swifty insisted: "Richie coming on board to team up with Iain Diack, Chris Craig and Graham Boyd gives us four quality forwards which any Junior team in the country would love to have at their beck and call.

"Nobody knows better than him that his match sharpness after several weeks of inactivity needs honing, so we will likely introduce him off the bench on Saturday and he can look forward to a rousing reception from our travelling supporters.

"They will adore his non-stop running and willingness to work his socks off to get on the end of things inside the penalty box, and I'm excited myself about the prospect of him running out wearing a Kilbirnie jersey."

Swift and Crilly will be urging their playing charges to prove a point by beating Ardagh Glass Cup winners Glenafton, who emerged as 3-1 winners when the two sides clashed in the Ardagh semi-finals.

Swifty said: "The powers-that-be decided we had to play the quarter final against Irvine Meadow on the Monday night, just 48 hours before facing a fresh Glenafton, and it's no surprise the players were lacking in energy and lost the game.

"It would be satisfying to set the record straight on Saturday, however it's going to take a massive performance because the Glens are one of the in-form sides."

Swifty also revealed Kilbirnie have granted a free transfer to striker John Boyle and have also released midfielders Phil Barclay and Matty Bennett, whose availability is reputed to be interesting Cumnock, Thorniewood United and Lanark United among others.

Glens boss Bryce was not altogether surprised at Kilbirnie's swoop for Barr. He said: "There has been talk of Richie going to Ladeside for some time and I'm sure the opportunity to renew his former striking partnership with Diack was a factor in his decision.

"They teamed up to good effect at Pollok and I just hope their pairing isn't a success until after Saturday."