Chris Mackie last night lifted the lid on him becoming part of the new coaching team at Arthurlie.

The journeyman striker , able to number Rob Roy, Beith, Petershill Clydebank and St Anthonys among his former clubs was making transfer headlines as recently as mid-October when he reappeared on the Junior scene to sign on the dotted line for East Region cracks Bo’ness United.

But now he’s on the move yet again after newly appointed Arthurlie manager Stevie Kerrigan revealed Mackie will be taking up a coaching position in a Barrhead backroom team comprising of one time Pollok centreback Robbie Henderson as No 2 as well as specialist goalkeeping coach Willie McCulloch.

Said the 30 year old forward ,”Keggs was assistant manager when I joined Bo’ness so he and I became travelling companions going through to Newton Park and we found ourselves sharing ideas and on the same wavelength during our many chats on coaching matters.

“He was being linked with a number of top Junior positions back then and had asked if I would consider coming in with him if something concrete was to materialise but nothing happened of any note until right out of the blue he called me last week to say the Arthurlie job was his.

“I have nursed a burning passion for the coaching side of the game and the prospect of getting involved with a club of Arthurlie’s stature was too good to turn down so I didn’t hesitate to throw in my lot in with Keggs even though I’m still officially a registered Bo’ness player.

“Whether matters stay that way is down to the gaffer but I really don’t think I could do myself justice out on the pitch without a pre-season under my belt .

“That was my problem at Bo’ness where my lack of fitness and sharpness after almost two years out of football saw me struggle to play anywhere near my abilities.

“Maybe it’s best for now that I steer well clear of the playing side of things at Arthurlie particularly as the likes of Chris Dallas and Gary Smith fit the bill as bustling target man types .”

Mackie has delighted in working with the Arthurlie players and meeting up with familiar faces in three training sessions to date .

He added , “I played alongside Mikey White , Gary Wild and Craig Palmer during my Petershill days as well as Gavin Rushford at Clydebank and I rate all these guys as top notch Juniors .

“We’re aware that Craig was recently by the club but he has asked and been granted the chance to come back and prove his worth all over again which is not altogether surprising seeing as Keggs was part of the management team (with Craig McEwan) that brought him to Arthurlie in the first place .

“If he applies himself properly and makes Keggs think his qualities can help Arthurlie remain in the Super Premier then he’ll be staying put.”

Arthurlie’s competitive debut under their new management team is set for Saturday at home to one of Mackie’s former clubs Beith.

He admitted , “ Terrific club with salt of the earth guys behind the scenes such as John Boal but more importantly Johnny Millar has put together a strong side capable of providing a tough test for us .

“Getting away to a good start has to be our target but it will be anything but easy.”

EuroScot Eng League Cup holders Thorniewood United are facing an extremely tough first defence of their silverware prize after West Region chiefs pitted them at home to strong going Rossvale when making the 1st Round draw.

An intriguing contest has been lined up with Super First Division promotion challengers Clydebank and Kilsyth Rangers locking horns at Holm Park while the only top flight clubs landed with opening ties- Petershill and Rob Roy – are taking to the road to face Vale of Clyde and Lesmahagow respectively.

No doubt the Peasy’s visit to Fullarton Park will be eagerly awaited by Ian Currie and his Tin Pail players who will doubtless be looking to avenge their Euroscot Eng Sectional League Cup final defeat(4-2 on penalty kicks) by their city rivals.

The full draw is Bellshill Athletic v Neilston, Vale of Clyde v Petershill, Wishaw v Renfrew,

Benburb v Gartcairn, Lesmahagow v Rob Roy , Clydebank v Kilsyth Rangers, Thorniewood Utd v Rossvale, Lanark Utd v Ashfield.

Also drawn at the same time was the Ayrshire Cup and last season’s trophy winners Hurlford Utd’s good fortune in receiving a first round bye was not matched by the beaten finalists from last time out , Auchinleck Talbot , left facing a tricky encounter away to surprise packets Darvel .

The Ayrshire pairings came out as Glenafton v Lugar Boswell,Whitletts Vics v Girvan, Kello Rovers v Irvine Vics, Muirkirk v Dalry Thistle, Darvel v Auchinleck Talbot, Craigmark v Largs Thistle, Kilbirnie Ladeside v Cumnock, Annbank Utd v Beith.

FIXTURES FOR SATURDAY 30th JANUARY (Kick Offs 2 PM ): ETHXenergy Scottish Junior Cup 4th Round: Camelon v Dundee North End, Glenrothes v Hermes, New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup 2nd Round .Cumnock v Rossvale, Vale of Clyde v Cambuslang Rangers, Clydebank v Whitletts Vics.McBookie.com Super Premier Division. Arthurlie v Beith, Rob Roy v Petershill, Auchinleck Talbot v Glenafton, Kilbirnie Ladeside v Troon, Shettleston v Pollok, Irvine Meadow v Hurlford Utd.McBookie.com Super First Division. Shotts Bon Accord v Kilwinning Rangers, Greenock v Yoker Athletic, Blantyre Vics v Bellshill Athletic, Largs Thistle v Kilsyth Rangers, Maybole v Cumbernauld Utd, Rutherglen Glencairn v Winton Rovers. McBookie.com Central First Division. Johnstone Burgh v St Anthonys ,Carluke Rovers v St Rochs, Dunipace v Renfrew, Lesmahagow v Maryhill, Neilston v Wishaw , Larkhall Thistle v Thorniewood Utd . McBookie.com Central Second Division. Forth v Lanark Utd, Newmains Utd v Port Glasgow, East Kilbride Thistle v Vale of Leven, Royal Albert v Gartcairn , Glasgow Perthshire v Ashfield..McBookie.com Ayrshire District League. Ardeer Thistle v Annbank Utd , Dalry Thistle v Muirkirk, Saltcoats Vics v Darvel, Girvan v Kello Rovers, Craigmark v Lugar Boswell.