ARTHURLIE are seeking an astonishing eighth team manager in six years following Saturday afternoon’s decision by club officials to accept the resignation of Chris Mackie.

He has stepped down after just 10 months at the helm – or 11 if one includes his month-long stint as interim boss – and with the Barrhead side sitting third from bottom of the Super Premier Division pile.

The 32-year-old’s tenure since taking over from erstwhile gaffer Stevie Kerrigan has been dogged by a sequence of injury blows so his calling it quits and Arthurlie’s acceptance of his resignation will concern supporters not least because his departure could be followed by that of his array of close-season signings.

Experienced defender Kieran Brannon is already up for sale while busy striker Marc McKenzie (arguably Arthurlie’s top performer this season) is alleged to have submitted a transfer request and it’s thought any hint of unrest from the likes of Junior internationalist midfielder Colin Spence and pacy winger Chris Lennon will almost certainly spark rival clubs into circling Dunterlie.

A crunch Scottish Junior Cup second round tie away to Lesmahagow is looming next weekend so Arthurlie officials are hoping to instil some semblance of normality by installing Mackie’s former No.2 Jimmy Lyndsay in charge of team affairs and the experienced campaigner is thought to be on the verge of throwing his hat into the ring for the vacant post.

However, he could face strong competition from currently without a club types John McKeown, Ross Wilson, Keith Hogg, James McKenna and, of course, former Albion Rovers manager James Ward whose strong Barrhead ties ensure he is always mentioned whenever the Arthurlie job is up for grabs.

Attempts to discover if there was any frontrunner among the likely candidates hit a brick wall as did efforts to uncover reasons for Mackie calling time on his managerial career.

Last night the normally vocal and exuberant boss appeared to choose his words carefully in saying: “I’ve given my best by putting my heart and soul and a little bit more besides into my attempts to take Arthurlie in the right direction but I can do it no more.

“People close to me know I’m no quitter so there has to be a real good cause for me to walk away, however it’s probably better if any statement to that effect comes from the club and I’ll just ease into the background quietly.

“I wish everyone connected with Arthurlie the very best and made a point of shaking every person’s hand at Saturday’s meeting but my wishes also extend to the players and not least of all the supporters who have given me great backing.

“I’m like them in wishing results could have been better but injuries – we currently have three players Chris Lennon, Colin Spence and Michael Daly nursing broken bones, on top of the club operating without a physiotherapist for the past six weeks – has left us sorely depleted so hope someone new coming in might see changes.”

Mackie did not hesitate to reveal what his own immediate plans are.

He added: “I enjoyed managing a team and want to get straight back into the Juniors if some club will give me the opportunity.”

Any hopes of landing the Carluke Rovers post, recently vacated by Colin Slater, have been ended by the Lanarkshire outfit’s weekend announcement of the appointment of new manager John Dunn who was previously with East and North Region clubs and he will be assisted at Loch Park by former Preston Athletic team boss Craig Nisbet.

And yet another managerless top-flight club, Girvan, are believed to be in no hurry to install a replacement for Peter Leonard following his move to Cumnock.

SATURDAY'S FIXTURES

(Kick-offs 2pm unless stated)

Scottish Junior Cup second round (2.30pm): Shotts Bon Accord v Muirkirk, Newmachar Utd v Dyce, Lanark Utd v Dalkeith Thistle, Longside v Carnoustie Panmure, Vale of Clyde v Arbroath Vics, West Calder Utd v Scone Thistle, Tranent v Easthouses Lily, Rob Roy v Carluke Rovers, Lochee Utd v Armadale Thistle, Hill O’Beath v Buckie Rovers, Lesmahagow v Arthurlie, Auchinleck Talbot v Forres Thistle, Dufftown v Oakley Utd, Forfar Albion v Haddington Athletic, Kilsyth Rangers v Stoneywood Parkvale, Aberdeen Sunnybank v Ashfield, Kilbirnie Ladeside v Penicuik Athletic, Glasgow Perthshire v Kinnoull, Hermes v Blairgowrie, Forth Wanderers v Irvine Vics, Fauldhouse Utd v Bonnyrigg Rose, Irvine Meadow v Broxburn Athletic, St Roch's v Bellshill Athletic, Neilston v Downfield, Dundee East Craigie v Newtongrange Star, Troon v Stoneyburn, Montrose Roselea v Coupar Angus, Port Glasgow v Petershill, Rossvale v Edinburgh Utd, Wishaw v Arniston Rangers, Thorniewood Utd v Dundonald Bluebell, Maud v Harthill Royal, Broughty Athletic v Bathgate Thistle, Rutherglen Glencairn v Glentanar, Craigmark v Cumnock, Cruden Bay v Banks O’Dee, Crossgates Primrose v Newburgh, Kilwinning Rangers v Larkhall Thistle, Brechin Vics v Boness Utd, Girvan v East Kilbride Thistle, Gartcairn v Whitehills, Kennoway Star Hearts v Clydebank, Camelon v Hall Russell Utd, Whitletts Vics v Jeanfield Swifts, St Anthony's v Yoker Athletic, Ardrossan Winton Rovers v Dunbar Utd, Lochore Welfare v Spey Valley, Dalry Thistle v Glenafton, Beith v Inverness City, Royal Albert v Pollok, Vale of Leven v Luncarty, Cambuslang Rangers v Stonehaven, Benburb v Craigroyston, Blantyre Vics v Lochgelly Albert, Aberdeen University v Johnstone Burgh, Thornton Hibs v Cumbernauld Utd, Aberdeen East End v Blackburn Utd, Sauchie v Largs Thistle, Hurlford Utd v Nairn St Ninians, Dundee Violet v Forfar West End, Musselburgh Athletic v Darvel, Lugar Boswell v Linlithgow Rose, Buchanhaven Hearts v Whitburn, Annbank Utd v Colony Park.

McBookie.com Super First Division: Renfrew v Shettleston, Maryhill v Kello Rovers.

McBookie.com Central Second Division: Dunipace v Newmains Utd.

McBookie.com Ayrshire District League: Saltcoats Vics v Maybole.