ABSOLUTELY astonishing . . . one can think of no other words to describe the many turns taken on Junior football’s managerial roundabout.

The floodgates were initially opened by Chris McGroarty surprisingly tendering his resignation at Kilsyth Rangers towards the end of last month after less than 35 weeks at the Duncansfield helm and within a matter of days he had been replaced by the ex-Senior pairing of Jim Thomson and Kevin McGoldrick.

The ensuing 22 days have been rife with the comings and goings of managers and the count last night showed no fewer than eight changes having taken place at various helms, most recently at Wishaw where yesterday there was a shock parting of the ways with Derek Holmes .

Homer’s first Junior appointment has proven to be an extremely short-lived one of less than two months and his departure is even more surprising in light of his achievement in steering the Central First Division outfit into the Scottish Junior Cup semi-finals where they narrowly lost out 2-1 on aggregate against Super Premier big guns Hurlford United.

Last night he said: “I’m a bit baffled by events to say the least but my close friends know there has been a bit of tension behind the scenes involving a certain individual who has been openly critical of my management.

“It’s disappointing but I prefer to go quietly rather than cause any stushie so I’ll leave it to Wishaw’s officials to issue a statement."

The Lanarkshire outfit host Greenock at The Beltane tonight and word has it that affairs will be looked after by striker Kevin Barry Grant’s father and ex-Pollok gaffer Rab Sneddon – who was previously caretaker boss prior to the appointment of Holmes.

Speculation is already rife over the longer-term replacement and a few well-known names have received a passing mention. However, word has it an approach might be made to try and entice the highly-regarded McGroarty into coming back on board.

The one-time Dunfermline and Berwick Rangers wing ace is also rumoured to be on the radar of Forth Wanderers whose erstwhile boss Jamie McKenzie has been installed as the new manager of Gartcairn Juniors following Davie Greig’s decision to step down in the wake of the Airdrie-based club’s promotion to the Central First Division.

Elsewhere, Irvine Vics have asked for applications for their management post vacated by long-serving gaffer Stevie Wilson, who moved to Ardrossan Winton Rovers, and one hears of an announcement from St Anthony's confirming this week’s breaking story in SportTimes that the new man in charge at McKenna Park is Johnny Kelly, previously of Glenvale Amateurs.

And there’s no shortage of interest being expressed over the manager’s position at Shotts Bon Accord where earlier this week Kieron McGuinness and loyal backroom team Paul Finnigan and Martin Devlin called time on their tenure to leave experienced player Andy Scott looking after affairs in their three remaining league matches, as well as a daunting New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup clash against Beith.

Arthurlie’s boss from earlier this season, Chris Mackie, is being linked with the Hannah Park hotseat as is the out-of-work Greig and former Wishaw boss John Brogan, however one cannot rule out an approach being made to Robert Sneddon whose leading of Bellshill Athletic to promotion this season has not gone unnoticed at the First Division club where his father acquired legendary status.

Bon Accord heading on the road to face promotion contenders Neilston tomorrow is sure to bring a number of interested parties to Brig O’Lea.

PLAYING TONIGHT: McBookie.com Central First Division (7.30PM). Wishaw v Greenock (7.15PM) Rossvale v Port Glasgow, Lesmahagow v Forth Wanderers ,

TOMORROW Kick Offs 2PM): McBookie.com Super Premier Division. Kilwinning Rangers v Hurlford Utd, Auchinleck Talbot v Pollok, Rob Roy v Girvan, Cumnock v Arthurlie, Clydebank v Glenafton.McBookie.com Super First Division. Kello Rovers v Larkhall Thistle, Kilsyth Rangers v Irvine Meadow, Troon v Rutherglen Glencairn, Darvel v Shettleston.McBookie.com Central First Division. East Kilbride Thistle v Thorniewood Utd . Blantyre Vics v Benburb, Neilston v Shotts Bon Accord.,McBookie.com Ayrshire District League. Annbank Utd v Lugar Boswell .