EAT KILBRIDE gaffer Alan Wardlaw has owned up to having a few emotional moments now that it's finally sunk in he will be calling time on a 33-year stretch in Junior football as a player, coach and team manager at the end of this season.

Never in his wildest dreams did the teenage goalkeeper who turned out for the Bobby Russell steered Cambuslang Rangers in 1982 ever imagine he would still be involved in the game some three and a bit decades further down the line.

But now it would appear the curtain is coming down for one last time with Wardy admitting there is no new job or fresh challenge to be faced likely to tempt him into reversing his quit decision that was first revealed to shocked E.K. club officials at the turn of the year.

And typical of the larger than life character to say he is bitterly disappointed the Jags and his final game of their 2014/15 campaign is a Keanie Park date with promotion challenging Johnstone Burgh (date unknown)

"I was thinking the occasion might have seen a four-figure crowd turning out at the Showpark," he quipped.

Joking aside, his telephone has never stopped ringing since the imminent retirement news was belatedly broken to his Thistle playing charges last midweek, however Wardy has still found some quiet time to reminisce about his many Junior experiences.

He said: "Probably more downs than ups if truth be told but the good days are so much easier to recall as a consequence and I can never forget various league title wins and promotions as well as Cambuslang Rangers confounding all the odds to lift the Sectional League Cup.

"Those memories will stay with me forever yet it's not a trophy success as much as helping steer East Kilbride to a 1-0 victory over St Roch's in 2014 that stands out as arguably the highest point of my Junior career.

"It marked Thistle's first league win in over a year as well as our first clean sheet in two seasons and my teenage son Jack was between the sticks after a late call-off left us without a goalkeeper.

"I was bursting with pride that day and don't mind admitting to few tears in the eyes as well...though at the time I said it was the wind."

It's been said in some quarters that juggling the commitments of his day job, Rangers scouting duties and management of East Kilbride Thistle are behind Wardy's quit decision though he insisted: "My problem is burn-out as my batteries are totally drained with the day-to-day running of a Junior football team.

"That's no slight towards the club officials at E.K. whom I regard as salt of the earth types who have been absolutely magnificent in their backing of myself, Billy Campbell and Stewart Taylor.

"But the hard facts are that we are not one of the more affluent clubs in the game and not being in the position to pay wages leaves us reliant on picking up amateur players which in turn means amateur attitudes towards the game.

"We've had players (no longer at club) who have missed training nights in favour of taking in Celtic and Rangers games and there are also the daily 20-30 phone calls or texts about all manner of player's personal problems.

"The reality is you end up doubling as a social worker and spending more time on non-football matters so the job of team manager becomes a chore and a grind instead of an enjoyable extension to my hobby.

"Don't let anyone think I'm tarring every E.K. player with the same brush because nothing could be further from the truth as it's been a joy to work with some guys whose commitment is absolute and I'll find it difficult to walk away from them when the time comes.

"Neither will it be easy to turn my back on Billy and Stewart but I couldn't be leaving the reins in better hands and anyway I'm only a phone call away if they need advice. "

Wardy's former club Cambuslang Rangers were rocked at the weekend when co-manager Paddy Flannery resigned his post following a 6-2 Somervell Park mauling at the hands of Johnstone Burgh which has left the Wee Gers step-up hopes hanging by a thread.

On a sad note, the funeral service for Shotts Bon Accord president Lachlan Mackie - one of the most welcoming and likeable characters in the Junior game - takes place at the Bon Accord Club tomorrow afternoon (1.15pm) before moving on to Benhar Cemetery in the Lanarkshire town.

SATURDAY'S FIXTURES

(Kick-offs 2pm unless stated)

Dyslexia Scotland Junior Cup semi-finals, first leg (2.30pm): Hurlford Utd v Auchinleck Talbot, Linlithgow Rose v Musselburgh Athletic.

Stagecoach League Super Premier Division: Clydebank v Troon, Arthurlie v Petershill, Shotts Bon Accord v Irvine Meadow, Beith v Kilbirnie Ladeside.

Super First Division: Largs Thistle v Yoker, Neilston v Pollok, Rob Roy v Kilsyth Rangers, Ardeer Thistle v Irvine Vics, Shettleston v Greenock, Maybole v Cumbernauld Utd, Rutherglen Glencairn v Thorniewood Utd.

Central First Division: Maryhill v Lesmahagow, Blantyre Vics v Lanark Utd, Benburb v Vale of Clyde, Renfrew v St Anthony's, Bellshill Athletic v Dunipace, Ashfield v Larkhall Thistle, Wishaw v Carluke Rovers.

Central Second Division: Cambuslang Rangers v Port Glasgow, Newmains Utd v Johnstone Burgh, St Roch's v Forth, Vale of Leven v Glasgow Perthshire, Royal Albert v Rossvale. Ayrshire District League: Winton Rovers v Dalry Thistle, Darvel v Kello Rovers, Annbank Utd v Lugar Boswell, Girvan v Muirkirk.

Euroscot Eng. Central League Cup first round: Greenock v Kilsyth Rangers.

Second round: Vale of Leven v Yoker.

Ayrshire Cup second round: Maybole v Irvine Vics.