HE came, he saw . . . and he had second thoughts about hanging around long enough to conquer.

Admittedly a bit of a play on the well-known Julius Caesar saying, however there are no more fitting words to describe today's astonishing transfer of Pollok midfielder Martin McGarvey back to his previous club Beith.

Less than a month has elapsed since outstanding playmaker McGarvey departed the Ayrshire outfit amid a blaze of publicity to join reigning Super Premier champions Lok, but now he is winging his way back to Bellsdale Park just one friendly match at Benburb and a competitive outing against Bellshill Athletic later.

Yet Garv is fiercely adamant in insisting he was anything but brassed off by his short-lived Newlandsfield spell.

He said: "I'm both absolutely delighted to be rejoining Beith and disappointed to be walking away from a club of Pollok's size and stature.

"Truth is I did not realise just how much I enjoyed playing for Beith until after leaving them and the pangs of regret have steadily worsened ever since.

"People might think me mad as there is no doubt my chances of picking up the game's top prizes at Pollok would have been greatly enhanced as they have a terrific side.

"However, at my age being happy and enjoying my football are every bit as important and I reckon those factors would be best served at Beith.

"To admit my moving was a mistake was the easy part and I'm just grateful to the Beith club officials and, indeed, to Rab Sneddon, for allowing me this opportunity to retrace my steps."

McGarvey's return on a two-year contract was greeted with euphoric Bellsdale dressing room scenes and has acted as a massive boost to morale, already heightened on the back of Saturday's 3-2 success over Super Premier leaders Irvine Meadow.

The playmaker's pledge to the Ayrshire club sparked a similar response from highly- rated trio Kenny McLean, Andy Reid and Martin "Mushy" Stewart.

They have all put pen to paper on new two-year deals, albeit with the proviso that Beith will not stand in their way should the chance to go Senior come their way.

Pleased as punch gaffer Johnny Miller said: "I did not have to think twice when it became clear there was a possibility Martin might come back to Beith.

"He is a truly outstanding player and his signature following hard on the heels of three vital points at Irvine on Saturday has lifted the whole club.

"Getting the other three lads fixed up longer term is also terrific news, but there is still a lot of hard work to do this season, starting with our Ayrshire Cup game against Maybole this week."

Elsewhere in Ayrshire, a couple of Miller's former Arthurlie team-mates, Jimmy Creaney and Stevie Quigg, were making waves down at struggling Ardeer Thistle after tendering their managerial resignations.

Terracing drums had reckoned all was not well at Recreation Park amid stories of several players not being paid their wages for the past month, and the shock departures of Creaney and Quigg will only fuel these rumours.

A guarded Creaney said: "Quiggy and I are sorry to be going at this juncture, however we feel it is the only thing to do in the circumstances.

"Both the club president Jim Bain and myself have been ploughing our own money into keeping Ardeer's head above water and it's time to say enough is enough.

"He has worked his socks off on behalf of the club and I would seriously worry about them surviving for much longer if he were to walk away."

An instant response to Creaney's quit decision came with the transfer- listing of striker Paddy Flannery, who only moved to Ayrshire last month and is now for sale along with ex-Petershill stopper Ryan Jordan.

Meanwhile, a huge turnout is anticipated at the funeral for former Pollok match secretary and president Jimmy Duncan MBE at Linn Crematorium on Thursday (1pm). He died last week aged 91 after a long illness. SATURDAY'S CARD

(Kick-offs 2pm unless stated) Citylink Scottish Cup. Quarter-finals - Bathgate v Clydebank, Cumnock v Auchinleck, Lanark v Pollok, Thornton Hibs v Glenafton (all 2.30pm).

Whyte & Mackay Cup. Second round - Lesmahagow v Ardeer.

Stagecoach Super Premier League - Arthurlie v Bellshill, Shotts v Irvine Meadow, Neilston v Kilsyth.

Stagecoach Super First Division - Renfrew v Annbank, Rob Roy v Vale of Clyde, Kilwinning v Johnstone Burgh, Kilbirnie v Largs, Maryhill v Troon.

Stagecoach Ayrshire District League - Lugar v Winton Rovers, Muirkirk v Darvel, Hurlford v Girvan, Kello v Dalry, Saltcoats v Irvine Vics, Craigmark v Whitletts.

Stagecoach Central District First Division - Cumbernauld v St Anthony's, Yoker v Port Glasgow, Glencairn v Larkhall, Benburb v Ashfield, Blantyre Vics v Dunipace.

Stagecoach Central District Second Division - Greenock v Shettleston, Forth v Cambuslang, Royal Albert v Wishaw, Vale of Leven v Carluke.

Central League Cup. First round - East Kilbride v St Roch's, Stonehouse v Thorniewood.

Ayrshire Cup. Second round - Beith v Maybole.