Nock boss McKeown resigns after weekend 6-0 mauling by Beith
CUMNOCK are on the lookout for a new team manager after parting ways with former player John McKeown in the wake of Saturday’s 6-0 mauling at home to Beith.
The manner of his side’s latest defeat – Cumnock’s fifth in six league starts this season which leaves them sitting rank bottom of the Super Premier Division standings – sparked an after-match meeting between McKeown and club officials at which it was unanimously agreed that he would resign his Townhead Park post with immediate effect.
Last night the seasoned gaffer revealed: “Nobody has been more disappointed with our results than myself so I went into that meeting looking for radical changes to be made.
“I’m not any wet behind the ears novice and either major investment for the team had to be found or I had to fall on my sword and make way for a new man to come in with a fresh approach and try to get more out of the same group of players.
“The preference of those around the table was for the latter option so my time at the helm is now over.
“However, I firmly believe Cumnock are in a far better place in a playing sense than they were when I took over three years ago.
“Back then single-figure numbers were our lot at training sessions but nowadays it is a rarity for us not to have a full house barring injuries.
“I cannot speak highly enough about the commitment shown by our current squad, which also flies in the face of suggestions I had lost the dressing room.
“Nothing could be further from the truth even if there will always be players feeling unhappy if they are not getting a regular jersey.”
Asked if, on hindsight, he should have rung the changes with his Cumnock squad that finished sixth top of the Super Premier pile last time out and were beaten finalists in both the Ayrshire Cup and New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup prompted the quiet spoken McKeown to retort: “Any perceived lack of new faces is certainly not for the lack of trying.
“I can recall nights where I have spent hours on the phone enquiring after prospective signings but all to no avail.
“The additions we did make have not all worked out as hoped, but my biggest regret is the fact my assistant Martin Devlin is now without a club.
“He is a wonderful coach who has worked his socks off at Cumnock. You won’t find any of our players with a bad word to say about his training drills.
“The two of us will now revert to spectator roles but hopefully we get the chance to get back in the Junior game before long.”
Speculation is already rife over McKeown’s replacement with ex-Rossvale and East Kilbride Lowland League manager Martin Lauchlan being mentioned along with current Hurlford United boss Darren Henderson and long-serving Larkhall Thistle gaffer Dunky Sinclair, both former Nock players.
However, emerging as a strong contender is the knowledgeable Peter Leonard of top-flight rivals Girvan, which is not altogether unsurprising given that his No.2 is one-time Cumnock fans favourite Gerry Phillips who played in their 1989 Scottish Junior Cup-winning side.
There was another managerial candidate when Carluke gaffer Colin Slater handed in his notice.
Meanwhile, one hears that Pollok are willing to listen to offers for experienced defender Ross McCabe whose previous clubs include Petershill and Hamilton.
The versatile 29-yearold has found starting appearances rare this season and the recent addition of Queen’s Park loan signing Bryan Wharton has dropped him further down the pecking order.