Brown handed Cowden job as Locke returns to Hearts

COWDENBEATH 3 QUEEN OF THE SOUTH 2

Former East Fife boss Billy Brown has been appointed the new Cowdenbeath manager after the shock departure of Gary Locke.

The former Kilmarnock and Raith Rovers boss took charge of Saturday’s friendly against Queen of the South before quitting to take up a principal ambassador role with Hearts.

Locke had been looking to get back into the full-time game and this role, which will see him replace former Jambos’ striker John Robertson who went to Inverness Caley Thistle as manager, involves developing aspects of the club’s commercial department.

Cowden director David Allan said: “Cowdenbeath FC is very grateful to everything that Gary Locke did for the club in his short time in charge and his contribution to ensuring the club remained in the SPFL by winning the play-off with East Kilbride.

“We are delighted to say that Gary’s assistant, Billy Brown, will take charge with immediate effect.”

Chairman Donald Findlay said: “Of course I am sorry to see Gary leave but I have always made it plain to him that we would not stand in his way if a bigger opportunity came his way.

“I have every confidence that Billy will continue the good work and I look forward to working with him and am sure that all the club’s fans will get behind Billy and the players in the new season.”

The Blue Brazil meanwhile turned a two-goal interval deficit into a friendly victory over the Doonhamers.

Andy Stirling and Stephen Dobbie had hit the target in three and 43 minutes for the visitors before Cowden came storming back at the Palmerston men after the break to score three times.

Teenage striker Cammy Muirhead levelled with a neat finish in 58 minutes and then squared things with another well-taken goal 11 minutes later.

With five minutes to go David Syme headed home Mullen’s corner to cap a fine fightback.

Gary Locke has left Cowden.