Chapman new Bully Wee boss

CLYDE have secured the services of Jim Chapman as their new manager, with the 51-year-old Annan boss seeing off Billy Stark as well as interim managers Peter MacDonald and Jon-Paul McGovern for the post.

Chapman had led the Galabank side to the play-offs twice during his four-year spell at the club but he has opted to move to the Bully Wee, who finished second bottom of League 2 this season.

Barry Ferguson had been in charge at Broadwood until February, with MacDonald and McGovern combining playing roles with touchline duties to get Clyde to safety.

Chapman had a two-year spell at Albion Rovers from 2005 before moving to Dumbarton, who he guided to the Third Division title in 2009 before stepping down the following year.

A return to first-team management happened at Annan in January 2013 and the first win for his new team came when they beat Rangers 1-0 at Ibrox.

Since then, Annan have come close to promotion twice, and Chapman said: “I am proud of the job I have done at Annan and taking them to the play-offs this season with a brand-new squad was one of my best achievements in football. However, Clyde have offered me a fresh challenge and I am delighted to be their new manager.”

Clyde chairman Norrie Innes views Chapman as the ideal candidate to drive his team forward, as he explained: “The Board completed a rigorous appointment process and Jim was one of a most impressive list of candidates interested in the post.

“Jim and the other short-listed candidates certainly were, in their respective ways, very different. It was an essential requirement that the manager meets the necessary criteria, but also, beyond that, has the core human qualities that will help to shape the footballing and social culture at the club.

“He has the appetite for a fresh challenge. Jim has left Annan to help Clyde progress to a higher level.

“He demonstrated a very strong desire to join Clyde and this was very important to us.”