KILBIRNIE Ladeside are now on the lookout for their third manager of the season.

It comes after the club accepted the resignation of current boss Shaun Dillon.

Dillon only came into the role in December, but has taken the decision to depart "in the best interests of the club".

Ladeside confirmed the boss had left the club in a statement earlier today, Thursday May 4.

They said: "It is with the deepest regreat that the football club have reluctantly accepted the resignation of Shaun Dillon.

"As a player and manager Shaun's commitment to Kilbirnie Ladeside FC has never been in doubt, we understand the reasons behind his decision - as he said, 'it is in the best interests of the club'."

They then went on to explain why the manager had decided to leave the role.

The statement added: "Balancing work/football/family is a challenge for every part time manager. In many ways the role is never part time.

"Shaun's availability for every training session has been troublesome to him. He believes that hampers the club, which is very honourable.

"We express our sincere thanks to Shaun for all his hard work and dedication. He will take charge of the team this coming Saturday away to Blantyre Victoria FC for the last time."

The club say that the search for a new boss is now under way, with a progress report to come in the next few days.

It's the second time in a year that Dillon has left the Valefield Park hotseat, following his resignation as co-manager in May 2022.

This time last year he announced his departure from the role, which he'd held alongside Tommy Molloy, due to "the challenges around co-manager arrangements for both parties".

Dillon would later pick up a role as coach at Beith Juniors before returning to the Blasties as manager in his own right after Molloy left in December.

In his statement to the fans, which Kilbirnie also shared on social media, Dillon said: "I'm absolutely gutted to be writing this, and trust me this is not what I wanted to happen, as I believe this is a great club and with the right work a Premier League club in the waiting.

"However, after speaking to the club, I belive it's the best and right decision to help Kilbirnie Ladeside and provide them with the best support to go and prepare for a promotion push next season.

"Due to circumstances with my work life I have been unable to be as available during the week as I want to be, or believe a manager should be.

"I have tried to solve the situation with a number of solutions, but for one reason or another this hasn't been possible.

"I felt when I was a player, a coach, and now a manager that it's imperative that the manager is front and centre of it all - and unfortunately I can't be that currently due to work, which has led me to leave my role as manager at this brilliant club."

Dillion leaves Ladeside in fifth position in the West of Scotland Football League First Division, seven points off of a promotion place with four games remaining.