Arthurlie are expected to name their new manager today after interviewing two candidates for the job on Monday and one last night.

With pre-season and the new campaign looming, the board are keen to get someone new into the role as as quickly as possible in order to give them the best chance of building a squad which can revive the Lie’s fortunes following their first relegation in 35 years.

Candidates had been given until Friday of last week to get their applications in, of which ten were received, to fill the void left by Billy Ogilvie, who resigned from the post in the wake of Arthurlie’s loss in the play-offs to Irvine Meadow XI.

Club President David Blakey said: “It is a disaster for a club like Arthurlie to get relegated, but we need to get it on with it and there is no point feeling sorry for ourselves.

“We just need the right guy to come in as it’s going to be a tough league next year and, hopefully, he can help us come back up again.

“The season as in friendlies starts soon and that’s why we have only given three days for applications to come in.

“The longer you wait for players you want they could end up signing for other clubs, so it’s important to get right person in as quickly as possible so we can get some players in.

“We have only got six players from last year’s squad, who have signed for next year, so we have got to be quick.”

But despite the short notice for candidates, Blakey indicated he was pleased with the quality and mixture of applications received and is confident the right person for the job can be found sooner rather than later.

Speaking on Monday ahead of the interviews he added: “We have received applications from managers and players, including some junior managers.

“It’s been a good mixture as well.

“We are interviewing three for now and will see how that goes.

“If one out of the first three is someone we really think is good enough and the right person for the job they will be offered the job because it will give them the opportunity to go and talk to players.

“I think an announcement will be made on Wednesday.”