McEwan, alongside his assistants Stevie Kerrigan and Craig Potter departed the club last night to take up the reins at Loch Park.

A statement on the Glenafton website announcing the appointments read that the two clubs had come to some form of agreement over McEwan’s move, but the Arthurlie secretary insists that isn’t the case.

He told Barrhead Sport: “I would just like to make it clear to our supporters that Arthurlie never gave Glenafton permission to speak to Craig McEwan.

“Glenafton did say they were going to speak to him but we never once gave our permission.

“The problem we have is that Craig wasn’t working to a contract, he was working on a non-contract basis, so we couldn’t really do anything about it.

“We are obviously disappointed, Craig informed myself and David Blakey at around half past eight last night of his intention to leave and we can’t stand in his way, he was obviously upset himself, “But we tried our very best to keep him at the club. Our only grievance is that Glenafton have misled our supporters when they say they sought permission.” The players return to training tomorrow night ahead of Saturday’s Scottish Cup fixture with Kirkintilloch Rob Roy.

With the management team departing, goalkeeping coach Billy Peacock will take temporary control of first team affairs.