It is bitter pill for the ‘Lie committee to swallow, having given the rookie management trio their first chance in the dugout only 15 weeks ago. However they have decided to up sticks to Glenafton having all played for the Ayrshire club at some point throughout their careers.

It is a move which has been greeted with cynicism from some quarters, with many taking to social media to slam the new Glens management team for walking out on Arthurlie days before Saturday’s crucial Scottish Cup tie with Kirkintilloch Rob Roy.

However the outgoing McEwan insists he never applied for the job.

He told Barrhead Sport: “The deal came completely out of the blue. I got a phone call from Andy Pollock (Arthurlie secretary) on Saturday to say John Stewart (Glenafton secretary) had phoned and to tell me Glenafton were going to be in touch.

“John Stewart asked to meet with me, which I did as I had been at Glenafton a long time and enjoyed many successful years at the club. We had a chat about the position on Saturday but no decision was made at that point.

“Stevie Kerrigan and Craig Potter came over to my house to discuss the situation, we sat for hours discussing our options and what we thought we should do, it was never an easy decision to make as Arthurlie had given me a chance.

“But I live and die by the sword, I never did anything under hand and I know I have conducted myself in the right manner.” Having come under fire for his decision to depart, McEwan is quick to defend himself, adding: “I leave Arthurlie gutted, I’m distraught in all honesty.

“I’m kind of gutted with some of the flack I have taken for my decision, I‘ve removed myself from some sections of social media, naturally there is going to be stick, it eats away at me.

“I want to be liked as much as anyone else.” Arthurlie are now on the hunt for a new manager, with the application process already under way.

The rumour mill is already in full spin with former Linlithgow Rose manager Mark Bradley, ex-Arthurlie stalwart Del McCulloch and Blantyre Vics’ Davie Greig all being suggested. However one man who will not be taking the reins is former applicant Bryan Slavin, who has taken over at Largs Thistle.