Waddell has left the club to take the reins as under-20s manager at Scottish Championship side Dumbarton with immediate effect. He will team up once again with boss Stevie Aitken and his number two Stevie Farrell having previously worked with the pair at Stranraer.

The former Lie striker however insists it wasn’t as straight forward a decision as many might assume.

Waddell told Barrhead Sport: “I’m not going to lie, this was an opportunity that I couldn’t turn down — but at first I wasn’t too sure.

“It was going to take something special for me to leave Arthurlie, I would never have left for another junior club, it is a club I have a great bond with and will always hold dear to me.

“When Stevie Aitken first approached me I honestly didn’t know. But having had the time to mull it over I felt that I didn’t want to be sitting in a few years time thinking, ‘What if?’ “I leave with some fantastic memories, we done what we came into to do — keep the team in the league — and we won the West of Scotland Cup. Those were great achievements.” Waddell leaves behind manager and close friend Robert Downs in charge at Arthurlie having only joined up in February. Their short time working together ticked off a long-time ambition for the pair to work together in a coaching capacity, having previously terrorised defences as a devastating strikeforce at Lie and rivals Pollok in their playing days.

Waddell has no reservations in tipping Arthurlie for the very top this season and admits he will be watching on with intent as he hopes Lie climb the ranks.

He added: “This is a great group of boys at the club. Throughout the side there is competition for places and as a unit they are extremely well drilled.

“We were the first to admit that last season never ended in the manner that we would have hoped, but the aim was always to just stay in the league and we managed that.

“I firmly believe Arthurlie are moving in the right direction. In Robert they have one of the most determined guys in the game. You won’t meet someone more focused on getting Arthurlie up to where we believe that they belong. He has Arthurlie in his heart and will stop at nothing to succeed.

“I’m not saying they will win the league, but I’m also not saying that they won’t. There is a great bunch of lads there, the squad has been strengthened and as you could see against Pollok they are looking like they could challenge. That would be fantastic.” Looking ahead to his new challenge Waddell says he can’t wait to get going. A quick turnaround seen him start at training on Tuesday night and he has high hopes of succeeding in his new role.

Working with the youth players is something he is keen to do, as well as gaining valuable experience with the first team on matchdays.

Waddell explained: “When you have worked with certain people before and an opportunity like this comes up then it obviously turns your head.

“I have aspirations of coaching and this was just a fantastic opportunity. I’m relishing the challenge of nurturing and coaching the young players at Dumbarton and hopefully unearthing a gem.

“If I do my job right I will hopefully get a couple of guys into the first team, that is the aim and I can’t wait to get started. The opportunity to help out now and then with the first team was also a big pull, and to go to grounds like Easter Road and Ibrox will be a fantastic opportunity for me.” With another spell at Arthurlie now behind him Waddell admits he leaves with a heavy heart.

Pre season plans were well and truly in motion and he insists his departure will not stall them in the slightest. Waddell says he leaves with fantastic memories and cherishes the time he spent in the Dunterlie dugout.

He added: “I loved my time there, everyone knows that. Arthurlie are a great club, one of the biggest junior clubs in the country, and I have a lot of time for everybody there.

“The best thing for me is that I leave with everyone’s blessing. Everyone has been fantastic and no one has stood in my way. To me that is the main thing and I appreciate the time and the experience I’ve had at the club.

“I mean it when I say I’ll be watching out for the results every week and I’ll make it along to as many games as I possibly can.

“There is nothing I want more than for Arthurlie to have a successful season.

“I’ll be back one day, no doubt about it.”