Published: Wednesday, 9th June, 2010 3:00pm

LIE SNAP UP EX LEEDS MIDFIELDER

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ARTHURLIE have already started re-building their squad for next season after announcing the signing of ex Leeds United starlet Steven McKeown.

The 23-year-old local lad has joined the Barrhead club from Albion Rovers, where he made 23 appearances last year and scored two goals.

It is hoped that the midfielder will be a useful addition for the Lie and will help them challenge for the title when the season kicks off.

McKeown started his fledgling career at Leeds United's Academy before returning north to sign for Alloa Athletic where he made 71 starts in a spell between 2006 and 2009.

More additions are sure to be made to the team over the close season, after Lie's marathon campaign finally came to an end on Saturday.

And although it was a disappointing 3-0 defeat at the hands of newly promoted Cumnock, Lie had simply run out of steam.

Mark Cameron and his team used a total of 23 players over the year in securing second spot in the Super League behind winners Beith.

A run to the semi-finals of the West of Scotland Cup ended in bitter disappointment when Irvine Meadow triumphed on penalties, while a poor showing at home against Clydebank saw Arthurlie exit the Central League Cup at the first hurdle.

And Hill O'Beath put an end to the Barrhead side's Scottish Cup dream in the fourth round.

The Sectional League Cup remained in Barrhead after a Frank McKeown goal saw Arthurlie become the first club in the 41 year history of the cup to retain the trophy after a 1-0 victory over Shotts Bob Accord in a rerun of the previous year's final.

Saturday also saw another Arthurlie player join the centurion club as Sean Winter racked up his 100th start for the Lie.

Midfielder Winter joined the Lie in 2007 from East Kilbride and has become a fans' favourite for his non-stop displays over the past three seasons.

Winter made his first start for Arthurlie in a 3-0 Sectional League quarter-final tie against Clydebank where John Bradford netted a brace and Craig Malcolm added another.

His first goal of a total of 32 scored for the club came against Auchinleck in a three two defeat.

This season Winter's 12 goals is his biggest return for the club, following 10 in both his previous two seasons.

Although the season has ended Barrhead Sport will keep you up to date with the comings and goings during what looks like being a very short pre-season indeed.