Former Lie left-back Mark Blakey has returned to the club following a short spell away.

Blakey, who netted the equaliser in last season’s West of Scotland Cup semi-final at Irvine Meadow, had departed in the summer to join Lowland League side East Kilbride.

However, he has been welcomed back to Dunterlie with open arms with boss Robert Downs trying to round off his squad for the coming season.

Downs said: “When someone of the quality of Mark Blakey becomes available then you are going to be interested.

“We are delighted to have Mark back for this season. He is a great lad, a good guy to have in the changing room and he gives us he even more options in the defence.” Elsewhere, winger Ryan McArdle has departed Dunterlie.

The midfielder, who originally signed from Pollok, had been a stalwart for Lie over the past couple of seasons.

He had put in an inspired performance in the West of Scotland final at the tailend of last season but was said to be disappointed with the amount of game time he was going to receive.

Downs commented: “We couldn’t guarantee Ryan the amount of games that he wanted to play so he agreed to let him go.

“The club would like to thank Ryan for his efforts throughout his time at the club. He has been a great servant to Arthurlie and we would like to wish him all the best for the future.” And finally, former Arthurlie midfielder Alan Muir has joined Rutherglen Glencairn.

Glens had been keen to strengthen their ranks and the tough-tackling midfielder is their latest recruit.