The Ards board of directors have accepted the resignation of first team manager Justin McBride.

Justin McBride

Following the team's recent poor run, that included five defeats in succession, the manager resigned his position to the chairman with immediate effect. Assistant manager Paul McKnight departs along with him. The club's players were told the news by Justin at Tuesday's training.

Chairman Brian Adams thanked the manager for his efforts and explained how the club will proceed. "Since Justin ended his playing career with Ards and then worked alongside the former manager as his assistant, he has always been fully committed to the task. Unfortunately this season's results have not been as good as we all hoped.

"The board will aim to have a new manager in place shortly. To this end the post will not be advertised, but rather the board will discuss the names of a few individuals prior to making an approach.

"With no fixture scheduled for this weekend, the board has certain time to consider who we feel is the best candidate, but we would like to see someone in place as soon as possible.

Justin McBride played 66 times in an Ards shirt and scored 16 goals before finally retiring at the end of the 2008/09 season. From 2007 he also acted as assistant to former manager Tommy Kincaid, before replacing him as manager in August 2010. Paul McKnight is also a former Ards player, turning out 24 times between 2009 and this season.

12th October 2011

ardsfc.co.uk