John Bailie has been appointed as manager of Bluefin Sport Championship club Ards at the weekend.

In a statement on the club’s official website; “Following a thorough selection process over the last few days, the Ards F.C. Board is delighted to confirm that John Bailie has been appointed as our new First Team Manager.”

A former player with the club, John Bailie fills the vacancy left by the departure of Warren Feeney to Bulgaria, last month with the North Down club in sixth place in the Championship table.

Bailie watched on as his new side lost 2-1 to Portadown, caretaker manager Craig McLean took charge from the dugout at Shamrock Park but has now left the club having served Ards as a player and assistant manager over the last few seasons.

The new manager’s first game in charge will be the trip to Dundela this coming Saturday in the Bluefin Sport Championship (kick-off: 3pm).