FORMER Yoker Athletic manager John McAulay has admitted he is gutted to leave Holm Park — but insisted he had to go for the good of the club.

McAulay was forced out the exit door at Yoker due to a change in his work commitments, meaning he couldn’t give the time required to lead the team next season.

He said: “My job description has changed, the company I work for has joined up with a company in England and it means I will be working down south a fair bit.

“My Saturday shifts are changing as well so it meant I couldn’t give the club the commitment the team would require.

“The meeting we had was on the day of the League Cup semi-final against Blantyre and I told the committee shortly after.

“I am disappointed to be leaving the club but I would rather do it now than trying to muddle through part of the season and not being able to give 100 per cent to the club. It is for the best that it happens before the season begins.” McAulay originally took over as caretaker in March 2014 after ex-boss John Brogan departed.

Defender Steven Reilly is set to be named as the club’s player/manager as they prepare to start another campaign in the Super League First Division after McAulay led the side to safety last term.

And McAulay insists that he has left the club in a good state for his successor and is pleased with what the team achieved on his watch.

He added: “I feel that I have left the club in good shape, some players we had already signed up so there are a core of players there.

“I am proud of my time at the club as both manager and assistant manager. In my year as manager we consolidated our position in the Super League First, which is a difficult league to stay in with four teams gong down.

“Reaching the Scottish Cup quarter-final and the semi-final of the Central League Cup were good achievements so I was pleased with what the team were able to do while I was there.

“As I said to the committee, I wish the club all the best and hope they have a great season next year, I had a great eight years there as assistant and manager.”