Published: Wednesday, 4th June, 2008 10:05am

Whe-ho bosses" shock retiral

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YOKER Athletic management duo Jim and Les George have left the Holm Park helm - and retired from the game completely.

The brothers" resignations will shock the Yoker faithful but Jim told the Post he was hopeful a replacement would have been in before the season finished.

Jim said: 'When I came back I said I would only give it five years. I"ve really enjoyed my time at Yoker though it"s been hard, hard work.

'It has been a real family affair with my brother Les, nephews Garry and Graeme.

'Even my daughter Vivienne worked behind the bar. We did everything from picking the team to putting the nets up before the game but it was a labour of love, never a chore.

'It is time for someone else to take a shot and see where they can take the club, but there is now the base to build on.'

Neither Jim nor Les took the decision lightly, but their move to spend more time with their families is well earned, having each spent more than 30 years in the game.

Over the years, the brothers have undertaken various jobs at Dumbarton, Renfrew, Pollok and Petershill to name just a few, and were in their third spell in the Yoker home dug-out.

The latest stint came after the resignations from two of their former players, Jim Hamilton and Martin Melvin, who Jim admits just did not have the fortune they deserved.

He said: 'When I gave it up the last time, I probably shouldn"t have come back but it just didn"t happen for the two guys, though they gave it everything they had.

'We were asked to take it on for two games, the Scottish Cup and the Clydebank match. We drew against Clydebank then won in the cup and that was us hooked again.'

The Whe-Ho finished mid-table in the Central District First Division this season, enjoying a push for promotion until the final few games.

And this is in no small part down to the efforts of the committed Whe-Ho duo, who have helped to rebuild the club over the years, most recently with Gerry Mehigan (Wee Gerry) and Gerry McLaughlin (Big Gerry) in toe.

It is certain both Jim and Les will be sorely missed, and such is their love for the game, it remains to be seen whether the duo can resist the temptation to return to management once more.

But Jim, spotted at Stamford Bridge last week, is quick to play down such rumours.

He added: 'There comes a time when you know it"s right to step down. We did the stadium tour at Chelsea which was great fun, but, unless Roman Abramovich throws silly money at me, I"m definitely retired for good.'