OAKLEY UNITED are looking for a new manager after it was announced Lee Richardson has left the club.

The club have this morning released a short statement confirming that Richardson, together with assistant manager John Steele, have left Blairwood Park after a season-and-a-half in charge.

Richardson, who had previously coached and played for Oakley, was appointed as Craig Cowan's replacement in September 2016 after leaving his role as Dundonald Bluebell assistant manager in July of the same year.

Oakley were beaten 3-0 at derby rivals Crossgates Primrose on Saturday and that proved to be his final game in charge.

He took to Twitter last night to confirm his departure, commenting: "Well after 10 years as a coach and manager my time has come, I have been let go as manager of Oakley United after a season and a half in charge, thanks to all the players that have played for me over the years. "

The club then released a statement this morning, which read: "Last night Oakley United parted company with coaches Lee Richardson and John Steele.

"We would like to thank Lee and John for there efforts over the last 18 months and wish them all the best in the future.

"Any queries about the vacant managers job, contact secretary Dougie Hynd."

The former Rosyth manager took over a United team winless in their opening four league games - which included an 8-1 thrashing at Blackburn United - but guided them to an eighth place finish in the South Division.

So far in this campaign, they have won five of their South Division matches and sit 10th, while they were beaten in the third round of the Junior Cup by Linlithgow Rose.

An inconsistent campaign was marred in November when, during an East of Scotland Cup defeat at home to Tranent, goalkeeper Ross Wortley was dismissed for brawling with his own supporters.

After being subjected to taunts throughout the first half, Wortley confronted some supporters before fighting broke out, with the player red-carded at half-time and subsequently handed a six-game ban.

Richardson is the second managerial departure from a West Fife junior club this week after Rosyth parted company with Barry Cockburn after a 7-0 defeat to Harthill Royal on Saturday.