OAKLEY UNITED have announced the appointment of former Clyde under-20s coach Richard Fox as their new manager.

The Blairwood Park outfit, who parted company with Lee Richardson last week, have moved quickly to install a successor in the shape of the former Falkirk Academy coach.

Fox, 36, is a former Oakley player who played during the tenure of former player/manager Willie Newbigging, who is now a member of the club's committee.

After working as a coach with the Falkirk Football Community Foundation, Fox took up the role as head coach of Clyde's under-20s side in the summer of 2016.

However, a year later, he resigned from his position for what the Bully Wee stated were "personal and family reasons" after guiding them to a seventh-place finish in the Development League West.

Oakley received four applications for the job but, speaking to the Press, Newbigging said: "The committee met over the weekend and we are delighted with what we think he can bring to the club.

"He has got his 'A' licence, which is a big part of it, and is honest and hard-working.

"He's from Falkirk and was involved in their academy, and even when he left Oakley when he was 19-20, he wanted to coach.

"He was at Clyde last season but he feels his next move is to be a manager. We've kept in touch over the years and he's very confident in his own ability.

"His CV is impressive."

We'll have more on this story in this Thursday's Press.