OAKLEY UNITED are on the hunt for a new manager after they parted company with Richard Fox at the weekend.

The Blairwood Park club announced yesterday that the former Clyde under-20s coach had left the club following their 4-1 home defeat to Penicuik in the East of Scotland League.

That defeat leaves Oakley second bottom in Conference A, having picked up just four points from their opening eight matches, and was their fifth successive league loss.

Fox, a former coach with Falkirk's community programme and an ex-Oakley player, leaves after less than a year in charge, having been appointed in January in place of Lee Richardson.

An Oakley side struggling in junior football's East Region South Division immediately picked up, with a run of 11 wins, one draw and just one defeat helping them to a fourth-place finish.

They then made the move into the East of Scotland League for the start of the current campaign and, despite a promising start that included a credible draw at Newtongrange Star, Fox's tenure is at an end.

A statement released by the club read: "Due to recent performances and current league position, Oakley United are parting company with manager Richard Fox.

"Everyone at the club would like to thank Richard for all he has done since joining us, and we wish him all the best for the future."

Fox's departure means he is the third West Fife football boss to leave his post so far this season.

Last month, Richardson - who took charge of Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts following his departure from Blairwood - quit after a 6-1 loss at Edinburgh United, while Barry Ferguson was announced as the new manager of Lowland League Kelty Hearts on Thursday seven days after Thomas Courts' resignation.

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