Kieran McAnespie admits he is gutted that this weekend’s game will be his last as Bankies manager.

The club announced on Wednesday evening that the Holm Park boss has decided to leave the club following the match with Largs Thistle on Saturday – his 100th game in the hot seat.

But with his wife expecting their second child in early October and the pressure of starting a new job around the same time, the Clydebank manager insists it wouldn’t be fair on anybody to remain in the role.

He told the Post: “It’s a reluctant decision based on personal circumstances and starting a new job.

“I would not want to do a half-hearted job as Clydebank manager - I’m either all in or all out.

“I could have waited another couple of weeks, but it would just be delaying the inevitable and I would have to call it a day further down the line.

“I’m gutted to make this decision because I love what I’m doing and the club has something good going.

“I wanted to be the one to get them back into the senior game, but unfortunately circumstances have dictated that is not going to be the case.

"It's an incredible bunch of boys we have moulded together, but my family has got to take priority. ”

The 39-year-old joined the Holm Park side in January 2017, following the departure of Budgie McGhie after 13 years in charge.

The club won promotion back to the West Region Premiership during his first season in charge, before going on to lift the Sectional League Cup in November 2017.

Last season, they finished eighth in the top flight and reached the quarter-finals of the Scottish Junior Cup.

Their 2-1 away win over Kirkintilloch Rob Roy last weekend marked their first back-to-back league wins this season and saw them move up to 11th in the table.

He added: “You don’t want to leave any club particularly when things are going well. Irrespective of a couple of bad results, we weren’t in a bad place.

“I’m thankful for the opportunity the club gave me to put my stamp on things and it’s been an incredible journey - winning promotion in a short space of time, the Sectional League Cup way ahead of schedule and being 30 seconds from the Scottish Cup semi-final last year.

“For me the highlight, however, has been the experience of working with young players and developing them. We were building a reputation to get the best young players in the area and give them an opportunity in the first team and I hope the club continue to do that.”

While the Bankies board searches for his successor, assistant boss Sean Higgins will step into the role of interim manager, with interviews for the managerial position due to be held early next week.

Following Wednesday’s announcement, a statement on the club website said: “We’d like to put on record our thanks to Kieran for all his efforts, and wish him and his family all the very best for the future."