St Cuthbert Wanderers appoint Josh Gardner as new manager

St Cuthbert Wanderers have moved quickly to appoint a new manager.

The South of Scotland League champions have picked Josh Gardner (pictured) to replace Jordan Williamson, who left to take the reins at Dalbeattie Star earlier this month.

The former Albion Rovers, Clyde and Gartcairn coach will be assisted by Scott Black with Paul Hilston and Ian Clark, as well as long-serving St Cuthbert Wanderers player Raymond Gordon, as coaches.

He said: “St Cuthberts have got quite a contingency of central belt players and I’ve coached a lot of them beforehand. I think the contact came through a couple of them and I think the recommendation came through John Renwick.

“I had a meeting with the committee and they seemed to like what I said.

“I’m a central belt guy as well and, if I’m being totally honest, before a couple of the central boys signed for Saints I didn’t really know who they were, so I’ve only really known about them for a season. A lot of those guys speak really highly of the committee, the facilities and how they’re treated.

“When I went down to the ground I was really impressed, it would give a lot of the central belt clubs a run for their money. Facilities wise it’s probably one of the best you’ll see.

“I thought the committee were brilliant, they had a real enthusiasm for the game, you can tell they love the club and they can’t do enough for you.”

Gardner has had coaching stints with several central belt clubs including Gartcairn and SPFL sides Albion Rovers and Clyde, where he was involved with development teams as well as enjoying some opportunities with the first team.

He also had spells with Royal Albert and East Kilbride Thistle before taking amateur side AS Airdrie to their best league finish in a decade and a