East Kilbride Thistle boss steps down just two weeks after signing contract extension

Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info East Kilbride Thistle has announced manager Mark Steele has stepped down - just two weeks after signing a contract extenson.

The Jags say Steele's decision is due to "circumstances outwith his control" and it comes in the aftermath of a 4-2 defeat at home to West Park United on Saturday in a West of Scotland Fourth Division clash. On March 31, Steele signed a new deal to keep him at the club for the 2025/26 season. A short club statement on social media read: "The club can confirm that Mark Steele has reluctantly stepped down with immediate effect due to circumstances outwith his control.



" Steele was previously the No.2 at the Showpark under Aaron Connolly but took the reins in September when Connolly left for an ill-fated, short-lived spell in charge of West of Scotland Third Division side Wishaw. Speaking to Lanarkshire Live Sport in the aftermath of Thistle's defeat to West Park on Saturday, Steele said their first-half performance was amongst their best of the season, and they could have been “six or seven up” by the interval, despite missing eight players.

Goals from Declan Morrison and Ryan Menzies had Thistle ahead, and Steele said: “Apart from the first half against Easterhouse, the first 45 is the best we’ve put together all season. “We went in at half-time, told the boys nothing needs to change, but asked them to be a wee bit more stubborn for the first 15 minutes, take more of a sting out of the game, and not to let them back into it. “We conceded within a couple of minutes, and you could visibly see shoulders shrinking.

“They got a free kick, the boy scores from 30 yards into the top corner. We then go to clear a ball, it deflects off one of our players and puts them in. “We were chasing an equaliser late on and they hit us on the counter.

I’m delighted with the first-half performance, but frustrated by the heads going down in a wee bit of adversity.” Thistle, who are 11th in their division, aren’t back in action until April 26 when they host Knightswood..