FOOTBALL: Rangers begin hunt for new boss

King, a former Ballyclare Comrades player, had steadied the ship at the 2C club and leaves them in a healthy fifth position in the table.

Back in November he had attracted the attention of the Wilbourne Park outfit after they parted company with Davy Rollo. But he turned down an offer to take over, saying the timing wasn’t right.

While he admitted he was flattered by the interest, he said he had built a squad at Grange capable of winning promotion.

In early December, Islandmagee looked to Mark Duff with Ballyclare man Craig Hegarty as part of his backroom team. However, Duff quit the club last week and the Premier Division outfit moved quickly to get their man.

It’s been a turbulent season for the Island, but in a statement issued to the Times they said were ‘confident they have now got a long-term future manager’.

Grange Rangers’ chairman, Ivan Higgins, said: “We want to thank Stephen for his service over the last 18 months. Of course, we’re disappointed to lose him, but we can’t stand in his way.

“There are no hard feelings and we wish him all the very best in his new role.”

Higgins also confirmed King had taken ‘a few players with him’.

Grange were idle at the weekend with their Cochrane Corry Cup tie against Kelvin Old Boys was postponed owing to a waterlogged pitch at Foundry Lane.

Anyone interested in applying to become the new manager of Grange Rangers should contact Mr. Higgins on 07989 697304.