A FORMER Largs Thistle manager has explained why he's chosen to step back into the dugout - despite vowing he would never manage again.

Bryan Slavin said the prospect of managing his home town team was "too much to resist" as the ex Jags boss was unveiled as the new man in the Saltcoats Victoria hot-seat.

Slavin took on his first managerial role in 2015 at Barrfields - where he managed Thistle to a memorable promotion in that same season.

But he resigned at the beginning of the 2016/17 campaign, not returning to the dugout for almost a year until he took the top job at Ardrossan Winton Rovers.

And with a vision for his new club in mind, Slavin is ready to stamp his authority on the Three Towns side after replacing Derek Frye.

He told the Herald: "To be honest, I'm very surprised to be involved again at this level.

"I had sworn myself off football management after previous experiences, however I have always enjoying the coaching side of the game.

"After working with my brother's TASS Thistle under-17s side this season, and seeing them make an impression in the later part of the season at Saltcoats, it became an attractive proposition when I heard Derek was leaving.

"The draw of my hometown team and the chance to develop and influence young players in the area was too much to resist."

Observers may feel Slavin has a monumental task on his hands - but he says he's more than up for the challenge.

The Vics were relegated from the West of Scotland Football League Third Division last season - finishing in last place and dropping down to the bottom tier.

They have also lost some key players from last year already, with the side's captain and top goalscorer Greg Kean leaving for Ardeer Thistle and second top scorer Callum McDade heading to Third Division champions Vale of Clyde.

But with a vision for the club, Slavin is confident he can begin to bring some pride back to Campbell Park.

He commented: "In the short term, all I'm looking to do is build a squad in the first part of the season that will make us competitive and give us a foothold to progress from.

"It is also important that local young players get the chance to play and develop.

"This is the model which I'm looking to build here - a space where young players will get plenty of minutes to play and express themselves without pressure or responsibility."

The new boss also says he has plans for Vics in the long run - and that he's determined he's in the role to stay.

Slavin continued: "In the long term, I'm looking to create an identity at the club for developing young, local talent.

"We don't have the resources to spend big annual budgets on players' wages, and so building a reputation as a club ready to nurture young local talent is the blueprint. 

"When that happens, the club will automatically start to progress up through the divisions, without me having to try and force it, which is the other part of my hopes for the club."

Slavin spent 12 years at Auchinleck Talbot, winning all there was to win at the old 'junior' level - including lifting the Scottish Junior Cup as captain of the East Ayrshire side.

He also featured in Talbot's agonising 1-0 defeat in the senior Scottish Cup to eventual winners Hearts in 2012.

A former Junior Scotland international, he 'retired' from playing after the 2012 Scottish Junior Cup final - though was lured into a short stint playing for the club he now manages.

He then landed at Dalry Thistle, where he held a coaching role alongside former teammate, and current Ardrossan Winton Rovers boss, Gavin Friels.

After his spell at Barrfields, Slavin was out of the dugout for almost a year until he was appointed as manager at Winton Park.

But he resigned from that role in March 2018 - saying that the players "did not support his methods".

He has been out of the game ever since - that is, until this week.