Only time will tell if seasoned defender Rhys Donaldson has scored an own goal off the pitch to compare with anything he has ever turned into his own net as a player.

The 28-year-old was one of a handful of highly-rated Rutherglen Glencairn signings - along with Dale Simeon, Stevie Kerr, Gary Smith and Jordan Leyden - to surprisingly turn down new deals with the Premier Division outfit and opt instead to drop down into the Conference leagues with Arthurlie.

The lure of a reunion with former Glens coach George Fotheringham, No.2 to Barrhead manager Andy McFadyen, proved an irresistible temptation for Rhys and Co, whose new season preparations got under way with a mixed bag of friendly results however an abrupt halt was called to plans when Arthurlie were among the first raft of clubs to decide on sitting out the WOSFL season.

Coveting eyes were soon trained on the Dunterlie dressing room and brought club officials to make the following statement earlier this week: "Arthurlie FC confirms that it has agreed in principle, to the release of the entire first team squad from their contracts, following constructive discussions between the Players, Management and Committee.

"This will afford the players the opportunity to continue playing football if they so wish, following the club's decision to withdraw from the inaugural West of Scotland Football League season, due to the ongoing impacts of Covid-19 restrictions. The club thanks the players for their cooperation and understanding through these difficult times and wishes them well in whatever they do in the season ahead.

"The club remain determined to come back stronger than ever for the 2021-22 season and the management team are committed to building a squad equally as exciting as this year's - possibly linking up with some familiar faces again in the process.

"Thank you once again to the supporters for your understanding throughout this period and we will strive to engage with you as much as possible in the weeks and months ahead.

"Stay safe everyone!"

In keeping with many team-mates, Donaldson has found himself the subject of signing approaches but up to now the Swinton-based ace has steadfastly refused to put pen to paper for a new club.

He explained: "Leyden has signed for Gartcairn but the rest of us, myself included, are in something of a state of limbo not least because none of us want to make another firm commitment when the likelihood remains of clubs being allowed to pull out by the new 14th November deadline.

"I certainly don’t want to throw my hat into any ring and risk another door closing in my face but I’m nevertheless keeping myself in some semblance of working order by taking part in training sessions with Kilsyth Rangers as well as one of my former clubs Rossvale.

"I’ve enjoyed the work-outs but it would be good to get back playing again though to do so competitively means I would need to sign for a Premier club."

The PE teacher who came into the Junior ranks with the Martin Lauchlan-steered Rossvale prior to a four-year stint at the heart of Glencairn's backline, added: "It’s a crying shame that our move to Arthurlie went so horribly wrong because there were signs of a decent team taking shape and it was really enjoyable to be again training under George as well as Arthurlie's other coaches Craig Palmer and Ryan McArdle whom I had previously played alongside at Glencairn.

"The club officials were terrific in their dealings with us and did not hesitate in allowing players to air their views about the best way forward during this virus and it would be fair to say the general consensus following a series of meetings involving all parties was that to play games without promotion or relegation and minus both fans though the gate as well as changing-room facilities would prove detrimental to players and ultimately the club itself.

"We backed their decision to withdraw and they in turn supported our wish to stay in the game by releasing every single player on the books to enable us to play elsewhere if we so decide."

Close behind Arthurlie in terms of a clearing of the decks are Petershill in the wake of the famous old Springburn club's similar decision to withdraw from the WOSFL’s inaugural 2020/21 campaign.

A total of 11 Peasy players have now moved to temporarily ply their trades elsewhere after loan deals were clinched for versatile defender Craig McGregor returning to former club Rutherglen Glencairn and Jack Breslin moving to Cumbernauld United hard on the heels of goalkeeper Scott Law joining Camelon along with former Stirling Albion frontman Kieran Campbell signing on the dotted line for Wishaw. 

Meanwhile, a further addition has been made to the list of clubs opting to withdraw from the new lower league set-up, now numbering 17 in total, as a result of alleged travelling issues forcing Dalry Thistle to announce an intention to pull out of Conference League C where they were the only Ayrshire-based outfit.

The 100-year-old club's terse statement read: "After consideration, the misjudgement of the league committee to draw our club into a league travelling a minimum of 35 mins to 1 hr 15 mins every second week without changing facilities has forced us to withdraw from this season's WOSFL."

FIXTURES FOR SATURDAY 7th NOVEMBER (kick offs 2pm)
WOSFL Premier Division Troon v Rossvale, Benburb v Beith, Largs Thistle v Irvine Meadow, Cumbernauld Utd v Rob Roy, Darvel v Kilwinning Rangers, Bonnyton Thistle v Clydebank, Hurlford Utd v Rutherglen Glencairn.
WOSFL Conference League A Maryhill v Annbank Utd, Bellshill Athletic v Ardeer Thistle, Muirkirk v Ashfield, Kello Rovers v Renfrew, Craigmark v Maybole.
WOSFL Conference League B Wishaw v Johnstone Burgh, Carluke Rovers v Vale of Leven, Greenock v Forth Wanderers, Gartcairn v St Cadoc's, Irvine Vics v Lugar Boswell, Vale of Clyde v Port Glasgow.
WOSFL Conference League C St Anthony's v East Kilbride Thistle, Yoker Athletic v Drumchapel Utd, Lanark Utd v Kilsyth Rangers, Larkhall Thistle v Thorniewood Utd.