McQueenie delighted to become the king at Easthouses Lily

McQueenie, 38, has been an Easthouses player for over a decade and, after a serious cruciate ligament injury over a year ago, he has been assistant to janczyk.

"When Keith resigned two weeks ago after our 1-1 draw with Tollcross United, the committee approached me and asked if I would like to be the manager," said McQueenie.

"I had been helping Keith since the beginning of the season so I immediately said ‘no problem’ because we genuinely have a very good squad of players and all we need is that they gel better together.

"This has not been the greatest season so far but we have won two and drawn one of our last three games, including a good 2-1 away win against Eyemouth United on Saturday when we showed a better fighting spirit throughout the game.

"It was most encouraging and even this week at training there has been a difference because all the players have been buzzing.

That is exactly what I want from our players.

"I need players who desperately want to train and play their hearts out for Easthouses Lily."

McQueenie may have been in the hot seat for only a couple of weeks but already he has been busy in the transfer market.

"He has signed striker Scott Borthwick from Dunbar United and McQueenie was immediately rewarded when his signing scored both goals against Eyemouth.

Willie Sives has also been encouraged to return to Easthouses after a spell with Coldstream while Alan Conlon, who drifted away from the game earlier in the season, has committed himself to McQueenie.

"Taking on the job is definitely a challenge," added McQueenie. "However, it is one I am looking forward to and I said to the departing Keith that the only way is up as we are currently third bottom of the First Division."

It is not only on the field that Easthouses face challenges. Their isolated changing rooms were vandalised two weeks ago when intruders ran amok and destroyed the interior while stealing strips and footballs.

"It was a huge blow," said McQueenie. "We obviously don’t have a lot of money and we cannot understand while local people would want to do this to their local football club. The players have actually to pay to play for Easthouses.

"They really are a fantastic bunch of players and I have the utmost respect for them."

McQueenie has a mixture of experience and youth with 40-year-old Andy Waddell very committed to serving the club as a central defender.

Neil Hamilton is only 21 but has been the Lily’s most consistent performer all season while striker David Beattie has come on in leaps and bounds.

Colin Heriot, at just 19, is a sweeper with a huge future in the game if he can curb his disciplinary situation.

"I really am looking forward to managing Easthouses Lily and my immediate aim is to catch up with a few of the teams above us," concluded McQueenie.

FOR further information on East Seniors football log on to the website www.eastofscotlandfa.org