ONE of the biggest names in Ayrshire Amateur Football have been forced to fold.

Knockentiber AFC on Sunday resigned from the Ayrshire Amateur FA, ending for now at least a glittering 52-year history which saw them win everything in the game.

However the village club are refusing to rule out a return - if people are willing to take on the challenge.

The news comes weeks after Irvine team Clark Drive AFC folded.

The Ayrshire Amateur FA said tweeted on Sunday night: "It is with regret that the Association confirms the resignation of Knockentiber AFC as of today, 24th

September. All players will be released with immediate effect and the league tables will be adjusted accordingly."

Secretary Murray Black said: "It's really sad news we have had to fold as the club have been very successful over the years. But our problems were similar to Clark Drive. Some players didn't have the right attitude. It was difficult to get some of them to come along to training during the week although I know in some cases childcare was an issue. The manager Andrew Cooper did his best earlier this season and left a couple of weeks ago and then some players took on the team but things didn't work out.

"If someone did want to take the team on again at some point after this season the infrastructure is there, we have a ground and training kit all here."

The village side swept all before them during their best period from the 70s to the 90s. They won the Famous Grouse Scottish Cup in 1973, 1981 and 1997, all under the management of the legendary Hugh Carswell. They also won a host of West of Scotland Cup crowns and around 30 top flight league titles.

Brian Hewitt, who was the goalie in the 1997 Scottish Cup final said: "It's really sad news, my old team-mate George Watt called me to ask what I had heard about Knockentiber on Sunday. They were famous all over Scotland and had so many successes and I have great memories of the Scottish Cup final at Hampden. That was a great year as we also won the league and West of Scotland Cup.

"I went on to play for Beith, Neilston and Irvine Meadow and am now goalkeeping coach with Auchinleck Talbot and Martin Baxter and Stuart Rorison also went on to play for Talbot. I was there for two seasons and we had a great team."