By james art 
Just three weeks after resigning from his role at Irvine Meadow, Ben Carson has crossed the city line to take up the role at Victoria Park.
It’s a move similar to the one the new boss made in his playing days after featuring in midfield for the Vics for three years from 2010 to 2013.
Three years after leaving, after a stint at Ardrossan Winton Rovers, Carson signed for Irvine Meadow.
He will spend five seasons in blue before retiring, initially taking on the role of coaching the club’s under-20 side before moving to the first team at the end of 2023.
He held the role for more than a year before resigning earlier this year – although he has now found himself back in the management game.
The move was announced by Irvine Victoria on Saturday, January 25, alongside various other personnel changes at the club.
Following their appointment as co-managers until the end of the season – after the club parted ways with Stuart McDuff – Kevin Adam and Stephen Gaffney will vacate that position and return to the playing squad full-time.
A spokesman for Irvine Victoria added: “Both have been integral in providing stability and performance for the team each week.
“With their support, the club will now transition to a new management team and both will continue as players and are delighted to return to playing duties.”
Shortly afterwards, Carson was confirmed as the new first team manager, with Lee McCrea supporting him as assistant manager and Nick Coles taking over as first team coach.
The spokesman continued: “The club looks forward to working with Ben and his team as we aim to stay in the Third Division this season and build for the future.”
Carson’s first game in charge will be on Saturday, February 1, when his side host Ardeer Thistle in a North Ayrshire derby.
The Vics will be hoping this is the first step on their road to safety, with the club currently five points adrift of the relegation zone.