BOSSES at Tranent Juniors FC have rubbished reports that two coaches resigned because of the appointment of a convicted drug dealer to the club's training staff.

Ex-police officer Chris McGinn - sentenced to 26 months in jail in October 2009 for dealing cocaine - has been hired as an assistant coach, alongside Jason McGrindle, to work with the Juniors' club manager Tam Shields.

Alistair Skillen, who was hired to assist Mr Shields about three months ago while the latter dealt with family commitments, has reportedly claimed to have resigned in protest at Mr McGinn's hiring. Jamie Bissett, a coach brought to the club by Mr Skillen, and his son, top scorer Jonny Bissett, have also departed the club in the last week.

Mr Skillen is reported as saying he was "disgusted" by Mr McGinn's appointment and that "as soon as I found out I wasn't ever going in".

However, club chiefs say that the real reason for Mr Skillen's departure was a changing room clash at the club's away game at Livingston on November 19, which saw ex-captain and goalkeeper Sinclair Inglis suspended pending an ongoing internal investigation.

Neil Martin, club president, told the Courier that he'd received a letter of resignation from Mr Skillen last Wednesday - five days prior to McGinn's appointment.

Mr Shields added: "The appointment of Chris McGinn only happened because Ally Skillen decided to walk. It is a mystery to me why Ally would now be saying it was because of Chris. To me it sounds like sour grapes.

"As far as I know Ally resigned because he felt I was condoning the behaviour of Sinclair Inglis. That is absolutely not the case.

"I appreciate why people may have concerns but Chris has been open about his past, he has paid for his crime and we feel he deserves a second chance." Mr Skillen could not be reached for comment.