Elgin City has dismissed Allan Hale with immediate effect after finding gross misconduct, ending the 38-year-old’s spell in charge of the club. Assistant Stefan Laird was promoted to acting manager on 11 May, four days after the club suspended Hale.

The club said the move followed the conclusion of an internal investigation carried out under its policies and procedures. It added that it will make no further comment on the matter.

Hale took charge of Elgin City in December 2023 and had previously managed Highland League clubs Huntly and Keith. He also played for Fraserburgh. Elgin finished sixth in Scotland’s fourth tier before his suspension, and the club said it can now focus fully on appointing a new manager and continuing player recruitment plans.

The dismissal closes a fast-moving period for a club that had already turned to Laird to steady the first team while the investigation ran its course. With Hale gone, Elgin now faces the more practical task of deciding who leads the side next and how quickly it can move on its transfer work before the new campaign gathers pace.

The club has made clear it considers the investigation complete and the matter closed. What remains is the shape of the rebuild, with Elgin trying to protect momentum after a season that ended in mid-table in Scotland’s fourth tier and a managerial change that arrived with little warning.