BrownDog2
15th November 2005, 09:49
Northey signs up to coach Swans
BALLARAT Football Club yesterday trumpeted the arrival of master coach John Northey as the man to lead it into next year and beyond.
The Swans secured the signature of the AFL legend on the weekend in one of the biggest recruiting coups in Ballarat Football League history.
Northey, 62, has committed to coach the Swans for at least two seasons.
He will also take on a management position of the club's new function centre - Afredton Sports and Community Club - as part of the deal.
Northey coached more than 300 games at VFL-AFL level with four clubs - Sydney, Melbourne, Richmond, and Brisbane.
He also played alongside Melton coach Ron Thomas at Richmond.
Northey's most recent coaching stint was in 2003 with South Fremantle in the Western Australian Football League.
He said he was looking forward to developing Ballarat's young list.
"It's not as if I'm coming in here from the cold," he said.
"I've been involved in football ever since I left the AFL (in 1998).
"The thing I like most is working with the young players and teaching them."
Northey's passion for coaching ignited in the 1970s when he steered Redan to three consecutive premierships from 1975-77.
Northey admitted it would feel strange to coach against the club he loves dearly.
The favourite son was the first member to be inducted into Redan's Hall of Fame this year.
"There's probably a few Redan people who would be a bit disappointed with me now," he said.
"We had enormous success at Redan in that time and without those achievements on my resume, there's no way that I would've ever coached at VFL-AFL level.
"I love Redan and would do anything for the people there. But it has been 30 years since I coached there and I guess we'll be enemies when we meet on the field next year."
Northey was also the coach of the untouchable BFL inter-league country championship teams of 1981-84.
Ballarat president Shane Manley said he was "over the moon" with the signing of Northey.
He hoped it would help attract some big-name players to Alfredton Oval during the off-season.
The appointment ended the club's long search to replace Ben Ingleton.
Northey edged Brian `Butch' Phillips out for the job.
"John is perfect for us," Mr Manley said.
"We think his arrival here represents the start of a new era for us."
Northey said he had rejected offers to coach at other clubs in recent months.
The chance to manage the function centre attracted him to the Swans.
Northey has always shared his passion for football with managing bars and restaurants across Australia.
He said he hoped to settle in Ballarat for good.
"This is definitely the last coaching job I will take on," he said.
He is in the process of re-locating from the Gold Coast.
Ballarat began pre-season training last night. Northey said he would "ease" himself into the role.
BALLARAT Football Club yesterday trumpeted the arrival of master coach John Northey as the man to lead it into next year and beyond.
The Swans secured the signature of the AFL legend on the weekend in one of the biggest recruiting coups in Ballarat Football League history.
Northey, 62, has committed to coach the Swans for at least two seasons.
He will also take on a management position of the club's new function centre - Afredton Sports and Community Club - as part of the deal.
Northey coached more than 300 games at VFL-AFL level with four clubs - Sydney, Melbourne, Richmond, and Brisbane.
He also played alongside Melton coach Ron Thomas at Richmond.
Northey's most recent coaching stint was in 2003 with South Fremantle in the Western Australian Football League.
He said he was looking forward to developing Ballarat's young list.
"It's not as if I'm coming in here from the cold," he said.
"I've been involved in football ever since I left the AFL (in 1998).
"The thing I like most is working with the young players and teaching them."
Northey's passion for coaching ignited in the 1970s when he steered Redan to three consecutive premierships from 1975-77.
Northey admitted it would feel strange to coach against the club he loves dearly.
The favourite son was the first member to be inducted into Redan's Hall of Fame this year.
"There's probably a few Redan people who would be a bit disappointed with me now," he said.
"We had enormous success at Redan in that time and without those achievements on my resume, there's no way that I would've ever coached at VFL-AFL level.
"I love Redan and would do anything for the people there. But it has been 30 years since I coached there and I guess we'll be enemies when we meet on the field next year."
Northey was also the coach of the untouchable BFL inter-league country championship teams of 1981-84.
Ballarat president Shane Manley said he was "over the moon" with the signing of Northey.
He hoped it would help attract some big-name players to Alfredton Oval during the off-season.
The appointment ended the club's long search to replace Ben Ingleton.
Northey edged Brian `Butch' Phillips out for the job.
"John is perfect for us," Mr Manley said.
"We think his arrival here represents the start of a new era for us."
Northey said he had rejected offers to coach at other clubs in recent months.
The chance to manage the function centre attracted him to the Swans.
Northey has always shared his passion for football with managing bars and restaurants across Australia.
He said he hoped to settle in Ballarat for good.
"This is definitely the last coaching job I will take on," he said.
He is in the process of re-locating from the Gold Coast.
Ballarat began pre-season training last night. Northey said he would "ease" himself into the role.