Noarlunga coach Barry Pilmore quits following Southern Football League 2019 grand final loss
A legendary Southern Football League coach has walked away from his club after a shock grand final loss, saying he needs a break from the game.
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Southern Football League Hall of Famer Barry Pilmore has quit as Noarlunga coach after four years at the helm.
Pilmore, 59, and in his third stint as Shoes’ boss, made the decision following an upset 33-point grand final defeat to Flagstaff Hill last month.
Noarlunga was unbeaten until the decider but was able to celebrate Nicholas Mott’s back-to-back Mail Medals, a B-grade flag and joint B-grade medallists.
He made at least the preliminary final each campaign in his recent stint including another losing grand final in 2017 – also to the Falcons.
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Pilmore said the time was right to have a break from football and spend more time with wife Jenny.
“Maybe when I think about it I went a year too long but I just love being involved,’’ Pilmore said.
“The (grand final) loss was crushing and as coach you are paid to get results. We had a good year but didn’t get the prize.
“You put in the time and effort and sometimes you don’t get the fairytale. It’s time to let someone younger have a go.
“I plan to travel and go cruising with Jenny but who knows she might tell me to get back into footy.
“You never say never but it’s time for a rest now.’’
Noarlunga president Mark Anderson said Pilmore’s departure was “a huge loss’’.
“We are very disappointed to lose Barry,’’ Anderson said.
“As a bloke and a coach he’s the best.
“From a personal viewpoint it is going to be tough and is a really huge loss for our club.
“Barry and me grew up as seven year olds living one street apart in Moana and played our junior footy at Noarlunga and then seniors before Barry coached and played in other places.
“Barry’s record speaks for itself. I think the grand final loss affected him more than we could understand.
“The A grade just had one bad day in an excellent season. And Flagstaff Hill is a great club. We always felt they were the ones to chase.
“They had won three (flags) in a row so were always going to be hard to beat.
“We hope Barry can take some time out and refresh and hopefully will see him at games next season.’’
Pilmore was held in such a high regard in both the SFL and Great Southern Football League that the associations play for the Pilmore Cup which is played annually on the June long weekend.
He was at the helm of six Willunga GSFL premierships between 2004 and 2009 and also coached Reynella.
Anderson said the club currently was interviewing candidates and would make an announcement soon on Pilmore's replacement.