EDFL 2018: West Coburg appoints Dale May as coach and Robert Hyde as assistant

West Coburg has a made two big coaching appointments after being relegated from EDFL Premier Division this year.

Dale May (right) celebrates Strathmore’s 2014 premiership triumph. Pictures:Angie Basdekis

STRATHMORE premiership captain Dale May has been appointed West Coburg coach for the next two seasons.

May, who has put pen to paper on a two-year deal, was interim coach at the Mores in the second half of 2016 and claimed the Essendon District Football League’s highest individual honour — the Reynolds Medal — in 2006.

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Experienced mentor Robert Hyde has also joined the Burgers as director of coaching and senior assistant after the club was relegated from Premier Division this season.

West Coburg spent four years in the top flight after winning the Division 1 flag in 2014.

Robert Hyde brings invaluable experience to West Coburg. Picture: Stuart Milligan

“He’s obviously got great football background and he’s come from a successful club in Strathmore,” Burgers president David Gloury said.

“We really like the way Dale plays his football and we think he’ll be a fantastic senior coach.

“He’s a local boy and he’s got a lot of enthusiasm to take on the coaching role.

“He’s got a relationship with Robert, who coached him to two premierships at the Calder Cannons.

“Dale is really keen to work with Robert and learn from Robert.”

May, who made three appearances for Strathmore’s senior side this year, is set to continue as a player next season.

Hyde has held the top job at several clubs, including Northern Blue, Greensborough and the Cannons, and his knowledge will be invaluable off the ground to allow May to take the field.

“We were really impressed with Dale in his interview and his thoughts about football,” Gloury said.

“We think he’ll slot in extremely well at the West Coburg Football Club.”

Gloury said the Burgers’ playing list was set to remain intact after they recorded only two wins this season.

“We’re extremely confident we’ll retain well over 90 per cent of our list from this year,” he said.

“Most players have already re-signed and we’ll probably announce a number of recruits in the next couple of the weeks.”

Gloury said West Coburg wanted to return to the top flight sooner rather than later.

“We’d like to win the premiership in 2019 and get straight back into Premier Division, but we do need to rebuild, there’s no doubt about it,” he said.

“It’s a tough competition and a great competition in Premier Division. We need to go back up with a much stronger list.”