EFL 2019: Noble Park parts ways with coach Mick Fogarty

Mick Fogarty has been the longest serving coach in Noble Park’s history, but president Grant Connolly said a lack of results meant “something had to give”.

‘Mighty Mick’ Fogarty is Noble Park’s longest-serving coach. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

Noble Park has parted ways with the longest-serving coach in its history, ‘Mighty Mick’ Fogarty.

Two-time premiership coach Fogarty stood down after the Bulls indicated they would be advertising the coaching position.

He was keen to go on for one more season.

But president Grant Connolly and football manager Steve Coats told him yesterday that the committee believed it was time for a fresh start for Noble, which has missed the finals for the past three years.

Fogarty’s last game in charge will be this Saturday against Balwyn at Cherry Rd.

The Bulls were forced to recast their line-up ahead of 2017 after an exodus of senior players.

Mick Fogarty and captain Craig Anderson hoist the silverware in 2011.

“We always thought it was going to be a three-year job so in that sense I would have liked to give it one more year, but it’s not to be and that’s OK,’’ a philosophical Fogarty told Leader.

“You know what, mate? I’ve had a good run at it, a really good run. I couldn’t have asked for anything better, to coach the club for so long and achieve what we did. I’m rapt.

“So I’ll enjoy my last game, Balwyn at Balwyn. It doesn’t get any better than that. I won’t have to worry or get uptight or be nervous. We’ll have a good side in on Saturday, actually.’’

Fogarty had two stints at Noble Park, from 2010-13 and 2015-19, winning premierships in ’10 and ’11. The Bulls also reached the 2013 grand final, losing to Balwyn.

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“I couldn’t be prouder, to go on and coach the club where I’m a three-time premiership player, senior best and fairest, vice-captain,’’ he said.

“And I’m not spruiking, I’m just proud of my history at Noble Park.

“Believe it or not, before Simon Goosey got it, I was offered the Frankston VFL job, only because I was there and Shannon Grant had got the flick.

“I had two jobs offered to me, Noble Park and Frankston. And I took the Noble Park job and that was because the opportunity to coach a club like Noble Park was too good to turn down.’’

Fogarty said he was still “raw’’ but he would “probably’’ like to coach elsewhere next year.

He said he appreciated the support of Connolly and Coats and understood how difficult it was for them to inform him of the decision.

Fogarty said the club always had to come first.

“They’ve got a job to do. Those two have been my biggest backers,’’ he said. “When all that stuff went down two years ago, they were unbelievable.’’

In a statement, Connolly said the Bulls decided to advertise the coaching position “following an extensive review of the club’s operations and … discussions with various stakeholders of the club’’.

“This decision was relayed to Mick and he was given every opportunity to respond. Mick has informed us that he won’t be reapplying for the role as senior coach,’’ Connolly said.

“I would like to take this opportunity to highlight Mick’s contribution to this footy club. Mick as a player and then coach, where he enjoyed premiership success, can never be underestimated in the history of this footy club. He is the longest serving senior coach in our 100-year history.

“His passion and dedication can never be questioned. The last 10 years have seen many highlights for this footy club and Mick has been an integral part of that.

“The last few years have seen this club go through some huge challenges. Through all this Mick has remained very positive and has stayed the course and never wavered from the direction the club wants to go in. However, with the lack of results that this club expects, sadly something had to give.

“Although Mick is a very much-loved figure not only within our footy club but also from afar, we felt for the club’s interest we needed to seek expressions of interest to find a candidate to reinvigorate our list and the club in general.’’

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