EFL Division 3: Senior coach Duncan Jones, Whitehorse Pioneers split

An Eastern league Division 3 coach says he is “flattened” after a shock split with his club. Latest here.

An Eastern league coach has been left “flattened” following a shock split with his club.

Division 3’s Whitehorse Pioneers and mentor Duncan Jones have parted ways, effective immediately.

Jones, who has steered the club across the 2021 and 2022 seasons, confirmed the bombshell on Tuesday morning.

Duncan Jones has split with Whitehorse. Picture: Valeriu Campan

He said he had previously recommitted for next season before claiming a surprise committee backflip left the former Vermont player “with no choice but to resign”.

“I didn’t see it coming … it’s all happened in the space of a week,” Jones said.

“I still don’t know exactly what I’ve done to this moment. I was announced that I would be re-signing for next year, about three weeks ago.

“From there a couple of committee members didn’t like it, and from there I don’t know what’s happened … I’m still trying to process what’s gone on.

“The football department have pushed for me to remain as coach and a couple of committee members have gone against it.

“I’ve said if this club doesn’t want me, I’ll leave – so I’ve left today, effective immediately.”

The Pioneers, who sit sixth on the ladder with a 6-9 record, are set to take on Ferntree Gully this Saturday in their final match of the season.

Whitehorse Pioneers take on Ferntree Gully this weekend in the final match of the season. Picture: Valeriu Campan

The club has won its past two matches by 70 and 46 points respectively against Glen Waverley and Scoresby, saving it from relegation at season’s end.

Jones succeeded outgoing mentor Brad Taws in the role in March 2021 – a fortnight from the start of the season.

He took on the job as caretaker before winning the position full-time.

It’s understood assistant coach George Papadopoulos will coach the side this weekend.

Jones also serves as an assistant with NAB League club Oakleigh Chargers and hasn’t ruled out a return to the coaches’ box in the local ranks next season.

He said he had aspired to progress the Pioneers through the divisions, but remained proud of his tenure.

“When I took over last year the club won three games and they were struggling to field a twos side,” Jones said.

“I’m pretty happy with my performance to be honest … it (the club) is in a lot better place than when I first got there.

“I would have loved to have gone on because there’s a lot of fantastic people at Whitehorse – I’ve got a lot of time for a lot of them, including president Alan Bertacco … they’re fantastic people.

“There’s just a few people who don’t see eye-to-eye with me and have decided to make some noise.”

Whitehorse president Alan Bertacco has been contacted for comment.