EFNL 2022: Mulgrave’s Ryan Webster hands coaching role to club great Matt Richards

Mulgrave’s Ryan Webster has called time on his stint as coach, passing the baton to a club legend.

Outgoing Mulgrave coach Ryan Webster says he has “no regrets”.

The Lions mentor of the past three years has called time on his stint with the Eastern league Division 2 outfit – handing over the reins to club great Matt Richards.

Webster landed the gig following the 2019 season, leading the club through the 2020 non-season before a 2-10 result in 2021’s shortened campaign.

Mulgrave improved its record to 7-11 this year for eighth spot – two games and percentage outside the top five – with its season highlighted by two victories over minor premier South Belgrave.

Richards, who holds the club games record, brings head coaching experience from the under-19s and reserves, and seniors as assistant – a position he’s held since 2020.

The outgoing mentor said his tenure had posed its share of challenges and felt the time was right to move on.

Club president Scott Davidson said in a statement it was a “seamless transition”.

Ryan Webster has passed the baton to club great Matt Richards. Picture: Craig Bonney/Rhonda Tilyard Eddy

“It was going to happen at some stage – you can never coach in the one spot forever,” Webster said.

“Obviously with the difficulties the club’s had in the last three seasons with effectively no home ground, no club rooms … the ability to be able to transfer the leadership of the football club to someone who is effectively the stalwart of Mulgrave in Matt Richards, it was a fantastic opportunity to get it done sooner rather than later.

“Richo’s the one that’s there to turn the lights on and off, he coaches our under-19s who are playing in a prelim this weekend and was my assistant coach.

“He’s always wanted his opportunity to go full circle, and he holds the games record (at Mulgrave), so he’s effectively a Mulgrave legend.

“To allow him to go full circle and do what he’s done on the field as a player to now get his opportunity to lead an exciting group going forward, that’s the way it’s been able to pan out.”

Incoming Mulgrave senior coach Matt Richards. Picture: Mulgrave FC

Webster believes the foundations have been laid for the group to take the next step under Richards.

“I’m leaving the playing group in a much better position than it was when I got there – they’re going to go a long way if they stick together,” he said.

“They’ve built their own culture, it’s been a very player-driven program since I’ve started … that’s the best thing about it, if you can have a player-driven program, the club’s going to go in the right direction.”

Webster hasn’t ruled out a return to coaching in the future.

“I really enjoy my coaching and I’ve got a desire to keep doing it,” he said.

“I’m probably a developer of young athletes more so than anything else, and I really enjoy that aspect of it.”