NFL 2018: Greensborough appoints Mick Harford as sole coach for 2019

MICK Harford will lead Greensborough’s push for its first Northern Football League premiership since 2014 solo next year.

MICK Harford will lead Greensborough’s push for its first Northern Football League premiership since 2014 solo next year.

Harford shared the Boro’s coaching duties with veteran mentor Rob Hyde this year, but will take the reins on his own from 2019.

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Harford, who has experience as a senior assistant coach at Balwyn, Heidelberg and Greensborough and was an assistant with VAFA club Old Paradians, said he was bullish about the club’s chances of success.

“It’s obviously a privilege to take (over) at such a historical club,” Harford said.

“We have been working for three years to build toward our next premiership.”

The Boro were second on the Division 1 ladder with three rounds remaining, but lost their last three matches before crashing out in an elimination final against Bundoora.

Harford took charge for an extended period last year, helping Greensborough overcome a 2-5 start to reach finals.

Mick Harford will be Greensborough’s sole coach next year. Picture: Nathan McNeill.

“He filled in last year when Robert was away from an extended period in Europe and did an outstanding job then,” president Russell Grubb said.

“We’re confident he will be able to attract some new players to the club.”

Grubb said the club was grateful for the contribution Hyde had made in his latest stint as coach, the highlight of which was the Boro’s first Division 1 premiership for 15 years.

“The way he has transformed the club with discipline, rules and standards, he has just been an amazing person to have back,” he said.

Harford also thanked the outgoing coach, lauding the legacy he would leave.

Rob Hyde dishes out some instructions to his Greensborough players. Picture: Stuart Milligan

“It was just fantastic to work with Rob,” he said.

“He’s such a character, a great man manager, he understands the nuances of the game.

“He’s just a good person. The legacy he leaves at Greensborough will live on forever and a day.”

Greensborough has signed on-baller Ben Fennell from Montmorency and hopes to unveil its next recruits this week.

“To do what we did this year with the interruptions we had, with a bit more stability in our playing list and hopefully a better run with injury, then anything is possible,” Harford said.

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