Trevor Little back at Hurstbridge 10 days after quitting as coach

HURSTBRIDGE coach Trevor Little has done a stunning U-turn to return to the club, just 10 days after walking out on the Northern Football League side.

Trevor Little has returned to Hurstbridge 10 days after quitting the club. Picture: Josie Hayden

TREVOR Little has made a stunning return to Northern Football League club Hurstbridge as senior coach after quitting on June 4 due to “off-field things”.

While calls to the club went unanswered this week, the Bridges confirmed today that Little would stay as coach amid a committee shake-up.

The change of heart comes after Little expressed his disappointment at leaving a “great group of players”.

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“It’s never been about the playing group,” Little said after standing down.

“I think we have got a really good group there that are going to take the club hopefully to bigger and better places.”

Rumours have been rife this week Little had reconsidered and would continue at Hurstbridge, which is eighth in Division 1 with a 2-5 record.

Little had told of his desire to keep coaching, but said it was disappointing he could not stay on at the Bridges.

“They deserve better outcomes, but right now I can’t coach that group due to off-field things,” he said.

Travis Cloke’s future at Hurstbridge is in doubt. Picture: James Ross

One of the first tasks for Little will be to determine the future of former AFL forward Travis Cloke.

Travis’s brother Cameron has left Hurstbridge to join Murray League club Barooga and the Bridges had been waiting to decide their next coach before determining the ex-Bulldogs and Collingwood forward’s future.

Travis has not been named in the Bridges’ side to face Montmorency away tomorrow, however he originally agreed to feature in home games only. It is understood he is overseas with his family at the moment.

The 31-year-old has kicked six goals from four games this year.

Hurstbridge president Stephen East, vice-president Cindy Dale and secretary Tracey East have resigned, with one of the club’s major sponsors Mario Licciardi appointed as interim president.

“The committee and president have been the fabric of this club for so many years, we’re looking forward to honouring them for what can be a thankless job,” Licciardi said in a club statement.

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Cameron Cloke (left) has departed Hurstbridge, but there is still no decision on Travis’s future. Picture: James Ross

“It will be fantastic to celebrate their longstanding commitment in a way that ensures they can enjoy watching the football without the pressure.”

East said the club had been “blindsided” and “rocked” in the wake of the mid-season resignation.

The club said the changes were part of “succession planning” for next year, with Mark Donnelly to serve as interim vice-president and Kristin Simondsin as interim secretary.