Bacchus Marsh appoints club legend Paul Baker as coach for 2021-22

Reigning GDCA McIntyre Shield premiers Bacchus Marsh has gone back to the future, appointing a nine-time Bulls premiership winner as coach.

Bacchus Marsh celebrates its GDCA McIntyre Shield premiership.

Reigning GDCA McIntyre Shield premier Bacchus Marsh is celebrating the return of a favourite son.

Paul Baker will take the coaching reins at Maddingley Park in 2021-22, returning to the club six years after his last stint in the job.

The nine-time Bulls premiership winner takes over from James Lidgett who has captain-coached the club for the past three seasons.

Baker worked with the club last season, helping develop the club’s junior brigade, but now takes on a far bigger role.

New president David Kraljik was looking forward to seeing Baker’s influence on the club.

“Paul’s been with us before, I wasn’t with the club at the time but from all reports he did a great job and he’ll do a great job again,” he said.

“We’ve had James Lidgett captain-coaching our team for the last three years, he’s come to the end of his term so we decided we go for a dedicated non-playing coach.

“It allows James to concentrate on his cricket and I think he’ll appreciate that and it will ultimately benefit the club as well.

“I think Paul’s really excited about the junior group we’ve got coming through.

“He’ll give them a real opportunity to develop their cricket over the next few seasons with his knowledge.

“I’m really looking forward to see how he balances out all the grades, you need to balance experience and the youth coming through.”

Bacchus Marsh returned to the top of the McIntyre Shield mountain last year, seeing off Sunbury United in the decider.

The club also celebrated a Second XI premiership in the second tier Johnstone Shield and Fourth XI flag in Division 2, while it’s Third XI finished runner-up in Division 1.

Paul Baker in action for Bacchus Marsh.

Baker has coached four McIntyre Shield premierships, twice as captain-coach and twice as non-playing coach.

The Bulls life member debuted in 1983 and has been synonymous with the club since.

Kraljik said last year’s work with the club’s youngsters had already paid dividends with the Second XI premiership and was looking forward to seeing how he helped the next generation progress.

“He came down to the club last year off his own bat and was really great with the young guys,” he said.

“Our second grade really changed from the start of the year to the premiership with a lot of young guys coming through and I imagine they’ll be pushing for McIntyre (Shield) selection.

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“This group has been coming through since under-12s really, I’ve seen these young boys become young men and improve their cricket out of sight.

“They’ll be knocking on the door but it’s all about balance, you need that experience and stability around these young guys.

“It will be a really interesting year to see how things pan out, I’m quite positive and really excited about it.”

Lidgett will play on in 2021-22 after another outstanding campaign saw him knock up 529 runs at an average of 58.78.