By Nick Creely
Dual premiership coach Mick Fogarty has departed from Eastern Football League powerhouse Noble Park in a shock move.
Fogarty – the longest serving coach in club history and multiple premiership winner in 2010 and 2011 as well as a grand final appearance in 2013 – informed the club this week that he wouldn’t be re-applying for the position after the Bulls indicated their desire to advertise the position after three seasons without a finals appearance.
The club issued a statement on Thursday night, praising Fogarty for his immense contribution to the Noble Park football community.
“He is the longest serving senior coach in our 100 year history,” it read.
“His passion and dedication can never be questioned. The last 10 years has seen many highlights for this footy club and Mick has been an integral part of that.
“The last few years has seen this club go through some challenges. Through all this Mick has remained very positive and has stayed the course and never wavered from the direction the club wants to go.
“However, with the lack of results, that this club expects, sadly something had to give.
“Although Mick is a very much-loved figure not only without our footy club but also from afar, we felt for the club’s interest we needed to seek expressions of interest to find a candidate to reinvigorate our list and the club in general.
“This decision was certainly not taken lightly as we have been fortunate to have a coach in charge for the last 10 years who has earnt the respect from all at our footy club, the EFL, and footy in general.
“We wish Mick and his family all the best and thank them for their contribution in this footy club.”
Fogarty coached out the final game of the season on Saturday against Balwyn, with the Bulls sending off one of their greatest ever coaches.
In other coaching news across the traps, Upwey Tecoma has announced a new senior coach, with Adam Parker penning a two-year deal.
The AFL Outer East Premier Division club – which has struggled on-field this season – have named Parker as the new coach for 2020 and 2021, with the current playing assistant and vice-captain of Vermont in the Eastern Football League a major addition to the club.
Parker – who has been with Vermont since 2014 and won a best and fairest and premiership – has also been skipper of Scoresby, and has been named in the EFL’s Team of the Year on four occasions. Parker also spent two years at the Casey Scorpions (now Demons) in the VFL and was a member of their leadership group in 2008.
