Warmth for Winter in leaving Bombers
FOR just the second time in the TSL era Lauderdale will enter a new season without Darren Winter at the helm, with the league’ s longest serving coach standing down from his post.
After leading the Bombers for all but their inaugural season in the State League — where he replaced Cam de Gooyer — Winter informed the club this week he would not continue into a 12th year despite having a contract extension on the table. Assistant Clint Brown, who took the reins for the opening six rounds of 2018 while Winter was serving a suspension from the grand final the previous season, has been appointed senior coach.
Winter’s decision brings to an end a successful tenure at the Bombers without capturing an elusive premier ship.
The senior side has played in nine consecutive finals campaigns, including three straight grand finals from 2017-19.
In 2018 the team became the first to reach the decider from outside the top three, having finished the home and away season in fifth spot. Bombers president Julie Kay broke the news to the players at the club’s best and fairest count last night.
“Darren Winter is a larger than life Tasmanian football identity, who has contributed so much as a player, coach and mentor to the fabric and folklore of football across the state ,” Kay told the Mercury.
“Lauderdale Football Club has been privileged to have had him as senior coach for so long.
“His contribution to the club is unsurpassed and his capacity to develop and care for young players is outstanding. Darren is a natural, talented coach and a person whose passion for our club and the game has earned him admiration and respect across our football community.
“We celebrate his contribution to our club and to the TSL competition and hope he can now enjoy many more fishing expeditions and family holidays.
“Darren will continue his involvement at Lauderdale Football Club in mentoring coaches and developing young players, as well as a most respected Life Member.
“Our club will be forever indebted to Darren’s loyalty, hard work and commitment to developing the young people in our community and his passion for success on and off the field.”
Winter finishes with 126 wins from his 214 games as coach, including two draws.
Rebounding defender Josh McGuinness upstaged Alastair Lynch medallist Sam Siggins to claim the club’s best and fairest award, with Sam Tilley named Development League best and faire st.