End of an era for Brown
An unruly plane incident had no bearing on John Brown’s decision to step down as Cashmere Technical coach after five years in charge.
The usually mild-mannered Brown hit the headlines in July when he was escorted off an Air New Zealand plane after disruptive behaviour from his team on a flight back from Wellington, following a match in Nelson.
Brown, who regretted his behaviour, said the incident did not impact on his decision to finish up.
The Scotsman carved out an enviable record with the Christchurch club, guiding them to two Chatham Cups [2013 and 2014], four successive Mainland Premier League titles [2013-16] and success in three South Island finals.
Brown always knew this would be his last season at the helm of the premier men’s side and told the players after their last league match on Saturday.
He will be on the touchline for the final time this Saturday when Tech take on southern league champions Caversham in the South Island championship at English Park.
‘‘The plane incident was what it was. It was probably blown a little bit out of proportion,’’ Brown said.
‘‘My decision was made way back at the start of the year. Nothing off the park has made a reflection on that.’’
Brown was eager to spend more time with wife Helen, and their three young children, but would remain involved with the club.
His 12-year-old son, also called John, is a promising player for Parklands and Brown wanted to devote more energy into his football. Twin daughters, Samantha and Katelyn, 11, are keen netballers too.
Coaching a premier football team was a year-long commitment and a major sacrifice, while holding down a full-time job. It was time for the side to have a ‘‘new voice’’, he said.
Former Canterbury United assistant Brown would still keep a close eye on how the Tech premiers were doing.
‘‘I’ll be watching them. If not, I’ll try and get myself fit and play masters for Tech.’’
Under Brown’s tutelage, Cashmere Technical, who were formed in 2012, became one of the leading club sides in the country.
With a strong contingent of Canterbury national league players they have been dominant in the Mainland Premier League.
Defending the Hurley challenge Shield for the past three seasons, which is on the line at league home games, was also a tremendous feat, he said.
Over the past four seasons, Tech have lost just seven games in the MPL. Going back-to-back in the Chatham Cup national knockout competition, was a remarkable achievement, Brown said.
Repeating their title win in 2014 at North Harbour Stadium and knocking over powerful Auckland side, Central United 2-1 in the final, was a landmark day.
‘‘To win one in Auckland, playing an Auckland team in the semi-finals and final, was special.’’
Brown said the Tech club had gone from ‘‘strength to strength’’ over the past five years and was delighted with their success through the grades.
‘‘Most of the credit goes down to the board at the club. People like [president] Bill Cowen, they drive the club for excellence.’’
There was some impressive young talent at Tech, especially in their senior reserves side, and he believed there was no sign of Tech’s reign relenting. Brown wants his successor to come from within the club.