ONE of the region's most decorated coaches has called time on his coaching career.
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Tamworth FC will have to look for a new first-grade coach for the 2020 season after Greg Bartlett opted to step down from the role.
Bartlett helped lead FC to back-to-back Premier League titles in 2018 and 2019, as well as two reserve-grade titles earlier in his career.
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In six seasons as a coach with FC, Bartlett won four premierships in both first and reserve grade.
Bartlett said a desire to focus on work commitments was a contributing factor to his decision to step aside.
"I've been involved as a coach for a long time now and I think it's the perfect time to step down," Bartlett told the Leader.
"As far as I'm concerned, I'm going out on top.
"We won two titles in a row, went through 2018 undefeated and only lost one game this season - it's a pretty good record."
A long-term committee member at Tamworth FC, Bartlett said he would remain involved with the club.
"I'll still be around, that's for sure," he said.
"We have a really great club and I love being around.
"Quite a few of the guys work for my construction company, so I will still follow everything happening at the club really closely."
The region's top competition will look considerably different in 2020, as Northern Inland Football scrapped the Premier League in favour of new northern and southern conferences.
"I'm not sure who will take over from me yet," Bartlett said.
"There's still so much to be decided with the club and the competition as well.
"Either way, it's the perfect time for a fresh voice with fresh ideas to lead the group.
"They're a great bunch of guys, so whoever does take up the job will have a really enjoyable experience."
Bartlett said the two Premier League titles "were certainly the highlight" of his coaching tenure.
"To be honest, I thought about giving it away after the 2018 win, but I wanted to make sure it wasn't a fluke," he said.
"Luckily, it wasn't and we had another great season this year. I've really enjoyed my time at the helm and don't have any regrets."
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
