FORMER Mildura and Wentworth coach Mark Alvey will coach Tooleybuc-Manangatang in the Central Murray Football League next year.
Alvey, 38, has signed a two-year deal with the Saints as a non-playing coach.
He takes over the role from Locky Gleeson, who will remain a player at the club.
“After 11 years in the Sunraysia league, I’m really excited by that challenge of going to a new league,” Alvey said.
“That’s something that has really interested me.
“When this opportunity came along, I really wanted to have a crack at it. Tooleybuc-Manangatang is a club that hasn’t played finals for a couple of years, so that’s the sort of challenge that I like.”
The former Essendon and Western Bulldogs footballer coached Wentworth to two flags in 2009 and 2012 before crossing to Mildura as co-coach with Ryan O’Callaghan in 2015.
Alvey remained as sole coach of the Demons for the 2016 and 2017 seasons, hanging up the playing boots at the end of 2016 after the club’s grand final loss to Ouyen United.
Mildura finished minor premiers in both seasons however failed to translate that into finals form and Alvey resigned his position after the 2017 season – replaced at Mildura by his former assistant Heath Caldwell.
In a statement Tooleybuc-Manangatang president Steve Blachford said Alvey was an exciting appointment.
“It’s a credit to Brad Morris and our recruiting team that they have been able to bring someone of Mark’s stature to our club,” he said.
“Mark will bring with him a wealth of football experience and we believe he will be a great asset for our senior football teams and our junior program as well.”
