It was premiership glory for the Parkmore Pirates a few weeks ago, but the recent exit of Richard Houston highlighted some worrying trends in local football.
By Glen Atwell
FOOTBALL is a funny old game.
This time last year, the struggling Parkmore Pirates announced they had found a saviour, a coach and an all-round good bloke.
Richard Houston promised to turn the tables on Parkmore’s losing ways and win a Division Three premiership in record time.
On that promise, he delivered.
What wasn’t part of the plan was Houston walking out after just one season in search for a bigger fish to fry.
It seems the Parkmore administration, so caught up in the success of the season, failed to see the writing on the wall – Richard Houston was never forever.
But should they have even been looking?
Parkmore football manager Mike Smyth accepted Houston with open arms, and was fully aware that Houston could be using the Pirates as a stepping stone.
In 2005, Houston revamped the Moorabbin Kangaroos, this year it was Parkmore and in 2007 Houston will undoubtedly steer St Kilda City to success.
But does local football need these types of ‘hit and run’ success stories?
The Southern Football League needs to step in and ensure that when the money dries up, the football clubs don’t fall so hard they can never stand again.
For the Parkmore Pirates, Mike Smyth and club president Paul Dowling have the experience to repair their now broken ship.
But without the services of the players Houston was paying, how much can be done?
What about the long-time supporters, timekeepers and canteen attendants?
These unsung heroes are the real victims of financial fall-outs.
One thing is for sure – cash can buy you a premiership, but it can’t buy you success.
