Hews Resignation Stuns Strikers
Words: Steve Pitman
Image: Brisbane Strikers
Brisbane Strikers coach Chay Hews has announced the shock decision that he will quit the club at the end of the NPL Queensland season.
The former Strikers skipper informed club officials of his decision earlier this week after deciding he needed time to concentrate on his young family.
The announcement comes as a surprise with Strikers active on three fronts under Hews, including this weekend’s Canale Travel Cup Final against local rivals Olympic FC.
“For a long time now I’ve put football first and I’ve always had support from my family and friends,” Hews said.
“I guess it’s not necessarily time to give back but I want to be putting the family first for once and, as I said to the guys at training, live a normal life for a while”.
Hews was club captain in Strikers in their first NPL Queensland season, and took the coaching reigns from current Technical Director David Large for this season.
Hews made over 200 appearances for Strikers as a player, representing the club in the National Soccer League and winning the Queensland State League Premiership in 2012.
“The club holds a special place in my heart and I’ve got a lot of fond memories of my own footballing career at the club and I’ve made a lot of lifelong friends,” Hews said.
“In one way I’m really sad about it and in another way I feel quite relieved at the same time.”
“It’s a difficult job to do part-time while trying to work a full-time job and have a young family at home as well.”
Strikers Chairman Bruce Atterton-Evans expressed surprise but respected Hews’ decision.
“We are obviously disappointed that he wasn’t able to continue but it is a big commitment,” Atterton-Evans said.
“He doesn’t believe he can do the role justice and Chay is not going to do anything half-hearted.”
“We were more than pleased with the results and the way things were going in the first year, but that’s how it goes - we’ll move on”.
Strikers will face fellow Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32 winners Olympic FC this Saturday at Carmichael Park, home of community club Wolve FC.
Strikers remain well in the running for a NPL Queensland Finals Series berth and currently sit third in the NPL Queensland standings.
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