Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Keith Eigeland/Football Queensland

Sunshine Coast Fire have confirmed the departure of Kevin A’herne-Evans, who has resigned from his positions as technical director and senior head coach.

A’herne-Evans served in the dual role at the club for the past two seasons, leading the senior men’s team to a semi-final appearance in last year’s NPL Queensland.

Fire struggled for consistency this season with a young playing roster, with Tuesday night’s 1-0 loss to Brisbane City confirming an eighth place finish to the campaign.

A’herne-Evans, a former professional player at Leeds United and Cardiff City as well as Wales youth representative, expressed his thanks for the opportunities at Fire over the past two seasons and said he will now look to concentrate on his coaching career.

“While I am excited by the new opportunities that I will be pursuing, I will always remember my time at Sunshine Coast FC with great fondness," he said.

“Thank you to Noel Woodall for giving me the opportunity first of all to play for the club, then to oversee the development structure of our players on the coast, coach the first team and play a significant role in laying the foundations at the Club.”

He expressed his belief that Fire are now well-placed to continue to deliver the NPL Queensland elite player pathway in coming years as well as succeed at senior level.

“Moving forward to next year, I believe the new manager will be in a fortunate position. They will inherit a young enthusiastic group who are all keen to learn,” he explained.

“The major re-build has begun and now it is time for someone to come in and mould this group into his team. I leave them in a position where the foundations have been laid for future years.”

“This group have defeated a number of heavy weights this season including Brisbane Roar NYL twice, the invitation Malaysia squad, Redlands away, Moreton Bay and Brisbane City.”

“They have pushed Olympic and Brisbane Strikers close and now know mentally and physically they can compete with any team in the NPL,” he added.

Fire Chairman Noel Woodall thanked A’herne-Evans for his service over the past two seasons.

“I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the fantastic effort put in at the Club by Kevin over the past two years,” he said.

“He has made a great contribution to both our junior football development and our senior teams. I thank him on behalf of all of us at the Fire for his contribution and we wish him the very best with all his future plans.”

Woodall added that Fire will now actively seek replacements for the both roles vacated by A’herne-Evans’ departure.

“Due to an NPL rule change to be implemented in 2015, we will be required create two separate positions of Technical Director and First Team Coach,” he explained.

“The club will, in the coming weeks, be looking at candidates to fill these two very important roles."