The sleeves are back.
Those four words should, and likely will, garner great celebrations from involved affiliates of Shepparton Football Club after premiership captain Ted Lindon put pen to paper on a coaching position extending until 2023.
The Bears’ bastion — complete with trademark sleeves which kiss the wrists — returns three years after hoisting the Goulburn Valley League trophy in a giant-beating grand final display over Kyabram, replacing current coaches Sam Ahmet and Ramadan Yze.
President Mark Washington was elated to throw Lindon the keys — and was quick to thank the outgoing pair for its dedication over the past two years.
“We have quite a balance of youth and experience and with the youthfulness we do have he’ll be a great addition to our club — he’s the type of bloke who will connect straightaway with our players, members and sponsors,” Washington said.
“It’s very exciting news and we have no doubt that he is the right man for the club going forward.
“I’d like to acknowledge Sam and Ramadan and the work they’ve done with our group because they are first-class people.
“We have a lot of respect for those two guys, but this was an opportunity we couldn’t miss.”
Lindon has kept busy in the years since donning the gold guernsey.
He spent time in the United Kingdom before COVID-19 reared its ugly head, even trying his hand at rugby to then return to Melbourne where he plied his trade for Southern Mallee Giants in the Wimmera Football League.
Like Washington, the GVL interleague and Vic Country representative acknowledged the platform set by Ahmet and Yze, while expressing his appetite to build on it.
“I’m very excited to be back and can’t wait to complement the outstanding work of Rum and Sam in recent years,” Lindon said.
“I’m looking forward to working alongside the young brigade — the 16-21-year-olds — and fast-tracking their development as well as the mature players.
“What brought me back was the great opportunity at hand, both professionally and football-wise, as well as the individuals associated with the club. It’s a really good challenge and I look forward to getting stuck in.”
Although Shepparton’s track record in 2021 was far from desirable, Washington and Lindon made it clear there were major positives to take from the season.
Going forward, the new leader hoped to revive Shepparton's success and formulate a new, exciting brand of football at the Bear Cave.
“We are very keen to get a few of the former players back, but at the same token, the current playing list should be looking to create their own new identity and should be looking to create their own new path — rather than looking in the rear vision mirror of successful seasons of yesteryear,” Lindon said.
“With the times being tough in the current climate, I’m looking forward to establishing an enjoyable atmosphere both on and off the field for players and supporters which hopefully brings success.”
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