Morgan in for Corbet as North change tack

TRIM MORGAN is back in football as North coach but will be no more than an especially interested spectator as his new charges play neigh- ours Vale Rec, one of his former clubs, in the Priaulx League this afternoon. And on a day that it was confirmed Morgan would be replacing Phil Corbet with immediate effect, former North and Island coach Alan Le Prevost was announced as the club's new football coo-ordinator to provide the link between the players and coaches with the committee.

Le Prevost's job is as much about steadying a ship that has shown signs of listing of late and he immediately confirmed that an attempt to bring Geoff Tardif back into the club as first-team coach had failed.

'Geoff was spoken to and he did come up to the North-Sylvans game at which 'Mini' Bachelet broke his leg. But after giving it thought he decided he didn't want to return,' said Le Prevost who clearly believes he has got the next best man in Morgan.

North had known about Corbet's desire to step down as soon as possible for several weeks, but only once the club had found a replacement.

'The committee got together to talk about several possible replacements.

Morgan was identified, approached, interviewed and accepted.

Le Prevost sees his own role as key to improving morale in the club and making the club as professional and effective as possible in their bid to overhaul Belgraves in the title race.

'If there are any problems I will be there to help,' said the new coordinator.

North and Corbet part on good terms, said Le Prevost.

'We sympathise with Phil and the problems he's had.

'We just want to thank Phil for the time he's had with us. There's been no falling out whatsoever.'

Meanwhile, Morgan said his future players were 'definitely' good enough to win the league.

'I want to bring a bit of life to the club,' he said.

'That is not taking anything away from Phil Corbet's achievements but everyone has their own style.'

Morgan is relishing the title race and said he had missed the excitement and camaraderie of the Priaulx.

But the midfielder, whose career included stints as a professional in the Far East and in the Australian top flight, will only be tempted to get his boots on as a last resort.

'I found it difficult to coach and play at the same time,' he said.

'That's what we tried when I was player-coach at Sylvans and perhaps it did not work that well.'

The 37-year-old added that his fitness was not fully up to his former standards. He nevertheless managed to play three semi-pro games down under in the summer, on the back of only three weeks training.

He has, by his own admission, seen very few North games.

'It's my old team and it will be interesting in many ways - it should be a good game.'

Corbet was unavailable for comment.