It’s easy to understand the Macleay Valley Rangers’ decision to appoint Keith Morn as their new Premier League coach.
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The 73-year-old has committed himself to the club since joining in 1983 after moving to Kempsey a year earlier.
Morn, who was 39 when he made the move north from Sydney, played for the Rangers until he retired from the game at 50 but stayed on with the club in various roles, including coach of the first grade side.
Under Morn’s leadership, the Rangers tasted their first premiership success in Coffs Harbour’s top grade competition before he oversaw the team’s move into the Football Mid North Coast league.
Morn declared he would do anything for his beloved club and there was no hesitation from Morn when asked what the club meant to him.
“Everything,” Morn said.
“Soccer and this club mean everything to me. I’ve been involved with the club for half of my life”
The Rangers die-hard has a simple objective in mind for the 2018 season.
“I want to try and get the players all together as one, install the culture of the club from the yesteryears,” Morn said.
It will be a difficult task with the Rangers first grade side fighting an uphill battle in this year’s campaign.
The side starts the season on negative three competition points and they’ll also play two home games at a neutral ground.
The punishments were handed out from Football Mid North Coast following an incident during last year’s Rangers and Wallis Lake preliminary final at Dangar St Oval.
“It's a bit harsh on the players, none of them did anything wrong but they are now punished,” Morn said.
“It’s affected some of the boys but we just have to move on now and focus on the season ahead.”
Morn shied away from season-long predictions but claimed the Rangers will compete for a finals berth.
“There’s about three-quarters of the side from last year returning and we have some other players coming back too,” Morn said.
“It will be a strong squad and our eyes are on playing in finals.”
Chris Walker, Ben Mitchell and possibly Josh Henry return to the Rangers and bolster the side’s defence and midfield.
“Chris and Josh are both talented and skillful, they will bring plenty of experience to the side after spending time playing at different clubs,” Morn said.
“Ben is one of the best defenders to come through our junior ranks.”
While the three make great additions, Rangers’ biggest loss will come between the sticks with goalkeeper Shaun Glover leaving the club due to work commitments.
Glover produced man of the match performances last season as his saves played a major role in Rangers claiming the minor premiership.
The Rangers are currently without a replacement for Glover and are actively searching for a goal keeper.
It’s hard to predict how the Club’s 2018 season will turnout, but one thing is certain, if half of Morn’s passion for the Rangers rubs off on his players, they will be in for a successful year.