Tolland coach Daniel Lawrence admits his side are facing a rebuild after talismanic skipper Richard Skidmore announced his decision to leave the club just two months out from their Pascoe Cup opener.
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Skidmore bade farewell on Monday, citing personal reasons and the need to prioritise family and work commitments, bringing down the curtain on a colourful three-year stint at Kessler Park.
After debuting in 2016, Skidmore developed a fearsome reputation backed by a healthy yellow card count (averaging four per season) but produced some of his best football in 2018.
The bullish defender played a key role in Tolland’s charge into last year’s knockout stages, adopting the captaincy after Lawrence’s round four injury and steering the Wolves to a third place finish on the ladder.
Skidmore also proved a standout in the finals cauldron, slamming one of the goals of the season in their 4-2 elimination final loss to Wagga United.
“Richard told us the other day to let us know that he won’t be able to play for family reasons,” Lawrence said.
“As a coach, it’s really disappointing to lose him because he’s a quality player but he wasn’t able to play on Sundays any more and family comes first, so we understand and are supporting him.
“Still, it’s a big loss for us and he’s a terrific player.”
Skidmore’s departure adds to the off-season loss of goalkeeper Riley Portors but Lawrence won’t be deterred from the task at hand – lifting the elusive Pascoe Cup.
The Wolves still boast a healthy roster including reigning Player of the Year Jaiden O’Brien and their coach is determined to foster a winning club culture.
“We’ve still got lots of young blokes around and they’re the kind of people we want to be keeping at the club and have stepping up into first grade.”
“Guys like Jayden Beattie are prime examples – they’re the guys who always show up to training and I think he’s the kind of player who can fill Richard’s spot and lock down a place in first grade.
“Then you've also got those guys like Matt Kelly who have had limited time in first grade and then players like (Nicholas) Tsipiras are back in the frame.
“I think Tsipiras is going to be huge for us – he was a standout (prior to his suspension) and he linked up with Jaiden really well at the start of last season.”
Tolland’s pre-season is already in full swing with trial games scheduled against Wodonga Diamonds on February 24 and Albury United next month.
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