"While based in Bunbury in 1983, a 15-year old Alan Armstrong impressed me, he went on to represent the State and won many titles with Stirling Macedonia." - Frank Longstaff, former Canning City coach
1.10.2009
LONGSTAFF SIGNS OFF
One of the state's most knowledgeable and experienced coaches, Frank Longstaff, made a graceful exit from football by guiding Canning City for the final time last weekend. Longstaff coached at every level and enjoyed many successes during a remarkable 27-year career on the local stage, which has been brought to a close by work commitments. "The game on Saturday against Cockburn was my final one as coach of Canning," said Longstaff, who soon commences a fly in, fly out job in Karratha. "I've coached in West Australia since I arrived in 1982 and enjoyed every minute of it, the good times and the bad."
Ending his six-year tenure as coach of Canning was a tough decision for Longstaff, who has every faith in the club returning to the top flight. "Football is a passion for me so I will always be around the game when time permits," he said. "Leaving Canning is a big wrench, it has been a part of my life for six years but I'm certain the club will bounce back bigger and stronger for the experience. In Malcolm and Billy Watson they have two extremely passionate Canning men and the wheels are already in motion for the necessary changes to get the club back where they belong."
2009 didn't go anywhere near to plan for Longstaff. The season was only a couple of weeks old when the Canning coach was sent off for an on-field incident at Swan United which, after investigation by Football West, resulted it the respected coach being slapped with a two-year suspension. "I was devastated to receive the lengthy ban - which is still a mystery to me - but I had to take it on the chin," he said. "It had a massive impact on myself, the club and the players. I gave it my all, albeit under trying circumstances, but having no contact with the players on match days took away my strength of man management."
And although Canning bounced back to sit in the top five after eleven games, the teams' failure to win in the second half of the winter resulted in a dramatic slide into the relegation mire. "We started the season with a large squad but by halfway the season through injury and players returning to the UK left us threadbare. The players that remained gave there all for the cause but in the end just came up short," said Longstaff. "In hindsight, I would only sign overseas players who had come to Australia to play football, as when it came to the crunch we were extremely stretched for the last few weeks of the season."
Longstaff spent two years on the books of each Newcastle United and Burnley before "drifting around the non-League in my native North East mostly with limited success." He headed down under in the early 1980's and cut his coaching teeth through spells with Bunbury Dynamos, Bunbury City and Windsor Athletic. Two successful years at Ferndale United reaped the 1990 First Division championship, and preceded spells in charge of Kelmscott Roos, North Perth Croatia and the State Women's team. Longstaff captured another First Division title in 1997 with Southside United before an extended period as coach of the State junior teams and a year with Kwinana United. In 2004 he was appointed coach of Canning in 2004 and last year steered the club to the First Division championship.
There have been a myriad of highs in Longstaff's career, amongst them the trio of league titles and five years as a State junior team coach. "Winning the league with Ferndale, Southside and Canning are obvious highlights, as was taking the State Under-15 team to the semi-finals of the National titles in 2001," said Longstaff, who twelve months ago was recognised as the First Division Coach of the Year. "But what means most to me are the many, many people I can call true friends as a result of football. I'm extremely proud of staying in the game for the length of time I have and, hopefully, I've influenced a few football careers over the years."
A few players sprang instantly to mind when Longstaff was asked who are the players that have really stood out over the years. "While based in Bunbury in 1983, a 15-year old Alan Armstrong impressed me, he went on to represent the State and won many titles with Stirling Macedonia. Alan Hind was the strongest, toughest defender I have seen who could also play a bit," said Longstaff. "From my State days, Tony Naglieri and Jon Higgins are among the most skilful players I have worked with, both could play at A-League level, and Sean Kilkelly and Daryl Platten are both great players and very good leaders."
Longstaff then singled out three of this seasons' Canning squad for special praise. "Paul Oliver has everything, his fitness lets him down but there is no better or more skilful player in WA," said Longstaff, who pieced together his squad over a number of years. "Paul van Dongen proved his worth this season in the Premier League, he makes some fantastic runs from midfield and is still improving so I expect a lot from him over the next few years. And Devon Spence is as good a goalkeeping prospect as I have seen - either here or in the UK."
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