Cranbourne trainer John Harkin is the classic club worker who loves the local brand of football and does not find his work a chore. By Brad Kingsbury
CRANBOURNE Football Club’s values and loyalty are the two key ingredients to success, according to the club’s trainer and helper of more than 15 years, John Harkin.
Harkin is this week’s nomination for the 2006 Casey Cardinia League Unsung Hero award and after a chat to him it becomes obvious that, when it comes to local football, there is Cranbourne and then there is the rest.
“I love the place,” he declared proudly.
“The way the club is going at the moment is fantastic. Macca (Brett McMaster) is the right coach for these young blokes and he’s putting the oldfashioned Cranbourne values and pride in the jumper back into the club.”
Harkin has seen highs and lows at Cranbourne since he started with the Eagles in 1991 when his oldest son Shaun started with Cranbourne juniors.
Harkin played down his input but he filled roles as trainer and committeeman with the junior body, earning life membership before progressing to the senior club when Shaun started with the under 18s in 1999.
“I got a little more involved as a general helper whereever I could and ended up doing the gate for a few years,” he said.
Harkin started acting as a trainer for the juniors and attended courses and progressed to be a trainer for the senior group over the past three years.
“I started doing the under 18s and reserves and I also help the seniors when required,” he said.
While Shaun has now stopped playing, Harkin’s other sons Liam and Dylan play with the club’s reserves after also coming through the juniors.
Harkin is a big fan of McMaster (the feeling is mutual) and believes that the club is on the right track for future success after some lean years.
“I met Macca in the juniors and he has always been an impressive bloke,” he said.
“We’ve got some fantastic young blokes out here at the moment who have put their hands up and are learning the game. Most of them are 21 or under so I think we’re heading down the right road.”
