It is with mixed emotions that the Werribee Football Club farewells senior coach Mark Williams. After two years at the helm, Williams has accepted a role with the Melbourne Football Club as Head of Football Development.

President Martin Carter summed up the feelings of everyone at Avalon Airport Oval: “Choco is unique in his way of thinking about football and the way he goes about engaging everyone to be part of that. His impact at our club will resonate for a long time with coaches, players, staff, sponsors and supporters. It is no surprise to see him back in the AFL system. We wish him well and thank him for everything he did in two very different years with us. He has planted seeds of success both on and off field that his successor will be able to build on.”

Even though Werribee was merely a road sign on the way to Geelong two years ago, Williams has thoroughly enjoyed his tenure in the VFL: “I have loved my time at Werribee. The club is strong, well run and as we have all seen in the last year, resilient. I thank the club and the community for making me feel like I could have stayed here for 20 years, not 2.”

The search begins to replace Williams immediately and CEO Mark Penaluna is confident of securing a high quality replacement: “It is a prime job in the football world and one that offers outstanding opportunities to run your own team in an elite competition in the best facility outside the AFL, working in a club with an exceptional culture and strong community roots. Choco got a big surprise when he came here and he has helped drive us to the next level of professionalism and expectation.”