ONE of Camperdown's loyal helpers is standing aside after 31 years as football manager.
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But Keith Stephens will maintain ties with the Magpie army, recommitting to its committee for the 2021 Hampden league season.
Peter Conheady has worked alongside Stephens for three decades and rates his passion as one of his best assets.
"For most of us the busiest part of your footy season is the middle of winter," he said.
"Keith's busiest time of the footy season is from the start of December until the start of March.
"Keith's footy season basically went 12 months of the year for 31 years. It's a very big commitment."
Conheady said Stephens' role was all-encompassing and countless players and coaches had gone through "his kitchen and had a cup of coffee while they've negotiated their contract".
"In that time in his role as football manager, apart from the football administration side of things with handling clearances, player registrations and, in modern times, salary caps, his biggest responsibility has been the recruiting and retention of players and coaches for all of our footy grades," he said.
Conheady said Stephens had brought some "pretty heavy names to Camperdown Football Netball Club".
VFL-AFL personnel he attracted to the club as coach included Robert 'Scratcher' Neal, Damien Christensen, Jamie Lamb, Ken Hinkley and Russell Merriman.
"He's also been responsible for giving some of our local talent a chance to coach our club at senior level, the likes of Stephen Sinnott, James Gellie, Neville Swayn," he said.
One of those people has replaced Stephens, whose wife Margaret has been a constant support, as Camperdown football manager.
Stephen Sinnott has been appointed.
"It is always great to have former players put their hand up and give back to the club," Conheady said.
"There will be a bit of a honeymoon period where they will work together.
"Steve will seek some guidance and advice from Keith and Keith will impart some of his wisdom and then Steve will do it in his own right moving forward."
He is an accountant by trade and had a "desire to have a crack at the job after Kevin (Russell) served us for five years as president".
Russell will remain on the Magpies' committee as junior vice president.
Donna Conheady stepped aside from the committee after five seasons as joint netball co-ordinator.
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