Changes at the top for Dolphins

Brodie Cowburn brodie@baysidenews.com.au

THE future of Frankston Football club will be overseen by a new coach and CEO.

Last week, Frankston Football Club confirmed it had parted ways with coach Danny Ryan. He was in the final year of a two-year deal. The week prior, the VFL club confirmed it had appointed a new CEO.

Fraser Bayne has been appointed to the role of CEO. His tenure began on 18 August.

Bayne, a former CEO of the Mornington Racing Club, took over from outgoing CEO Adrian Lloyd. In addition to his role at the MRC, Bayne has also served as president of Mount Eliza Junior Football Club, president of the Frankston & District Junior Football League, and as an AFL South-East league commissioner.

Bayne said he is “passionate about football in this region and have long held the belief the Frankston Football Club should be the showcase of peninsula football.”

“I look forward to building on the great work that Adrian Lloyd and his team have done in recent times,” he said.

Frankston FC president David Friend said “we are excited by what Fraser will bring to the Frankston Football Club and look forward to working with him to continue to develop our club both on and off the field”.

The Dolphins were readmitted into the VFL in 2018 after being forced into administration. Lloyd was appointed CEO in 2019. He oversaw a period of success off-field for the VFL outfit - Frankston FC was finally declared debt-free in 2022.

Although things are looking up off the field, the Dolphins face significant challenges on game day. The gap between AFL-affiliated sides and independent teams has grown in recent years. Frankston FC won four of its eighteen VFL games this season.

Friend said that the Dolphins will seek a full-time head coach to replace Danny Ryan. “This decision has not been taken lightly and is a result of a comprehensive football department review undertaken by the club and will result in restructuring our VFL football department,” he said.

“It is an exciting time for the Frankston Football Club as we now look forward to creating a more professional football environment for our players and staff to thrive. The stability created off the field has allowed the club to seek a full-time head coach and continue to create an environment where we can drive elite standards for all our players and staff,” Friend said. “We have commenced the process of identifying a new head coach, a decision that carries immense weight for our future. A panel of esteemed football experts has been assembled to oversee this transition, ensuring our choice aligns with our aspirations.

“Our gratitude for Danny Ryan’s contributions remains. We extend our best wishes to him as he embarks on new ventures.”

Picture: Fraser Bayne is the new CEO of the Frankston Football Club. One of the tasks ahead of the club is the appointment of a new coach after the departure of Danny Ryan. Picture: Supplied