Soccer: timely win for Ballarat Reds Devils coach

BY GAVIN MCGRATH
31 May, 2010 11:57 PM

BALLARAT Red Devils coach Dale Harris yesterday admitted his job had been on the line prior to the club's breakthrough victory at the weekend.

Harris, who replaced Danny Gnjidic at Trekardo Park at the start of this season, said he felt under extreme pressure to find a way to end the Red Devils' winless run in Victorian Football Federation state league two, before

Saturday's 3-2 victory over Werribee.

The career coach from South Africa said he had not been told directly by the club his position was at risk but conceded that it was inevitable in what is a results-driven business.

"There has been immense pressure, not just on myself but the players as well," Harris said.

"To be totally honest, I felt a lot of pressure on me. I felt my job was at stake. That was never said to me by the club, but I felt it.

"In my time in South Africa (soccer) was very results-driven. The club never said anything to me about it and did not put extra pressure on me, but I knew it was there."

The Red Devils ended a 264-day drought with what was their first victory since last September.

The victory came at the expense of the team currently coached by Gnjidic.

Harris said he believed the victory was a turning point.

"There is now a weight off all of our shoulders. It is very important to restore the self-belief. I'm sure the guys always knew they can do it, but it still does a lot for confidence," Harris said.

"The boys showed fantastic character, to come back from two goals down.

"The ladder is very tight. The main goal right now is to avoid the pressure that we've been under for the last three or four weeks.

"There were emotional scenes, after the game, which shows how much of a relief it was for the boys."

http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/sport/general/soccer-timely-win-for-ballarat-reds-devils-coach/1845483.aspx