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corioGeelong Advertiser | CORIO’S Barry O’Toole has stepped down as coach of the struggling club.

O’Toole informed the playing group last night that he and the club had “parted ways”, citing personal reasons.

He met with the club on Monday to inform them of his decision.

“I have a young family. Coaching is an all week thing and takes massive time away from them and also my work.

With my work finishing up in October next year I have to start thinking about my family’s future,” O’Toole said.

“The club is in a good position and with a good young group that is going to take time and patience to redevelop the club.”

President George Baker said the club had a three-year plan in place to help drag it from the bottom of the GDFL ladder.

He said the time demands needed to help bring it into practice might have been too much for O’Toole.

“We’ve had a couple of meetings with him over the last couple of weeks and we sort of mapped out a plan to go forward and what we were looking for,” Baker said.

“He felt it was a bit too demanding and he couldn’t spare that time.”

It is the second time in six months O’Toole has stepped away as coach.

The Devils won just two matches last year and O’Toole was sacked in October by president at the time Gary Le Guern.

However he was sensationally reinstated less than a day later after players threatened a revolt.

O’Toole’s departure continues Corio’s rocky start to 2015, which saw off-field issues and a lack of player numbers threaten the survival of the club.

The Devils have suffered big losses in the opening two rounds of the GDFL season against powerhouse North Geelong and Werribee.

O’Toole apologised to Corio’s players, supporters and sponsors if they felt let down.

“That is the very last thing I want you to feel, especially after all the time and effort I have spent with it, ” O’Toole said.

“(I have been) working on getting club back on track and believe me it takes a lot of time, a lot more than people realise.”

Baker said assistant coach Brett Pollard would take over the senior side in the interim.

O’Toole urged the Devils to give throw their “full support” behind Pollard and his coaching staff.

The club veteran wished the Devils “all the best” for the rest of the season.

“I have spent 30 playing years at the club. I do and always will love the Corio Football Netball Club,” he said.

“It has been a part of my family for generations and it will always hold a place close to my heart.”

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