VALE – John McLafferty
Football NSW was saddened to hear the news of the unfortunate passing of one of Football’s most adored coaches – the well respected and well liked John McLafferty.
The 56-year-old touched many hearts during his time with the world game in NSW after he emigrated from Scotland in the mid-1980s.
He lived and played football on the Northern Beaches before moving to the Central Coast in 1991.
He then joined the Wyoming FC as a player in 1992 and the following year he took over as coach in the Premier League reserve grade team. He then went on to coach the Wyoming First Grade side which saw him take out the Central Coast Football’s Coach of the Year award.
John then went on to coach a number of teams such as the Central Coast Coasties, Lightning and then became the assistant to Tony Walmsley for the Central Coast Mariners youth side in 2011/12.
Spirit FC was to be John’s next destination after gaining a good reputation at the Mariners, he became the Technical Director in 2013 and also coached the First Grade squad in 2015 where they won the PS4 NPL NSW Men’s 2 Premiership.
Known for being popular with the entire football fraternity, McLafferty was without a doubt one of the most loveable characters this game has ever seen.
Football NSW would like to send its deepest and sincerest condolences to John’s family, may he rest in heavenly peace.
