Coach has no ill feeling

FOOTBALL: Former Fire coach Richard Hudson says he is leaving the club on good terms and is happy to let his record speak for itself.

When it was announced last month that the Fire would be part of the inaugural Australian Premier League next season, it was assumed then-coach Hudson would lead them.

He had, after all, taken over the Fire last year and led it to a consecutive premiership-championship double.

And while the side failed to defend the premiership this season, it again won the championship.

But the man tasked with steering the Coast through its first season in the APL's Queensland conference is Kevin A'Herne-Evans.

A'Herne-Evans - a former fulltime professional in England and Wales and a part-time member of the Fire's squad last season - replaced Hudson as Noosa coach when Hudson joined the Coast.

It has since been revealed that Hudson did not have the necessary APL coaching qualifications.

Hudson said he could have attempted to get the qualifications after the Fire's grand final win over the Whitsunday Miners last month, but his poor health prevented that.

He recently had a hip replacement and is undergoing rehab.

He said: "I think I'd done my bit. I don't think the stats lie. Over the two years I've done very well.

"I've brought a lot of young players through. Now it's time for someone else to take it to the next level. I think I leave on good terms as well. There's no ill feeling and I wish the boys all the best."

Hudson said he had received two coaching offers, but would not comment further.

"I'm contracted with the Fire until December 31 and then I'll see what's happening with my football," he said. Fire founder and managing director Noel Woodall has said he would welcome Hudson having a mentoring role at the club next season.