MELTON South coach Mathew Sutton is stepping down as coach of the Panthers.
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The club legend and dual Ballarat Football League leading goalkicker will announce to his players on Thursday night that he will not coach the club beyond 2014.
Sutton will continue the rest of the season at the helm, but said he would no longer be able to give the commitment required of a senior coach.
In addition to running his own business, Sutton also juggles family life with three young children, as well as being head coach of the Panthers.
"I've had 30 years of footy, I've probably had enough," he said.
"I can't give 110 per cent to the club, which I need to be able to do. We're doing ourselves an injustice if I was to stay on beyond the year.
"It wouldn't be good for the club and it wouldn't be good for me."
Sutton has enjoyed a decorated career in the Ballarat Football League, which includes being named in the competition's team of the year five times.
He took over as player coach at Melton South last year and led the Panthers to five wins and an eighth-placed finish on the ladder.
This season Melton South has won two games and is in 10th.
After injuring his hamstring two weeks ago, Sutton will be coaching from the sidelines this week against Redan.
He is hoping to be back playing the following week against Melton.
"I can probably let the cat out of the bag now, I haven't actually been able to clench my left fist for a few years," Sutton said.
"The injuries mount when you get older and the body probably needs a rest."
Melton South president Peter Earl thanked Sutton for his massive contribution to the club.
"Matt is a really good bloke and a terrific clubman. He has been at Melton South for 11 years," Earl said.
''He is very passionate about his footy. I'm sure he won't lose the blue and white to go to another club. I am certain about that."