But Taylor, who will stand down from the role following Saturday’s clash with Central Highlands Football League reigning premier Hepburn, believes he has helped take the Towners forward.

Dunnstown won four games under Taylor in 2013 and has managed just two victories this season.

“I’m disappointed with the results, but ... I think we have achieved a lot in a lot of other areas. But at the end of the day, clubs are judged on their senior side’s performance and I wear that responsibility,” Taylor said.

“I think the link between the under-17.5s and senior level has improved dramatically because that’s the future and I know individually I have helped a lot of players.”

Taylor said he had had a tough start as a coach after inheriting a senior list that wasn’t overly strong.

“Unfortunately, when I first got there they lost the last three best and fairest winners,” Taylor said.

“It is a big coaching challenge when you are coaching a side that’s down near the bottom.”

The 52-year-old, who said he had decided to step down from the coaching role to spend more time developing his business and to travel

with his wife, remains proud that he has played 12 first-gamers in the senior side in 2014.

Taylor said the club needed to focus on recruiting, particularly a key forward.

Dunnstown president Mark Mullane told The Courier that the club had already begun the process of finding Taylor’s successor and stressed that it was in a strong position across the board, despite the lack of success from the senior football team.

“It’s definitely not Mick’s fault where we are on the ladder. It’s basically the people we have got there at the minute are young, had a few injures and we didn’t pick up the people we thought we were going to pick up,” Mullane said.

“We lack goal-kicking power and we have for a few years.

“These kids will shine if we can get some good stock around them. I don’t think it will take much to turn it around on the field.”

tim.oconnor@fairfaxmedia.com.au