I couldn't find this on the net yet so scanned it in. I'll post it here first so it doesn't get lost in the other thread and merge it later on.
'Awkward' Sheeds pulls pin on Tigers
By Jackie Epstein
Sunday Herald-Sun 12 JUL 2009, Page S03
KEVIN Sheedy has withdrawn from the race to coach Richmond.
The legendary coach, who earlier this month declared his interest, says he will walk away because he senses the club does not want him.
"The club's bigger than the individual,'' Sheedy said yesterday.
"At no stage would I really want to be coaching while Gary March is president. I didn't realise he had said on The Footy Show that I would not coach while he is there.
"I feel awkward that I've embarrassed myself and the club. I had not known that was said. I'm putting my hand down so I don't cause a revolution. I actually thought I'd be a revelation.''
Sheedy was prepared to step into the role because with his experience he feels he can turn the club around.
Last Sunday he met Richmond's head of football Craig Cameron, but will now sit out the process.
"I would think it just paints a very ordinary picture on myself going into another Clayton's interview,'' Sheedy said.
"I think I'd probably be wasting my time like I did with Melbourne and it would take an enormous amount for me not to think that. I would not like to see that happen with Craig Cameron and Tony Free, who I respect.''
Sheedy, who won four premierships during his 27-year tenure as coach at Essendon, was at the Sydney-Essendon game at the SCG yesterday.
He attended alongside the NSW premier and the AFL as they discussed plans for the new West Sydney team.
Since he spoke of his desire to coach again Sheedy has received overwhelming support from Richmond club greats Kevin Bartlett and Tom Hafey, as well as fans.
In a superfooty.com.au poll, 62 percent of almost 5000 votes, were in favour of Sheedy coaching the club.
"I just hope Richmond find a good coach,'' Sheedy said.
"They haven't had a top-class coach since Tom Hafey left in 1976.
"If they don't think they need an experienced coach, good luck to them.''
Sheedy said suggestions that he is too old to coach at 61 were nonsensical. He has not shut the gate on coaching again.
"I could easily say give me a ring in two or three years I'll only still be a baby,'' Sheedy said.
"I can assure you if I was coaching Melbourne the last two years I would have done nearly the same as Dean Bailey and played as many young kids as I could.
"But because you're 59 and 60 those two years, it would have been the fault of when my mother had me.''
Sheedy was overlooked for the Melbourne coaching position after he parted with the Bombers in 2007.
He was disillusioned by that process.
"The Melbourne interview was a total farce, with everywhere I went Craig Hutchison turning up,'' Sheedy said.
"It was obvious that Garry Lyon said this is where I'm going, this is what I'm doing. It was a Channel 9 soap opera.
"When you've been through that and clearly that's what happened, and most of those people aren't at Melbourne now, it was a waste of time.
"Clubs don't realise that they are also being interviewed. I will support the Tigers like I always have and catch Essendon's 40,000 members.''
