PHILIP Balcombe described his time with Northwich Centurions as an amazing adventure after stepping down as head coach on Sunday.

He told the Guardian that the camaraderie among members had persuaded him to take on the role three-and-a-half years ago.

To that he has added plenty.

“It was emotional to say farewell,” he said.

“I had a little speech worked out when I saw most of the swimmers for the final time, although I didn’t make it to the end.”

Change has been the theme of his tenure.

The club celebrated its 100th birthday in new surroundings at Memorial Court after leaving Moss Farm.

Members agreed on a different name, becoming Centurions, and voted to swap colours.

And Balcombe was present at the ‘rebirth’ as he refers to it.

He said: “It’s been a challenge; the committee had to get used to me, and I to them.

“They trusted me, and backed my ideas.

“The progress made by so many swimmers gives me a lot of satisfaction.

“When they train, or learn, there is now a teacher overseeing every lane.

“It makes a big difference; if you have a coach, with one pair of eyes, looking at 30 swimmers during a session then he won’t pick up as much as one with only six or seven to observe.”

He moves next to Crewe Flyers, but does so knowing a successor is in place.

When he arrived at Northwich, his predecessor had left months earlier and a number of swimmers had transferred to rival clubs.

Balcombe said: “It’s reassuring, because head coaches are hard to find.

“Look around the county – there have been vacancies elsewhere for a while.

“Centurions have avoided that uncertainty, and are now a club that people want to work for.

“I should know – I’ve answered phone calls from people wanting to ask why I’m leaving!

“It’s a sure sign they’re taking notice of Northwich again.”