FORMER general manager of football and general manager of club development Chris Connolly has departed the Demons after rejoining the club at the end of the 2007 season.

Connolly, who played 84 matches with Melbourne from 1982-87 and 1989, later coached Hawthorn for one match in the absence of Peter Schwab, before coaching Fremantle to a club record 129 matches from 2002-07. He was also named one of Melbourne’s 150 Heroes in 2008.

He returned to Melbourne at the end of the 2007 season and was general manager of football until the end of the 2011 season, when he moved into general manager of club development.

A favourite son and popular figure at Melbourne, Connolly’s current position as general manager of club development was made redundant.

Melbourne CEO Peter Jackson said: “This is a business decision based on the best management structure for the Melbourne Football Club moving forward. This is not a performance based decision, but reflects the need to reduce the overall cost of our management structure.”

“Chris will leave a strong legacy at the Melbourne Football Club. He has worked tirelessly, helping ‘The Foundation Heroes’ become the most the successfully fundraising group in the AFL and was instrumental in the club’s community push into the City of Casey.

“Chris is a good football person and I would like to thank him for his contribution during his six years at the Club.”

Connolly said that while he is disappointed to leave, he acknowledges the club’s decision.

“As a life member of the Melbourne Football Club, I am disappointed I cannot assist the club into the future in a full-time capacity. I respect the fact that our new leaders in president Glen Bartlett, CEO Peter Jackson and senior coach Paul Roos deserve the opportunity to do it their way and also deserve the full support of everyone in the Melbourne Football Club family.

The Club has honored Connolly’s contractual obligations.