THE Sydney Swans are pleased to announce the appointment of Tom Harley as General Manager – Football, following Dean Moore’s decision to step down after five years in the role.

Newly appointed General Manager - Football, Tom Harley played 198 AFL matches and is a dual premiership captain of Geelong. He will commence the role on November 3.

Since retiring from AFL football at the end of the 2009 season, Harley has held key roles at AFL NSW/ACT, including the role of General Manager, and has also been a part of Channel 7’s AFL coverage.

Sydney Swans CEO Andrew Ireland said Harley was an exciting appointment for the club.

“Tom is a highly regarded person who comes to us with great football experience,” Ireland said.

“He was part of a great club in Geelong throughout a very successful era and was one of the most respected leaders in the game.  

“We have worked closely together while he was at AFL NSW/ACT and I think he is a great appointment to what is a very challenging role.

“Through his role with AFL NSW/ACT, Tom has played a leading role in the development of the code here in Sydney.”

Ireland said he wished to pay particular tribute to the work of outgoing General Manager - Football Dean Moore, whose association with the Swans dates back to the late 1970s.

“Dean has done a wonderful job overseeing our football department since joining us in late 2009,” he said.

“While understated, his leadership has been outstanding.

“Dean has played a vital role in the success of our football program over the past five years, which includes a premiership in 2012 and a Grand Final berth this year.”

Ireland said that whilst Moore would step down from a full-time role with the club, he would stay involved, working on upcoming major projects including a review and upgrade of the club’s facilities.

Moore served as the Club’s team manager in the late 1970s and managed the logistics of South Melbourne’s move to Sydney in 1981, remaining with the club in its formative years in Sydney, before he moved on to join the then VFL. He returned to replace Andrew Ireland as General Manager – Football, at the end of the 2009 season.

Senior Coach John Longmire added his thanks to Moore.

“Dean is a fantastic Swans person and he has been a wonderful support to me personally and the entire football department,” he said.

“He is as hard a worker as you will ever find and his work for our organisation over a long period of time has been outstanding.”

Moore said that after five years in the role, he felt it was the right time to step aside.

“This is something that has been in the planning for some time, and while it is disappointing to bow out after Saturday’s match, I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in the role,” Moore said.

"I love this club and it has been an enormous privilege to part of the football department.

“I have worked with some wonderful people here at the Swans and I look forward to staying involved.”