John Fearnley calls time on lengthy playing and coaching career for Bathurst Panthers

That changes in 2020.

The former Bathurst Penguins Group 10 premiership winner and multiple Bathurst Panthers title-winning coach has made the game a part of his life ever since he was three-years-old.

Following this year's tilt as Panthers under 18s coach - taking the team to a second straight grand final - Fearnley announced he was calling time on his mentoring career.

With Fearnley's sons Adam and now Brad moving through the Bathurst club and onto the Penrith Panthers he was ready to step back and focus on his family.

Fearnley's time in Bathurst couldn't have got off to a better start 22 years ago when he helped the Penguins claim a second club premiership.

He kept an unbeaten player-coaching streak going since that wonderful start, and it only came to an end in the Panthers under 18s recent grand final loss.

Fearnley's contributions to the club have seen him named a life member of both the junior and senior clubs.

"I've been pretty lucky. I came to the club in '97. Wayne Boyd and Dave Scott signed me up from the Roosters and I had a job here as a cellarman. I took the job as coach in '98 and I've been with the club ever since," Fearnley said.

"I didn't expect to be staying here for that amount of time but I've enjoyed every minute of it. I was lucky enough to be the first player to reach 100 first grade games for Panthers.

Keep up to date with the latest sports news by clicking here.

"Coming over after nine years in Sydney, it was great to get back to some bush footy.

"I've been involved in a couple of premierships. I've won one as a player, lost one as a player and lost another as a coach.

"Going downtown I usually bump into someone who I've coached or played with and it's always great catching up with those blokes and looking at their progress."

Across the 10 years stretch of coaching the Panthers premier league side Fearnley also began help mentor the club's junior teams.

The first Panthers junior team Fearnley took control of featured some players who would go on to big things.

"It was an under 14s team with big George Rose and Christian Luyks ... and four years later I was coaching those guys in the first grade side," Fearnley said.

"I've been coaching my own boys' junior sides since then and also some of the senior grades as well and I've really enjoyed it.

"We sat down the other day and worked it out and I believe I've coached somewhere around 400 players."

One of Fearnley proudest achievements is seeing Adam and Brad move on to junior football in Penrith after glowing seasons with the Bathurst club.

"I just want to take the time as a dad to watch the two boys play, enjoy what they're doing and give them support. Hopefully one day they might come back to play at Bathurst," he said.

"They've been around footy all their lives. Adam's been really dedicated to his footy and over the last couple of years Bradley has really come along. Sally and I are very proud parents watching them."

Are there any things in the pipeline for Fearnley now that extra time has been freed up?

"I might try to take up golf," he laughed.

"I'm sure I'll still be involved with footy somewhere, especially with my two younger boys still involved in it."

As for the current state of the Bathurst Panthers premier league team, Fearnley's proud to see Doug Hewitt leading a strong unit to multiple titles.

"I really think he's sitting on the cusp of a dynasty with this side. There's the likes of Jack Siejka, the Seager boys and Blake Lawson who are all in the prime of their footy," he said.

"I'll be surprised if they're not involved in the next three to four grand finals. I'll still be keen to get down to the ground and catch more of their games."