FOOTBALL has always been a family affair for Paul Spargo, who followed his father and grandfather into VFL-AFL ranks before returning to his beloved Albury.

In his third stint as senior coach with the Albury Tigers, Spargo said the Ovens and Murray League remained "one of the great competitions" with every club, on its day, capable of beating each other.

"It's unique in a way," he said. "As in a town like this (Albury), you work and see so many different guys associated with so many different clubs.

"On Saturday, once you coach and cross that white line, it's war until 5.30pm when you have a beer together."

Now 43, Spargo led Albury to a rare undefeated season last year. The Tigers' reserves were also undefeated.

With player movements, the club's 23-game winning streak ended against Yarrawonga early this season, but Spargo said it was all part of the weekly challenge of assembling the best available side.

"Our club is in a good position," he said. "We have never been truly financial or ever really known where our future lies, but the backing of late has been great, giving us all great hope for long-running success into the future."

A 90-game player at North Melbourne and Brisbane, renowned for his polished skills and sticky-fingered marking, Spargo said he had always aspired to coach back at Albury, one of the O&M's most famous sides, known for such former greats as Haydn Bunton snr and Essendon legend Jack Jones.

"It was quite embarrassing really, but they made me coach of their Team of the Century ahead of people like Haydn Bunton and Jack, who is centre-half-forward and captain and who won the '56 O&M flag before losing the next one by a point."

Growing up in Albury, Spargo's main ambition was to coach the local football team.

"I didn't aspire to AFL footy," he said. "It was always my dream to coach Albury and I was fortunate to come back and do it."

The 1995 premiership in the club's 100th year remains a highlight. It was the first of three in a row.

The Tigers kicked just five goals against Wodonga, yet won by four points.

"It was a very wet day and the lowest winning score in an Ovens and Murray grand final," Spargo said. "We hadn't won a flag for a long time. That was a great premiership.

"That group all stayed together and we went on to win three in a row."

He said his coaching style in country football had been fashioned around some of the coaches he had, particularly the leaders at North Melbourne in John Kennedy and Denis Pagan.

Spargo's grandfather, Bob, played VFL football as did his father, Bob jnr, who represented both Victoria and Western Australia. His uncle, Rick Spargo, also played VFL.

Spargo's two boys, Abe and Charlie, are also keen junior footballers and love going to North games with their dad.