Cleary quits.
From the "Moreland Leader"
Cleary quits Tigers to set New goals
by Kate Kyriacou
In 1975, a young Phil Cleary ran onto the grounds
of the Coburg Football Club for his first match with
the Tigers (note they weren't Tigers then - bak).
Nearly 30 years on and the football enthusiast has
clocked up 200 games, coached the side in back to
back premierships, taken on the role of president
and brought the ailing club back from the brink of
financial ruin.
But last week, Cleary decided it was time to throw
in the towel.
"I didn't really want to be president last year, but
the club was going down the slippery slope," he said.
"Things were crook, there was financial trouble and
the previous board resigned in April - just on the
opening of the season."
Cleary agreed to step in as caretaker for a short time -
but like most sporting club volunteers, the "short time"
wasn't to be so short.
The ex-federal MP and sports commentator decided an
AFL partnership was the best way to secure a future
free of financial stress.
And it wasn't long before the Richmond Football Club
signed on (cough! What about the previous 3 years?
- bak).
"The club's in a position now where they will be able to
proceed successfully," Cleary said.
His role will be handed on to vice president and
Electrical Trades Union secretary Dean Mighell.
"Dean's a quality person with lots of experience - he'll
do well," Cleary said.
"But I've been there, done that and I just don't have time anymore.
"With working on the live broadcast on ABC every Saturday and going to the football at Coburg
every Sunday, I just wanted my weekends back.
"I want to be able to go and see and arthouse film on
the weekend.
"I want to wander into the country for a bit of reflection
time.
"I'm even thinking about writing another book."
Cleary said he looked forward to expressing his political
views on the football world without having a club
affliation.
"I've got more independence if I'm not directly connected
to a club he said.
"I'll have more room to say what I want to say.
"But I'll enjoy being able to just wander down to the
club and take my boys along for a kick of the footy.
