Richmond president besieged
By Patrick Smith and Greg Denham
June 01, 2004
IMMEDIATE past Richmond president Leon Daphne has emerged as a central figure in advising a group working to overthrow embattled president Clinton Casey.
Former Richmond director in the Daphne administration, Charles Macek, last night indicated he was prepared to be part of a well-organised and credible takeover of the club.
In another twist, it is understood, for reasons of harmony, that current board member Rob Turner could be approached by rival groups to act as interim chairman.
Casey remained undaunted by the challengers last night. "I'm up for it. I'm up to the fight," Casey said.
As for Macek, the president said: "He has always held a candle to the position. He was always someone who wants a crack at the presidency."
Macek, a member of the Telstra and Wesfarmers boards and chairman of the Financial Reporting Council, said he was highly concerned about the direction of the Richmond club.
"Concerned with a capital C," he said. "I believe a fish rots from the head and I believe this administration has failed the football club."
A non-executive director at Telstra, Macek in April played a key role in the dispute that led to the surprise resignation of chairman Bob Mansfield.
Last week, Daphne met recently resigned board members Peter Welsh and Brendan Schwab and former player Brendan Gale, who is believed to have rejected an offer by Casey to join the truncated Tigers board.
Daphne, club president from 1994-99, had anticipated Macek would replace him as president in 2000 before Casey made the succession untenable. Daphne said last night: "Obviously, Welsh and Schwab are good friends of mine and, yes, we did talk about our worries about the club.
"I am a concerned supporter but I have no aspirations to take a position with the club."
Daphne, Welsh, Schwab, Gale and Macek are concerned over the direction the club has taken since last December.
A predicted $600,000 profit for 2004 has been downgraded to a $1-$2 million loss and the club has sought a $4m redirection from the AFL. Casey still has a personal $1.6m guarantee with the ANZ bank, helping the club to trade.
The club's chief executive, Ian Campbell, hired in March last year, stepped down from his position last week. Former Commonwealth Games bid administrator Leighton Woods is tipped as his replacement.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,9708118%5E2722,00.html
By Patrick Smith and Greg Denham
June 01, 2004
IMMEDIATE past Richmond president Leon Daphne has emerged as a central figure in advising a group working to overthrow embattled president Clinton Casey.
Former Richmond director in the Daphne administration, Charles Macek, last night indicated he was prepared to be part of a well-organised and credible takeover of the club.
In another twist, it is understood, for reasons of harmony, that current board member Rob Turner could be approached by rival groups to act as interim chairman.
Casey remained undaunted by the challengers last night. "I'm up for it. I'm up to the fight," Casey said.
As for Macek, the president said: "He has always held a candle to the position. He was always someone who wants a crack at the presidency."
Macek, a member of the Telstra and Wesfarmers boards and chairman of the Financial Reporting Council, said he was highly concerned about the direction of the Richmond club.
"Concerned with a capital C," he said. "I believe a fish rots from the head and I believe this administration has failed the football club."
A non-executive director at Telstra, Macek in April played a key role in the dispute that led to the surprise resignation of chairman Bob Mansfield.
Last week, Daphne met recently resigned board members Peter Welsh and Brendan Schwab and former player Brendan Gale, who is believed to have rejected an offer by Casey to join the truncated Tigers board.
Daphne, club president from 1994-99, had anticipated Macek would replace him as president in 2000 before Casey made the succession untenable. Daphne said last night: "Obviously, Welsh and Schwab are good friends of mine and, yes, we did talk about our worries about the club.
"I am a concerned supporter but I have no aspirations to take a position with the club."
Daphne, Welsh, Schwab, Gale and Macek are concerned over the direction the club has taken since last December.
A predicted $600,000 profit for 2004 has been downgraded to a $1-$2 million loss and the club has sought a $4m redirection from the AFL. Casey still has a personal $1.6m guarantee with the ANZ bank, helping the club to trade.
The club's chief executive, Ian Campbell, hired in March last year, stepped down from his position last week. Former Commonwealth Games bid administrator Leighton Woods is tipped as his replacement.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,9708118%5E2722,00.html
