One-Eyed Richmond Forum

Football => Richmond Rant => Topic started by: one-eyed on February 20, 2013, 02:23:13 AM

Title: Gary March to step down as Prez at the end of this season (Age)
Post by: one-eyed on February 20, 2013, 02:23:13 AM
Tigers to march on without top man

    Jake Niall
    The Age
    February 20, 2013



RICHMOND president Gary March has confirmed that he will be stepping down as head of the club at the end of the 2013 season.

March, who has been president of the Tigers since October 2005, said he had told his board and senior executives that he would not seek re-election when his term ends.

March's decision means the club will have several months in which to find a replacement as the next president of Richmond, either selecting a replacement from the board or by drafting in an outsider.

March said that with the club having worked itself into a better and more stable position, the time was right for a handover to another person later this year. He said his three-year term would end in October. ''I've advised the board and I've advised [chief executive] Brendon [Gale] and [head of football] Craig [Cameron] and those people that are execs at the club, that this will be my last year and I won't be seeking re-election for the board on my current term, which ends at the end of this season.''

March nominated his vice-president, Maurice O'Shannassy, as among a number of people on the board who would be capable presidents.

March said he was ready to stand down at season's end, given that many of the goals he had set had been reached by the club, which he hoped would be debt free by the end of this year and had returned ''to a club that people want to go to rather than escape from''. The Tigers were about $4 million in debt only a matter of a few years ago.

''It was the realisation for me that probably a lot of the goals that I've set for myself, about I suppose the regeneration of the club,'' March told Fairfax Media.

''Getting all the right people in Brendon, Craig, Damien [Hardwick], all those people to the club, getting the redevelopment done, getting the oval back to a football oval, finishing all those things, virtually, hopefully this year clearing our debt - I'm pretty sure we'll be out of debt.

''Most of the things that we wanted to achieve are in place, and I just think the timing's right for me to move on and someone else to move in … with the next strategic plan probably in the wings.'' March said he was proud that the Tigers were no longer under financial pressure and with the quality of the personnel working at the club, compared to 2005.

''I just feel like the quality of people we've got there now and the state that the club's in now … we're no longer in financial pressure any more, we're a fairly stable club, we've made seven consecutive profits, some of them quite significant in recent years, we should be out of debt this year.

''We've got close to some of the best facilities in the entire competition.

''Returning Richmond to a club that people want to go to rather than escape from is probably the thing I'm happiest about where we're at … it's not been me, it's the board and the other people that have helped in the journey.

''I'm pretty comfortable that the club's in pretty good hands.''

March said there were ''a number of good candidates'' on Richmond's current board. ''Certainly Maurice O'Shannassy, who's been vice-president for a number of years, knows our club, is a successful business person in his own right.

''I think there are other people who would be more than capable on the current board.

''I'm sure from our current board [we] would be able to find a good next president of Richmond Football Club and hopefully, you know, we've got some good candidates potentially to come on to the board in the next 12 months.''

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/tigers-to-march-on-without-top-man-20130219-2epme.html#ixzz2LMJ7Yp5K
Title: Re: Gary March to step down as Prez at the end of this season (Age)
Post by: tigers_of_old_1980 on February 20, 2013, 04:59:24 AM
March has seen the club through a tough period, and will be leaving at a time when we are without doubt on the rise. A job well done both on and off the field. Thank you Gary for your tireless work!
Title: Re: Gary March to step down as Prez at the end of this season (Age)
Post by: eliminator on February 20, 2013, 06:58:59 AM
Has done a good job in particular setting about to wipe the Club debt.
Title: Re: Gary March to step down as Prez at the end of this season (Age)
Post by: Penelope on February 20, 2013, 09:39:52 AM
yea, another spot to fill, another shance for the fan boys to perform some onanism about another potential messiah.
Title: Re: Gary March to step down as Prez at the end of this season (Age)
Post by: gerkin greg on February 20, 2013, 10:12:00 AM
we never seem to land any of these messiahs, so another ticket in the lottery is always welcome  ;D

SHEEDY FOR PREZ!!!  :santa :birthday :cheers


(Malcolm Speed from within I think  ;))
Title: Re: Gary March to step down as Prez at the end of this season (Age)
Post by: dwaino on February 20, 2013, 10:14:18 AM
Graig, Grary... Who the stuff is the Yoko Ono breaking up the band?  :banghead
Title: Re: Gary March to step down as Prez at the end of this season (Age)
Post by: Smokey on February 20, 2013, 10:16:32 AM
 :lol
Title: Re: Gary March to step down as Prez at the end of this season (Age)
Post by: Mr Magic on February 20, 2013, 10:22:50 AM
Geez the loss to the Indigenous Allstars wasn't THAT bad was it?

All jumping ship.
Title: Re: Gary March to step down as Prez at the end of this season (Age)
Post by: Crazy_Ivan on February 20, 2013, 10:48:24 AM
Geez the loss to the Indigenous Allstars wasn't THAT bad was it?

All jumping ship.
:lol :lol :lol
Title: Re: Gary March to step down as Prez at the end of this season (Age)
Post by: dwaino on February 20, 2013, 12:59:01 PM
Let's get Mick Molloy  :cheers
Title: Re: Gary March to step down as Prez at the end of this season (Age)
Post by: Eat_em_Alive on February 20, 2013, 01:06:30 PM
KB  :bow, was asked about this on SEN. This morning to which he said Mal Speed would be a suitable replacement. I wonder if the rest of the club etc are on the same page about this?
Title: Re: Gary March to step down as Prez at the end of this season (Age)
Post by: tiga on February 20, 2013, 01:09:29 PM
Graig, Grary... Who the stuff is the Yoko Ono breaking up the band?  :banghead
Gold dwaino.  :rollin :thatsgold
Title: Re: Gary March to step down as Prez at the end of this season (Age)
Post by: Phil Mrakov on February 20, 2013, 02:33:27 PM
George Kapinaris
Title: Re: Gary March to step down as Prez at the end of this season (Age)
Post by: Eat_em_Alive on February 20, 2013, 03:12:25 PM
Malcolm Speed on SEN now, Harf will ask him about the RFC presidency
Title: Re: Gary March to step down as Prez at the end of this season (Age)
Post by: gerkin greg on February 20, 2013, 03:24:45 PM
Malcolm Speed on SEN now, Harf will ask him about the RFC presidency

Didn't scotch the idea that he would be the successor, said it was a big year and they'll get through it and see what happens at the end

Gerks Approved, Go Speedy Go!
Title: Re: Gary March to step down as Prez at the end of this season (Age)
Post by: Tigeritis™©® on February 20, 2013, 06:31:07 PM
Was March the bloke who got Benny Gale to the club?

If so then he did at least one  great thing for the RFC.  :thumbsup
Title: Re: Gary March to step down as Prez at the end of this season (Age)
Post by: one-eyed on February 20, 2013, 06:53:14 PM
Was March the bloke who got Benny Gale to the club?

If so then he did at least one  great thing for the RFC.  :thumbsup
March was president when Benny was appointed so the answer would be yes.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/afl/teams/brendon-gale-new-richmond-ceo/story-e6frf9mx-1225759766605
Title: Re: Gary March to step down as Prez at the end of this season (Age)
Post by: one-eyed on February 20, 2013, 06:57:26 PM
Jake Niall on 3aw said March mentioned Maurice O'Shannassy as a possible successor while outsiders think Malcolm Speed could take over. If I heard right Niall believes there's also two people from outside the Club that could be in the running.
Title: Re: Gary March to step down as Prez at the end of this season (Age)
Post by: Gigantor on February 20, 2013, 06:59:13 PM
sheesh oney eyed ,hope this doesnt develop into the mother of all fights for the top job
Title: Re: Gary March to step down as Prez at the end of this season (Age)
Post by: Tigeritis™©® on February 20, 2013, 07:03:12 PM
Jake Niall on 3aw said March mentioned Maurice O'Shannassy as a possible successor while outsiders think Malcolm Speed could take over. If I heard right Niall believes there's also two people from outside the Club that could be in the running.
Would one of those people be Rex Hunt? Or isn't he a member yet?   ;D
Title: Re: Gary March to step down as Prez at the end of this season (Age)
Post by: Tigeritis™©® on February 20, 2013, 07:06:06 PM
Was March the bloke who got Benny Gale to the club?

If so then he did at least one  great thing for the RFC.  :thumbsup
March was president when Benny was appointed so the answer would be yes.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/afl/teams/brendon-gale-new-richmond-ceo/story-e6frf9mx-1225759766605
Thanks O E.
That one decision is enough to award March life membership. Top appointment.  :thumbsup
Title: Re: Gary March to step down as Prez at the end of this season (Age)
Post by: Rodgerramjet on February 20, 2013, 09:37:08 PM
My thoughts on this are that our next president needs to come from a current sitting board member and not anyone from the outside. To do otherwise In my opinion would be non optimum.

Speed would be my choice simply because he has held positions of comparable magnitude and would fit seamlessly into the position, has connections and holds a significant standing in the public psyche.

I have nothing against any of the other board members, my opinion is that speed gives us that little extra edge.
Title: Re: Gary March to step down as Prez at the end of this season (Age)
Post by: gerkin greg on February 20, 2013, 10:26:43 PM
Speed is already in the Australian Sports Hall of Fame as an Administrator. So far ahead of any candidate it should be a fait accompli.
Title: Re: Gary March to step down as Prez at the end of this season (Age)
Post by: Rampstar on February 21, 2013, 10:46:30 AM
Malcolm Speed - Joined Board a while back, A Richmond Man with a great career in Sports Administration and my favorite for the job.

Maurice O'Shannessy - Successful in the Business, been at RFC a long time, Wouldnt surprise to see him get the job and clearly with Speed the two main contenders IMHO.

Michael Green - Lawyer, Richmond Premiership Player and Team of the Century Member. Would make a great President also but maybe time needed to do the job would impact. Could see him joining the board as replacement for March but not get the presidency.

Mark Cowan - Runs a very successful Branding and Marketing Company. Use to Run South Dragons NBL. A Richmond Man also. An Outside Chance.

Mark Smith - Use to run Cadbury Schweppes, A Richmond Man and some who is well respected in Business. Another with an Outside Chance IMHO.

Thats how I see the Potential Presidential Contenders, Maybe someone will come from outside this group but its unlikely IMHO. We have a very good group of people to choose from.
Title: Re: Gary March to step down as Prez at the end of this season (Age)
Post by: JVT on February 21, 2013, 11:06:12 AM
Good write up Ramps, cheers as I know very little about the candidates.  :cheers
Title: Re: Gary March to step down as Prez at the end of this season (Age)
Post by: Smokey on February 21, 2013, 11:53:40 AM
I reckon you got the order of likelihood spot on too Ramps.   :thumbsup
Title: Re: Gary March to step down as Prez at the end of this season (Age)
Post by: one-eyed on September 11, 2013, 03:11:53 PM
March set to stand down

By richmondfc.com.au
1:41pm AEST Wednesday, September 11, 2013


Gary March is about to hand over the reins of the Richmond presidency . . .

March, who has served as the Club’s president since 2005, announced early in the year that he would relinquish the role at the end of the 2013 season.

“I’ll stick around till the Jack Dyer Medal, which is on the 30th of September and, probably a couple of days after that, I’ll step down and we’ll announce who takes over from me,” March said on 3AW.

“It will come from the existing board.  It will be resolved fairly quickly and it’ll be a seamless transition.”

Under March’s presidency, Richmond has ticked off many significant achievements, including the impressive new football facilities at the ME Bank Centre, Punt Road Oval, the reconfiguration of the ground’s playing surface, eradication of the Club’s $4 million debt, more than 60,000 members (the third highest in the competition) and a return to finals football for the first time in 12 years.

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2013-09-11/march-set-to-stand-down
Title: Re: Gary March to step down as Prez at the end of this season (Age)
Post by: one-eyed on September 13, 2013, 02:07:22 PM
Richmond president Gary March is convinced the Club is much better placed to build on the gains made this season than the previous time it made the finals in 2001.

“Overall, it was a really strong year, a building year.  But we’re under no illusions we’ve got to get better, and going out first week in the finals tells us that.”

Read more and the full article at: http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2013-09-13/healthy-hungry-tigers
Title: Re: Gary March to step down as Prez at the end of this season (Age)
Post by: one-eyed on October 01, 2013, 09:08:54 PM
March calls time
By richmondfc.com.au
Tuesday, October 1, 2013


“It’s been my great honour to serve the Richmond Football Club,” Gary March said.

“It’s been a very humbling experience, that I’ve been afforded that honor, and it’s something I’ve never taken for granted.

“I don’t see it as leaving the Club, but rather finishing another stanza in my association with the Club.

“The Richmond Football Club is part of my DNA.  Once a Tiger, you remain a Tiger for life.”

Read more at: http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2013-10-01/march-calls-time

 :clapping
Title: Re: Gary March to step down as Prez at the end of this season (Age)
Post by: YellowandBlackBlood on October 01, 2013, 09:14:50 PM
March calls time
By richmondfc.com.au
Tuesday, October 1, 2013


“It’s been my great honour to serve the Richmond Football Club,” Gary March said.

“It’s been a very humbling experience, that I’ve been afforded that honor, and it’s something I’ve never taken for granted.

“I don’t see it as leaving the Club, but rather finishing another stanza in my association with the Club.

“The Richmond Football Club is part of my DNA.  Once a Tiger, you remain a Tiger for life.”

Read more at: http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2013-10-01/march-calls-time

 :clapping
:clapping :clapping
Title: Re: Gary March to step down as Prez at the end of this season (Age)
Post by: Smokey on October 01, 2013, 09:22:05 PM
I thought it was a very good heartfelt speech.  His voice seemed to waver a couple of times so you could tell it was important to him what he was saying.  He has done a fine job and left a very good legacy.   :clapping :clapping :clapping
Title: Re: Gary March to step down as Prez at the end of this season (Age)
Post by: Hellenic Tiger on October 01, 2013, 09:39:02 PM
Club is debt free so considering the perilous financial predicament the club was in when Clinton Casey left he has done a fine job. Shows off field how far back we really were financially compared to other clubs.
Title: Re: Gary March to step down as Prez at the end of this season (Age)
Post by: Hard Roar Tiger on October 02, 2013, 03:13:23 AM
Let's also remember that he was Clint Caseys Vice President. A fair amount of pooh he cleaned up had come from his own backside. Credit though as club is now looking great.
Title: Re: Gary March to step down as Prez at the end of this season (Age)
Post by: Smokey on October 02, 2013, 07:27:39 AM
Let's also remember that he was Clint Caseys Vice President. A fair amount of pooh he cleaned up had come from his own backside. Credit though as club is now looking great.

11 months as Vice president under Casey and 3 years total on the board prior to becoming President.  Yeah, would have been largely his fault the club was in the state it was at the end of '05.   :banghead
Title: Re: Gary March to step down as Prez at the end of this season (Age)
Post by: WilliamPowell on October 02, 2013, 09:03:11 AM
Let's also remember that he was Clint Caseys Vice President. A fair amount of pooh he cleaned up had come from his own backside. Credit though as club is now looking great.

11 months as Vice president under Casey and 3 years total on the board prior to becoming President.  Yeah, would have been largely his fault the club was in the state it was at the end of '05.   :banghead

Think all Directors whoever they are and at whatever point in time should always take responsibility for being part of a board when things go pear shaped, just like they should all take kudos when things get turned around.

Outside of Chadwick, Speed and Walsh all other Directors were part of the board when Casey was president, all ran on his ticket back in 2008

But that was then, it is done and over with

We are in a much better place because of a lot of hard work by alot of people, not just one or 2 individuals
Title: Re: Gary March to step down as Prez at the end of this season (Age)
Post by: Smokey on October 02, 2013, 10:40:03 AM
Let's also remember that he was Clint Caseys Vice President. A fair amount of pooh he cleaned up had come from his own backside. Credit though as club is now looking great.

11 months as Vice president under Casey and 3 years total on the board prior to becoming President.  Yeah, would have been largely his fault the club was in the state it was at the end of '05.   :banghead

Think all Directors whoever they are and at whatever point in time should always take responsibility for being part of a board when things go pear shaped, just like they should all take kudos when things get turned around.

Outside of Chadwick, Speed and Walsh all other Directors were part of the board when Casey was president, all ran on his ticket back in 2008

But that was then, it is done and over with

We are in a much better place because of a lot of hard work but alot of people, not just one or 2 individuals

Was not advocating he shouldn't take some responsibility but HRT's comment sounded to me like he was placing a large portion of blame on March and I didn't think it was fair (but if I've misread HRT's intent then I apologise).

I'm not sure what you are referring to with "Outside of Chadwick, Speed and Walsh all other Directors were part of the board when Casey was president, all ran on his ticket back in 2008 " but only March (3 years), O'Shannassy (2 years), Matthies (2 years) and Dalton (1 year) were on Casey's board and it would be very easy to mount an argument that it took this collective group a year or 2 to put things in place to effectively remove Casey from his position.  Casey had already caused enormous damage in his first couple of years and was not of an ego that was ever going to go quickly or reasonably until the numbers and sheer weight of evidence was insurmountable so to blame this group heavily is not (imho) fair or reasonable.  If they were indeed 'guilty' of the mismanagement that was a feature of Casey's regime and that plunged us into a deep morass of trouble then surely they would not have been capable of orchestrating and directing the huge turnaround in the club since '05?  I think we underestimate how hard it is to remove a president when he has the board filled (initially especially) with his own people and that it takes numbers, time and a certain amount of courage from the other directors to do so.  I would say with the benefit of hindsight that March et al saw the problems quite early on and were working as best they could to take control , even though to us we didn't see any tangible evidence until '05.
Title: Re: Gary March to step down as Prez at the end of this season (Age)
Post by: WilliamPowell on October 02, 2013, 11:14:54 AM
I'm not sure what you are referring to with "Outside of Chadwick, Speed and Walsh all other Directors were part of the board when Casey was president, all ran on his ticket back in 2008 " but only March (3 years), O'Shannassy (2 years), Matthies (2 years) and Dalton (1 year) were on Casey's board and it would be very easy to mount an argument that it took this collective group a year or 2 to put things in place to effectively remove Casey from his position. 

Sorry my typo it should have read 2005 or 2004 whenever we had the last big board dust up  ;D

My point was/is all of these Directors stood with Casey on his ticket back in 2005 when challenged by the "Big 4 Group". They supported him. Garry Cameron was on that ticket and he had been on the board before Casey. The only real Casey stooge was Anthony Mithen and we know what happened to him  ;D

I have read over time alot of people be very critical of the Casey and his board back then (rightly). However, the facts are all directors at that time need to take responsibility and be held accountable for mistakes of that time. Everyone seems to think Casey ran some sort of dictatorship and that every decision the board of that time took were solely Casey's my argument/point is that this is incorrect.

I am not quite sure how you've come up with the premise that these people somehow removed Casey from the position of President. Casey quit. He wasnt pushed, there was no coup he quit.

Quote
Casey had already caused enormous damage in his first couple of years and was not of an ego that was ever going to go quickly or reasonably until the numbers and sheer weight of evidence was insurmountable so to blame this group heavily is not (imho) fair or reasonable.  If they were indeed 'guilty' of the mismanagement that was a feature of Casey's regime and that plunged us into a deep morass of trouble then surely they would not have been capable of orchestrating and directing the huge turnaround in the club since '05?  I think we underestimate how hard it is to remove a president when he has the board filled (initially especially) with his own people and that it takes numbers, time and a certain amount of courage from the other directors to do so.  I would say with the benefit of hindsight that March et al saw the problems quite early on and were working as best they could to take control , even though to us we didn't see any tangible evidence until '05.

Again you say that Casey's board were filled with his own people an on this you are probably correct but my argument is that a number of these people still remain on the board today. Good example is Rob Dalton who is not only a tremendous operator in his field of expertise but a terrific bloke as well. He was hand picked by Casey to join the board because of his skills in corporate governance which was desperately needed at the time.

Again I am not sure how you can suggest that all the mistakes were solely the doing of Casey. Let me make it clear I am not defending the mistakes the club made during that time. But what I have issue with is the fact seem to think he somehow did it all on his own. Boards make decisions, they vote on things. Having sat on a board one of a footy club myself I can tell you one person simply doesn't have that much power.

I would argue strongly that there was never any power struggle to take control of things and remove Casey. I am actually slighlty bemused as to how you've come up with the idea to be honest

All I am trying to say is to blame just one person for the "ills" of the past is not fair or reasonable, collectively the directors on the board at the time are repsonsible 
Title: Re: Gary March to step down as Prez at the end of this season (Age)
Post by: Rampstar on October 02, 2013, 12:41:55 PM
its hard to tell exactly who was to blame and for what but for me 1) the greg miller onto the board was a disgrace and 2) iain campbell may have been a good bloke and a good ceo at a company like Nike but he didnt understand the nuances of running a football club imho (although thats how it seems to me and I may be wrong on that).
Title: Re: Gary March to step down as Prez at the end of this season (Age)
Post by: gerkin greg on October 02, 2013, 01:02:43 PM
Remember when Gary was Mr. Rent-a-quote

those were the days
Title: Re: Gary March to step down as Prez at the end of this season (Age)
Post by: Smokey on October 02, 2013, 03:02:11 PM

My point was/is all of these Directors stood with Casey on his ticket back in 2005 when challenged by the "Big 4 Group". They supported him. Garry Cameron was on that ticket and he had been on the board before Casey. The only real Casey stooge was Anthony Mithen and we know what happened to him  ;D

The "Big 4" challenge was really in 2004 (lining up with the current trend of Dec AGM's) so the reality is that when the challenge of the "Big 4" occurred, March had only been on the board for 2 years, O'Shannassy 1 month, Matthies 1 year and Dalton 2 months so it was entirely reasonable that at least 3 of the 4 would not have had little or no time to form an opinion or become involved in any powerbloc move against Casey at that time and thus logical that they would have run under the Casey ticket, especially so given that at least 1 (Dalton) was a Casey appointee.  And let's not forget the role of Miller in that election also.  Interestingly, less than 12 months later Casey had been replaced by March so I am confident my take on the likely reasons for March etc not reacting immediately on election still stands up - he needed support to 'force' Casey out and he wasn't going to get that support immediately from at least 2 of the current members who had just sat down in their seats.

Quote

I have read over time alot of people be very critical of the Casey and his board back then (rightly). However, the facts are all directors at that time need to take responsibility and be held accountable for mistakes of that time. Everyone seems to think Casey ran some sort of dictatorship and that every decision the board of that time took were solely Casey's my argument/point is that this is incorrect.

I am not quite sure how you've come up with the premise that these people somehow removed Casey from the position of President. Casey quit. He wasnt pushed, there was no coup he quit.

It was common knowledge at the time that Richmond were in a precarious position that was getting worse by the month and if you believe that Casey simply walked without a silent nudge or push then I would class you as naive at best.  From your own archives:

Casey offers to quit
By Michael Stevens and Jon Pierik
The Australian/Herald Sun
December 10, 2004

BESEIGED Richmond president Clinton Casey is believed to have offered to resign in 12 months if the club's financial position does not improve.

The offer is the latest development in an increasingly nasty election campaign which has had more twists and turns than a mystery novel.

Casey has come under intense fire from past Tiger champions for what is perceived as a dictatorial leadership style.

And the confirmation of a $2.2 million loss for season 2004 has flamed the voices of discontent.

Casey's threat of legal action against past club stalwarts Bryan Wood and Peter Welsh - both members of the rival Charles Macek-led rebel ticket - has also not endeared him to past players.


http://oneeyed-richmond.com/forum/index.php?topic=1130.110;wap2 (http://oneeyed-richmond.com/forum/index.php?topic=1130.110;wap2)

Quote

Again you say that Casey's board were filled with his own people an on this you are probably correct but my argument is that a number of these people still remain on the board today. Good example is Rob Dalton who is not only a tremendous operator in his field of expertise but a terrific bloke as well. He was hand picked by Casey to join the board because of his skills in corporate governance which was desperately needed at the time.

Again I am not sure how you can suggest that all the mistakes were solely the doing of Casey. Let me make it clear I am not defending the mistakes the club made during that time. But what I have issue with is the fact seem to think he somehow did it all on his own. Boards make decisions, they vote on things. Having sat on a board one of a footy club myself I can tell you one person simply doesn't have that much power.

I would argue strongly that there was never any power struggle to take control of things and remove Casey. I am actually slighlty bemused as to how you've come up with the idea to be honest

All I am trying to say is to blame just one person for the "ills" of the past is not fair or reasonable, collectively the directors on the board at the time are repsonsible

I re-iterate - only March (and stretching it Matthies) can be even remotely classed as responsible for any of the havoc wrought during the Casey years - Dalton and O'Shannassy were brand new and this existing group saw off Casey less than 12 months later from which point our club has improved (off-field first and then on-field) in every single year since.  That's not a coincidence.
Title: Re: Gary March to step down as Prez at the end of this season (Age)
Post by: Hard Roar Tiger on October 02, 2013, 03:04:49 PM
I reckon the speech would've been more heart felt if he acknowledged he was part of a board which left a massive stain on our club 10 years ago. To his credit, which I acknowledged in a prior post, we are in a much healthier position on and off field.
I find it amazing those revisionists can see only the good he has done.
I find it more amazing he didn't have the balls to admit his stuff ups at the beginning of his time on the board.
Title: Re: Gary March to step down as Prez at the end of this season (Age)
Post by: tony_montana on October 02, 2013, 03:26:45 PM
Remember when Gary was Mr. Rent-a-quote

those were the days

massive facepalm moments - nearly all of them

 :facepalm :facepalm :facepalm
Title: Re: Gary March to step down as Prez at the end of this season (Age)
Post by: WilliamPowell on October 02, 2013, 03:46:21 PM
The "Big 4" challenge was really in 2004 (lining up with the current trend of Dec AGM's) so the reality is that when the challenge of the "Big 4" occurred, March had only been on the board for 2 years, O'Shannassy 1 month, Matthies 1 year and Dalton 2 months so it was entirely reasonable that at least 3 of the 4 would not have had little or no time to form an opinion or become involved in any powerbloc move against Casey at that time and thus logical that they would have run under the Casey ticket, especially so given that at least 1 (Dalton) was a Casey appointee.  And let's not forget the role of Miller in that election also.  Interestingly, less than 12 months later Casey had been replaced by March so I am confident my take on the likely reasons for March etc not reacting immediately on election still stands up - he needed support to 'force' Casey out and he wasn't going to get that support immediately from at least 2 of the current members who had just sat down in their seats.


O'Shannessy was bought onto the board Casey, you will find they are long time friends.

Obviously we are going to have to agree to disagree on the issue of them forcing out Casey. 

I know that it wasn't the case, there was no coup and that Casey quit for business reason. Running multi million dollar empires can be timing consuming  ;D

You clearly hold a very different view and that's OK  :thumbsup

I am certainly not naive on this particular issue.  ;)

The article you quote was pre the election. And to be honest I didn't put much credence in what the past players back had to say back then. Unfortunatley their actions of undermining boards of the RFC over the years has never been in question. Who could forget their continual pushes to get Sheedy back to the Club. There have even been rumblings from them during the last 4 years (just go back to Dimma's 1st & 2nd years  ;D). It seems they have only subsided since Benny Gale has been at the Club.

I have great admiration for what Gary March has done, what has been achieved on his watch. Being a Footy Club president is a bloody tough gig and he has done an outstanding job. That cannot be disputed because he leaves with the Club being in a better place than it was when he got there and that is IMV the job of a club director. 

But I'd also guarantee you he wouldn't take the kudos for all the achievmeents because that's not his style. He would demand all his co-directors and the Clubs management team receive the kudos too.

But if you are going to take the kudos you can't ignore the mistakes not matter how long the your tenure. And to his and the boards credit they have rectified the mistakes
Title: Re: Gary March to step down as Prez at the end of this season (Age)
Post by: Willy on October 02, 2013, 06:43:17 PM
Know the Oshan' fam. Good folks. Tigers to the core.
Title: Re: Gary March to step down as Prez at the end of this season (Age)
Post by: Smokey on October 02, 2013, 07:50:50 PM

O'Shannessy was bought onto the board Casey, you will find they are long time friends.

Obviously we are going to have to agree to disagree on the issue of them forcing out Casey. 

I know that it wasn't the case, there was no coup and that Casey quit for business reason. Running multi million dollar empires can be timing consuming  ;D

You clearly hold a very different view and that's OK  :thumbsup

I am certainly not naive on this particular issue.  ;)

The article you quote was pre the election. And to be honest I didn't put much credence in what the past players back had to say back then. Unfortunatley their actions of undermining boards of the RFC over the years has never been in question. Who could forget their continual pushes to get Sheedy back to the Club. There have even been rumblings from them during the last 4 years (just go back to Dimma's 1st & 2nd years  ;D). It seems they have only subsided since Benny Gale has been at the Club.

I have great admiration for what Gary March has done, what has been achieved on his watch. Being a Footy Club president is a bloody tough gig and he has done an outstanding job. That cannot be disputed because he leaves with the Club being in a better place than it was when he got there and that is IMV the job of a club director. 

But I'd also guarantee you he wouldn't take the kudos for all the achievmeents because that's not his style. He would demand all his co-directors and the Clubs management team receive the kudos too.

But if you are going to take the kudos you can't ignore the mistakes not matter how long the your tenure. And to his and the boards credit they have rectified the mistakes

I certainly won't dispute that O'Shannassy, Dalton and probably some others were 'Casey' men and looking back it is probably one of the (very) few good moves Casey made in his 5 years getting them onto the board because they have proven themselves now to be excellent board members.  My main gripe right from the start was the level of blame I felt was being directed at March and I still stand by that 100% as it is not fair or reasonable to inordinately blame 1 non-executive director of 2 years tenure for the poor position of the club then that took Casey and the whole board 5 years to reach.  Take his whack yes, but not "A fair amount of pooh he cleaned up had come from his own backside", imho that wasn't fair or valid.

As for the past players, I didn't state I thought they were blameless or correct in their role but I did use the mention of them in that article to highlight how Casey had everyone offside at the time and it seemed to me (as a club outsider but a passionate interested party) that Casey would not acknowledge the position the club was in, the failure over many seasons in all areas of the club, and the need to change what was going seriously (and terminally if left unchecked) wrong. His arrogance was easily perceived and I believe it would not have been far from the truth/reality.  Going back to the 'past players', I believe a group of them to be as destructive an influence as anyone else in the club then and now (as soon as things don't go peachy) and I'm certainly not a fan or devotee!  ;)

I will defer to your opinion that Casey left entirely of his own will because of his own business pressures (and acknowledge you aren't/weren't naive in the matter  ;D ) but I still remember the groundswell of opinion around the club at the time that the guy was an egotistical failure as a club president who was going to drag the whole club into oblivion if left run unchecked.  Surely where there was smoke, there was some fire?  :-\  This is why I have formed the view that it was the 'new' board that was the catalyst for Casey leaving less than 12 months after winning the election and it will be hard for me to change that view.  Even if some of them were 'Casey' men they have proved themselves capable of recognising failure and acting appropriately and accordingly to correct it - something that Casey himself appeared incapable of doing.

I remain comfortable with my opinion of Casey's legacy to our club and where the real blame for the ills of his tenure lies but I acknowledge your view and place in and around it all.   :thumbsup
Title: Re: Gary March to step down as Prez at the end of this season (Age)
Post by: WilliamPowell on October 02, 2013, 08:19:36 PM

I remain comfortable with my opinion of Casey's legacy to our club and where the real blame for the ills of his tenure lies but I acknowledge your view and place in and around it all.   :thumbsup

 :thumbsup :thumbsup

Title: Re: Gary March to step down as Prez at the end of this season (Age)
Post by: Rampstar on October 02, 2013, 09:29:43 PM
Look I have never been a big fan of the Casey Presidency but he did do some good things for the club didnt he put in avery decent amount of money to the Jack Dyer Fund and then the development of a new office wing and pool for the players?
Title: Re: Gary March to step down as Prez at the end of this season (Age)
Post by: WilliamPowell on October 02, 2013, 10:03:16 PM
Look I have never been a big fan of the Casey Presidency but he did do some good things for the club didnt he put in avery decent amount of money to the Jack Dyer Fund and then the development of a new office wing and pool for the players?

Yes and made a significant donation to the FTF the night it was launched
Title: Re: Gary March to step down as Prez at the end of this season (Age)
Post by: YellowandBlackBlood on October 02, 2013, 10:10:25 PM
Casey is much maligned.
I met him on several occasions. He did things he genuinely felt were the best for the club.  I know everyone cans Wallace now, but it was a coup at the time getting him as he was thought to be the best game day coach going around.  He was just poo at developing youngsters (which he admitted to) and that is what was needed. At the time a recruiting department was under budgeted and it showed. No developmental coaches. Casey didn't create this he inherited this.
Title: Re: Gary March to step down as Prez at the end of this season (Age)
Post by: Hellenic Tiger on October 02, 2013, 10:48:59 PM
As has been mentioned he is leaving the place in a much better shape than what he found it and ultimately while he may have erred in his previous capacity at the club as well as this one may I add it's the final result that counts and for that he gets a pass for me considering we are no longer in debt and most importantly under his tenure the single most important person who can resurrect the club arrived in Benny Gale leading to a different more clinical and professional approach which leaves us with our best chance in thirty odd years to equate this into on field success. :thumbsup
Title: Re: Gary March to step down as Prez at the end of this season (Age)
Post by: DCrane on October 02, 2013, 10:54:24 PM
Yes and made a significant donation to the FTF the night it was launched

With whose money? His own, or was it some of the $40 million that he owed to creditors at the time?
Title: Re: Gary March to step down as Prez at the end of this season (Age)
Post by: Darth Tiger on October 03, 2013, 02:16:19 AM
Is Gary taking the Hummer brand with him ?

I'll never forget how he ignored Dave Cuzens at a post match in Perth.
Title: Re: Gary March to step down as Prez at the end of this season (Age)
Post by: WilliamPowell on October 03, 2013, 06:57:38 AM
Is Gary taking the Hummer brand with him ?

I'll never forget how he ignored Dave Cuzens at a post match in Perth.

Do you you mean Hummel? The former company he owned held the rights to Hummel

And they haven't been a sponsor (via CSI/BSI) of the Tigers for over 6 years

Yes and made a significant donation to the FTF the night it was launched

With whose money? His own, or was it some of the $40 million that he owed to creditors at the time?

Who owed creditors $40mil? You've lost me March or Casey?
Title: Re: Gary March to step down as Prez at the end of this season (Age)
Post by: DCrane on October 03, 2013, 07:28:22 PM
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/bank-acts-on-debts-of-company-formerly-owned-by-clinton-casey/story-e6frf7kx-1226008673392
Title: Re: Gary March to step down as Prez at the end of this season (Age)
Post by: WilliamPowell on October 03, 2013, 07:57:53 PM
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/bank-acts-on-debts-of-company-formerly-owned-by-clinton-casey/story-e6frf7kx-1226008673392

Ta  :thumbsup