Tiger boss fears rebel challenge will harm club
18 June 2004
Herald Sun
Mark Stevens
RICHMOND president Clinton Casey last night warned any boardroom upheaval would harm recruiting as rebel member Michael Pahoff declared he would not back down.
Pahoff has confidently declared his petition is the "loaded gun" that will dispose of Casey, but the Tigers' boss has declared he is in the role for the long haul for the good of the club.
Pahoff, who met Casey and Tigers' football director Greg Miller on Wednesday night, said an alternative ticket was preparing to swoop once a vote of no confidence in the board was passed.
"I continue to talk to many people behind the scenes. I am told to continue the petition and collect the required signatures. I will," Pahoff said.
"The alternative ticket is preparing itself. It knows that it must be ready in August-September. They have said that the petition is the loaded gun that they will use on Casey."
With about 60 signatures of members already collected, Pahoff will be at the end of the Bourke St footbridge at Telstra Dome on Saturday night in a bid to get the 100 signatures needed to force an emergency general meeting.
But Casey said Pahoff's actions could only prove destructive for Richmond.
"We don't think the course of action being proposed is best for the football club," Casey said.
"We know that this fellow and his father have a history of this type of behaviour. We think it's highly inappropriate. He's no doubt going to disrupt the season for the entire club – coaches and players included."
Casey said he was in the job for the long-term in the best interests of the club.
"I don't think these actions are in line with those best interests so they'll be met with stout opposition," Casey said.
"If he's got better candidates than the current board then where appropriate we would stand aside in the best interests of the footy club.
"But they have to be credible candidates that can bring some substance to the footy club to help it rebuild for the future."
Pahoff said he had made a pact with gathering forces not to mention names of those ready to challenge. But he did confirm he now had more support to ensure he gets enough signatures.
"There are other parties who are actively working to get the petition signed."
Pahoff said there was no chance of him being swayed to delay action until after the season.
"The more information I learn, the more I realise that if this waits until December-January there may not be a club around," Pahoff said.
Pahoff called for commonsense at Telstra Dome on Saturday night given the potential of his stance to split the fans.
"I hope everyone will be well behaved on Saturday evening. I wouldn't want anybody getting hurt," Pahoff said. "Sometimes a very small percentage of people can be badly behaved. Even though people may take sides one way or another, we need to behave ourselves."
Pahoff said he would not be part of any new board if he achieved his goal.
"I don't think I've got the strength. It has been an exhausting week. I'm starting to feel it now," he said.
"I would like to help the club and contribute, but I feel there are more able and worthy people out there than myself."
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