Rebel Richmond group approve Balme appointment The Roar Roar Guru
The Roar
12 Sep 2016The rebel Richmond AFL group ‘Focus on Footy’ says it approves of the club’s appointment of Neil Balme as the new Head of Football.
Despite the decision, the rebel group, headlined by Richmond premiership players Bryan Wood and Bruce Monteath, continue the push for a takeover of the Richmond board.
“We applaud the Richmond Football Club’s decision to appoint Neil Balme,” Dr. Martin Hiscock, President-designate of the Focus on Footy ticket said.
“He is back at Tigerland where we said we wanted him.”
Balme played nine seasons for the Tigers in the 1970s, for a total of 159 games.
He coached Melbourne for four years in the mid-90s before taking over as Football Operations Manager at Collingwood in 1998.
“We believe the installment of Neil as General Manager. Like the CEO of Football role we envisaged, is one of the key initiatives that will resurrect Richmond.”
“We spoke to him several times last week and understand why he has chosen the path of least resistance.
“The Board’s choice of Neil and their plans for him are a carbon copy of one component of our Focus on Footy Plan. They may not be talking to us, but they’re certainly listening!”
While the group was delighted with the appointment, Hiscock continued to criticise the board for what he said was a total lack of accountability for such a mediocre season.
“Balme’s appointment is yet another predictable example of a Board motivated by self-preservation.
“On the footballers’ night of nights, the Club’s B&F last week, Damien Hardwick chose to blame the players and coaches: “The coaching staff and players take full responsibility,” he said.
“We say the blame ultimately rests with the Club’s Board. Success and failure always starts at the top.”
http://www.theroar.com.au/2016/09/12/rebel-richmond-group-approve-balme-appointment/
