From article Tiger cull posted by FF on the "players cut" thread. I've split the topics up [ed. one-eyed].
By Mark Robinson
Herald-Sun
September 1, 2004
The clean-out, under new coach Terry Wallace, came on the same day president Clinton Casey and wannabe president Brendan Schwab drew swords over control of Punt Rd.
Schwab told the Herald Sun last night he would this week ask Casey to resign and if Casey didn't he'd likely call for an early election.
Casey, however, was adamant he would not step aside and labelled Schwab "untrustworthy" for hinting at a pre-December election that had been agreed to.
The off-field drama began yesterday when Casey and Schwab stood firm over their leadership intentions.
The two had agreed, among other things, that there be negotiations over a transition of power and, if that could not be agreed, then an election - effectively Casey v Schwab - would be held in December.
Schwab confirmed yesterday he would approach Casey this week and ask for his resignation.
"That's the critical step in the negotiations and that's Clinton Casey to make a decision about his future," he said.
Asked last night if he would resign, Casey said: "No".
Schwab said an election earlier than December was now an option.
"Clinton needs to understand that the people of Richmond gave him a five-year opportunity to build Richmond and the culmination of that five-year period has been the worst on-field and off-field performance in the history of the club," he said.
"And if he says, 'No, I'm not stepping down', then we will increase our group of seven to nine and will then conduct a full board election.
"The timing of that is something we would review but in the absence of full disclosure of the financials, then clearly we would have to consider bringing the election forward."
Casey's standing at the club and in the eyes of supporters has improved in recent weeks.
The appointment of Wallace, the arrival of new chief executive Steven Wright, new football and recruiting departments, on top of yesterday's player departures, have given Casey and the Tigers board renewed enthusiasm.
Casey said last night he hadn't agreed to step aside to allow a smooth transition.
"What we agreed to was if there was a better president put forward, and it was agreed that was the case, then I would step aside," Casey said. "There's not."
Schwab's group is expected to be allowed to view the Tigers' financial books next week.
"That's so important," Schwab said. "If we think immediate medicine needs to be administered, in the best interests of the club we would need to act sooner."
