Open Letter from Don McLardy

[old55 22,779]

... and what happens then?

Guy Jelland steps in?

The AFL steps in?

Paul Gardner steps in?

Range Rover steps in?

Yze Magic steps in?

Yes

Out: McLardy, Schwab, Neeld

In: Jalland, Matt Green, Craig

It's only a matter of time before this or similar happens, they should man-up and take responsibility now.

[Dr. Gonzo 23,701]

You are right

He was VP before the CS disaster

He was VP when 186 happened

He was VP when the tanking was going on.

He was Pres when we surrendered to tanking

He was Pres when we recruited Neeld and this FD

He was Pres in 2012 when we won effectively one game

He was Pres when we recruited most of this poor list.

He was Pres we when lost the first two games of this season by an average loosing margin of 19 goals

Yes you are correct he cannot win

I do feel for Don though - he was never meant to be President and only had to step up due to the tragic illness and death of Jimmy Stynes. He should probably step down though as soon as we can get a better replacement.

[Delta 28]

I really shake my head in the dismay at the stupidity of some of our supporters, and their complete misunderstanding of the problem.

Do you take the time and care to assess the actual facts?

This is just sad.

Placards should read: "We Will Not Let You Kill The Club - We'll Do It First Before You Get A Chance."

[Delta 28]

Yes

Out: McLardy, Schwab, Neeld

In: Jalland, Matt Green, Craig

It's only a matter of time before this or similar happens, they should man-up and take responsibility now.

From a generally sensible poster, this is perplexing.

How is that "manning up"?

What would that achieve??

A change for change's sake?

[Dr. Gonzo 23,701]

I really shake my head in the dismay at the stupidity of some of our supporters, and their complete misunderstanding of the problem.

Do you take the time and care to assess the actual facts?

This is just sad.

Placards should read: "We Will Not Let You Kill The Club - We'll Do It First Before You Get A Chance."

So what is the problem then? Please explain to us if you know rather than offering sanctimonious rubbish.

[bandicoot 1,395]

Instead of more 'talk' how about you follow up with action.

Getting rid of the coach is a start.

Admit that you got it wrong and move on.

We can't possibly be in a worse position than now.

Follow this up with sacking Schwab at years end and making sure the board justify why they should retain their positions.

Enough is bloody enough.

[Vandenberger With The Lot 231]

I really shake my head in the dismay at the stupidity of some of our supporters, and their complete misunderstanding of the problem.

Do you take the time and care to assess the actual facts?

This is just sad.

Placards should read: "We Will Not Let You Kill The Club - We'll Do It First Before You Get A Chance."

It is easy to throw stones while offering no opinion.

Why not share some of the "actual facts"?

[Delta 28]

I would suggest that rather than faceless nameless social media campaigns, that supporters come to the match early and meet outside the ground for an "old school" forum.

[old dee 23,489]

WYL, I think your inbox is full, I cant send you a PM.

For any having issues, here is the letter.

To The Collective Staff At The Melbourne Football Club:

Don McLardy opens his letter stating that the last two weeks have been trying for the club and it's stakeholders. I contend that the last seven years have been a staggering disappointment.

I, like you, do not believe that the results to date are a true reflection of the quality of our playing list, or the effort and improvement they have shown over a tough and demanding pre-season campaign. The question must then be asked, where is the problem?

It is clear from watching the performance and body language of the players that they do not care for this football club. The players that actually show a love for the club are few and far between, and this says to me that the club has lost the players.

As a club we need to now make the changes required to rectify the situation, lest we end up going the way of Fitzroy. I am not sure what you are referring to as external pressures, but as a member, I consider myself an internal part of the club, and I count myself among those demanding radical changes.

We have dropped two coaches now in the search for improvement and nothing has changed. We have suffered a huge array of on and off-field issues over the last seven years, including but not limited to: two tanking scandals, the loss of a number one draft pick, two record breaking defeats, failing to develop ANY elite talent despite the amount of first round draft picks the club has had.

It preplexes me and every other Melbourne supporter I have spoken to in the last few days how some on the board are still on the board. It is even more astounding how our CEO, is still in his job after everything the club has been through since his appointment.

I therefore ask the following of the president, the board and the CEO: If you truly love the Melbourne Football Club, then hand in your resignation and give control of the club to AFL administrators.

This is the only way the club can recover from it's dire position. A clean slate is what is needed at this football club, not more politics and blame games. Let the club move on, or be destined to fold like other clubs before us.

Sincerely,

A Melbourne Football Club member.

Mate email that to them on facebook.

Great effort

[rpfc 28,048]

Yes

Out: McLardy, Schwab, Neeld

In: Jalland, Matt Green, Craig

It's only a matter of time before this or similar happens, they should man-up and take responsibility now.

I would prefer this to the AFL stepping in.

God damn it - we can't even implode without help from The Bloated One...

I don't like the way McLardy is trying to save his administration.

When you say "we are all in this together" - then it surely lends itself to the view that "We are ALL in this together."

Failure on a grand scale can't be swept away with vaguaries, a promise to do better, and a defence of the Administration side of the club.

We are here to play football and if the club is playing 70 points worse than their talent suggests - we have a systemic issue.

However, I stand by the timing issue - I don't want anyone from the current board to be President. They can all stay on the board - the more the merrier. But we need more football people on there, and the President needs to have some value from a unifying figure standpoint (we all know the example of that...) or a commercial standpoint (Eddie).

This will require time.

As will figuring out a way to remove ourselves from the contracts of those in the Administration. I don't kow how deep we want the change to go here. Ideally, you bring in a CEO and he gets to choose his team...

As for the Caretaker - that's just money out the door, and can be done at any time. Preferably later but I realise it may come to a head sooner.

We are all Demons here, but if this keeps up to the extent it has - those selfless individuals who have given their time to this club have to moved aside or asked to step aside.

[old55 22,779]

From a generally sensible poster, this is perplexing.

How is that "manning up"?

What would that achieve??

A change for change's sake?

Neeld is not helping the club he's destroying it, he has lost the players and has no idea what is going on, he needs to go ASAP. I'm sure he's done his best and it has turned to dust in his hands - but his best is simply not anywhere near good enough - percentage 28%! The people who put him there need to go at the same time to demonstrate that he's not being scape-goated. The lunatics are running the asylum. From there - yes we need to partner very closely with the AFL to find the way forward.

[Sir Why You Little 36,628]

WYL, I think your inbox is full, I cant send you a PM.

For any having issues, here is the letter.

To The Collective Staff At The Melbourne Football Club:

Don McLardy opens his letter stating that the last two weeks have been trying for the club and it's stakeholders. I contend that the last seven years have been a staggering disappointment.

I, like you, do not believe that the results to date are a true reflection of the quality of our playing list, or the effort and improvement they have shown over a tough and demanding pre-season campaign. The question must then be asked, where is the problem?

It is clear from watching the performance and body language of the players that they do not care for this football club. The players that actually show a love for the club are few and far between, and this says to me that the club has lost the players.

As a club we need to now make the changes required to rectify the situation, lest we end up going the way of Fitzroy. I am not sure what you are referring to as external pressures, but as a member, I consider myself an internal part of the club, and I count myself among those demanding radical changes.

We have dropped two coaches now in the search for improvement and nothing has changed. We have suffered a huge array of on and off-field issues over the last seven years, including but not limited to: two tanking scandals, the loss of a number one draft pick, two record breaking defeats, failing to develop ANY elite talent despite the amount of first round draft picks the club has had.

It preplexes me and every other Melbourne supporter I have spoken to in the last few days how some on the board are still on the board. It is even more astounding how our CEO, is still in his job after everything the club has been through since his appointment.

I therefore ask the following of the president, the board and the CEO: If you truly love the Melbourne Football Club, then hand in your resignation and give control of the club to AFL administrators.

This is the only way the club can recover from it's dire position. A clean slate is what is needed at this football club, not more politics and blame games. Let the club move on, or be destined to fold like other clubs before us.

Sincerely,

A Melbourne Football Club member.

thanks TooLate. 100% agreement

The current Board was chosen to work under Jimmy. Well Jimmy aint here anymore & we need a complete change. NOW. Not in 20 weeks.

This club needs new non Melbourne people in positions of power to take control. Yes there is room for MFC people but not at the top.

Players do not want to be here. They are here because their contract stipulates it.

We need action....NOW.

Edited April 8, 2013 by why you little

[jnrmac 19,890]

Don is delusional.

Well what would you really think he could say?

[jnrmac 19,890]

Mate email that to them on facebook.

Great effort

DOn't be stupid. DO that so the media can print it tomorrow?? Foolish.

Very unhelpful to the club and trouble mongering

[beelzebub 23,198]

I understand what Don is trying to say and believe he is coming from a good place. However a couple of issues I have with the letter;

1) He is talking about a "long term process" to ensure success - Don this isn't about a lack of success this is a lack of any semblance of competitiveness. We understand the team may not be ready to play finals or challenge for a flag yet but we don't think it's too much to ask to at least be competitive in each match we play. Look at the Dogs, Giants and Suns for example.

2) He refers to Hogan, a kid not even on our list yet. When will this club stop trying to annoint every teenage prodigy as the next messiah who will save the club?

3) He doesn't believe the results are a true reflection of our team - Don the scoreboard doesn't lie. Pre-season training counts for nothing all that matters is what goes in the record books and at the moment our team is about 10 goals worse than any other side in the comp (including the two new franchises).

how this is lost on some bemuses me. That it seems to have bypassed those in charge worries me.

Same old rubbish trotted out perpetuating the same inevitable outcomes.

Meh !!!

[rjay 24,592]

Well what would you really think he could say?

Not more of the same 'jnrmac', he does need to say something and can't hide that's for sure but less said the better, not send the spin merchants out on Sunday. It was a joke hearing Schwab trying to sure up Neeld's position when he is the one under at least as much if not more pressure.

The decisions are not being well made at HQ, the Neeld pre game for example was a decision made by people lost for ideas.

[Chook 14,997]

Dear Don,

Leave Jesse Hogan out of this.

Love those of us who have bought enough false hope to last us a lifetime.

[old dee 23,489]

DOn't be stupid. DO that so the media can print it tomorrow?? Foolish.

Very unhelpful to the club and trouble mongering

They hardly need to look at Facebook to know we are a shambles jnr. Edited April 8, 2013 by old dee

[Delta 28]

Neeld is not helping the club he's destroying it, he has lost the players and has no idea what is going on, he needs to go ASAP. I'm sure he's done his best and it has turned to dust in his hands - but his best is simply not anywhere near good enough - percentage 28%! The people who put him there need to go at the same time to demonstrate that he's not being scape-goated. The lunatics are running the asylum. From there - yes we need to partner very closely with the AFL to find the way forward.

Definitive statements when it is far from that.

Surely you recognise that the club was screwed before Neeld got there.

But HE is the one destroying it?

You think 1 year is enough to effect serious change?

When have we EVER seen that done elsewhere? Especially when a club has been in such dire circumstances?

[simma02 53]

I have been a member for over 30 years, GOLD Redlegs for 10 + years. Unfortunately, this morning I had to call the club and cancel my membership. I can no longer contribute to this mess which is the Melbourne Football Club. I like many supporters have been very, very, very patient and now my patience has finally fun dry. I have absolutely no confidence in the people running our club - mainly the CEO, President and the Coach. McLardy has absolutely no idea - all we here from him is excuse after excuse with abolsutely no answers as to what the hell is going on. Cam Schwab's success rate of 36% speaks for itself and our coach is a complete and utter SPUD. His speech was embarrassing - fancy telling a team that mistakes don't matter!

My support for this club is no longer unconditional. As long and McLardy and Schwab are steering the ship, I won't be in it. Enough is enough.

Edited April 8, 2013 by simma02

[Mono 455]

What McLardy is saying is that when Neeld was appointed, he (and Craig) were given total control to build the club, playing list, assistant coaches etc; they will have whatever resources they want. Now, 14 months later (24 games), he is saying that we must have patience, it will turn around. And that makes sense.

Trouble is, the team has not performed in any way over those 24 games that even suggests that there has been improvement at all. 2013 has started the same way as 2012 (possibly worse). Blind faith can carry for only so long. (I am reminded of my uncle who bought his lotto tickets every week, and watched the numbers drop every Saturday night, ever hopeful. Of course, he died having never won.) If there is no improvement by mid year, you'd have to think the whole process has been a failure, and McLardy, Healy and Schwab will go. And Neeld's position would be untenable. AFL may have to step in then.

I wonder why the media have been so negative, even before the year started - some saying Melbourne will finish last; seemed absurd. Could it be that this latest process/build has been built around "sport science" (ie Craig), rather than around a usual footy process (whatever that may be). The message from the club seems to be: get talented players, and get them fit enough, then the rest will follow.

[old55 22,779]

Definitive statements when it is far from that.

Surely you recognise that the club was screwed before Neeld got there.

But HE is the one destroying it?

You think 1 year is enough to effect serious change?

When have we EVER seen that done elsewhere? Especially when a club has been in such dire circumstances?

Yes I do recognise we were in deep trouble before Neeld got here, but he hasn't helped - he has hurt. And I don't think that Neeld is the root problem, but he's the immediate one. There's no one root problem but if you want a simple personification of it then look no further than G.Lyon.

I don't expect to see remedy in one year but I don't expect to see destruction either. As I posted elsewhere, we're 2.5 to 24.22 in second halves this year, that's not progress in any way shape or form. I cut Neeld slack last year but wiser heads than me realised early that he needed to bring the playing list along with him to his vision, not bludgeon them with it. He may know where he wants to go, but he has no idea how to get there.

[Rod Grinter Riot Squad 5,654]

What McLardy is saying is that when Neeld was appointed, he (and Craig) were given total control to build the club, playing list, assistant coaches etc; they will have whatever resources they want. Now, 14 months later (24 games), he is saying that we must have patience, it will turn around. And that makes sense.

Except change needs to happen from the top.

Don has passed the buck, quite gutlessly too.

Edited April 8, 2013 by Rod Grinter Riot Squad

[Sir Why You Little 36,628]

I have been a member for over 30 years, GOLD Redlegs for 10 + years. Unfortunately, this morning I had to call the club and cancel my membership. I can no longer contribute to this mess which is the Melbourne Football Club. I like many supporters have been very, very, very patient and now my patience has finally fun dry. I have absolutely no confidence in the people running our club - mainly the CEO, President and the Coach. McLardy has absolutely no idea - all we here from him is excuse after excuse with abolsutely no answers as to what the hell is going on. Cam Schwab's success rate of 36% speaks for itself and our coach is a complete and utter SPUD. His speech was embarrassing - fancy telling a team that mistakes don't matter!

My support for this club is no longer unconditional. As long and McLardy and Schwab are steering the ship, I won't be in it. Enough is enough.

Long as you come back when the club is being run differently Simma.

I for one understand. The Club needs to know. I will not accept spin any longer.

[simma02 53]

Long as you come back when the club is being run differently Simma.

I for one understand. The Club needs to know. I will not accept spin any longer.

I'll definately be back when I feel the club is being run by professional and competent people. I felt sick to the stomach having to call the club to cancel my membership but I felt that I needed to make a stand as oppossed to ranting and raving on social media. No more excuses, no more talk. Time for action. Once I see the appropriate action they'll again have my support and funds.

Edited April 8, 2013 by simma02