Paul Gardner on Footy Classified tonite

[youami 54]

at the way we're currently going, will we be around in 2 years time.

[diesel 420]

at the way we're currently going, will we be around in 2 years time.

What would you have done differently to rescue us from this malaise if you were in Paul Gardners position?

[youami 54]

That I'm being asked what I would do, a supporter with not much life experience further proves the point I'm making that he has failed.

For one, I'd speak the the truth. I'd say that only once we have our finances in order will we become a premiership threat. I'd state only when we have proper training facilities like the other say at least 12 clubs will we be a premiership threat. I'd hope that my selection of CEO does not result in staff turnover being at 70%.

I would have pursued the Tasmania avenue, we had former Tasmanian players like Robbo, Steven Febey, Brad Green, Ben Beames and maybe more on our list and we ignored that profit maker.

I'd sit with members at football games instead of climbing Mount Kilamanjaro. Being a Chairman of a team in huge trouble (remember the going concern of the Melbourne Football Club was raised as an issue in the auditors report from the 2006-07 annual report) is not a part time job. It requires significant time and money, if I could not commit to that I would not take on that role.

The only thing I think Paul Gardner has done correctly so far is name Dean Bailey as coach, however his handling of Neale Daniher's departure was very ordinary. He deserved better, his performances weren't flash but a 10 year coach deserved better than being hung out to dry in the media by the Chairman.

Surely all you people aren't wearing rose coloured glasses, our club is in financial turmoil and everyone believes Paul Gardner is the messiah.

Hawthorn and Geelong are two examples of clubs who have turned their fortunes around, and until Melbourne is another the chairman and CEO should not be put on a pedestal.

[Grand Old Fox 0]

No wonder we're all concerned when Gardner gives the impression the club is ticking along well, yet the key indicators suggest otherwise. My impression of Gardner is that he can't wait to jump ship and declare "my work here is done".

At present, Melbourne Football Club is treading water at best. The club is 3-5 years away from drowning unless we improve our position on and off the field.

Gary Lyon's article in the Herald Sun today hit the nail on the head. The club needs to wake up to itself and acknowledge it's in serious trouble.

The MFC brand should be profitable for so many reasons, yet we don't appear to be making real progress.

[Jarka 767]

You're a very harsh judge.

In my opinion when Gardner does resign he will leave the club in much better shape then when he became chairman. That is more than you could say for Ridley, Gutnick and Szondy. He has shifted the momentum by addressing problems that have not been addressed for 25 years. The next chairman (or chairwoman if it is Bev!) will inherit Gardner's good work and I'm sure they'll appreciate it more than you.

We were financially strong under Ridley

[beelzebub 23,241]

cant find the Lyon article on line...any links ?

ta

[praha 11,217]

Having failed as a Melbourne president is hardly anything to cry over. Melbourne hasn't had a successful President in the last 30 years...

[beelzebub 23,241]

In all fairness I think gardner has/is a good President...without being brilliant. Some aspects about Melbourne do frustrate me.. especially branding. However.... despite the media's want for us to self capitulate into some abyss we are steadily steeering our way...only causing ripples and not waves.

it could be better... but we all know it could be far WORSE !!

[diesel 420]

For one, I'd speak the the truth. I'd say that only once we have our finances in order will we become a premiership threat. I'd state only when we have proper training facilities like the other say at least 12 clubs will we be a premiership threat. I'd hope that my selection of CEO does not result in staff turnover being at 70%.

Can't disagree here. I think PG has to stop painting a rosy picture. Our latent supporters (particularly those who are well connected) need a wake up call.

I would have pursued the Tasmania avenue, we had former Tasmanian players like Robbo, Steven Febey, Brad Green, Ben Beames and maybe more on our list and we ignored that profit maker.

If memory serves me correctly we tried to do a deal with Tasmania during Joe Gutnicks reign. What we probably lacked and Hawthorn had through Kennett is connections that has seen a substantial amount of Tassie taxpayers hard earned helping prop up an AFL club. I doubt this deal will be renewed and the income stream for Hawthorn will therefore not be sustainable.

I'd sit with members at football games instead of climbing Mount Kilamanjaro. Being a Chairman of a team in huge trouble (remember the going concern of the Melbourne Football Club was raised as an issue in the auditors report from the 2006-07 annual report) is not a part time job. It requires significant time and money, if I could not commit to that I would not take on that role.

Unfortunately president of an AFL club is a part time, voluntary job although there are good profile entertainment & perks! The CEO is responsible for the day to day running and building the business. There was obviously disatisfaction throughout the MFC at how this was going and hence change became neccesary. Hopefully they get it right, time will tell.

The only thing I think Paul Gardner has done correctly so far is name Dean Bailey as coach, however his handling of Neale Daniher's departure was very ordinary. He deserved better, his performances weren't flash but a 10 year coach deserved better than being hung out to dry in the media by the Chairman.

There are some who say that the ND issue should have been dealt with many rounds earlier i.e. sacking. In the heat of increasing media speculation from the fact that everyone knew ND he was dead man walking it was appropriate IMO to announce a review of his position. ND then fell on his sword.

[Gouga 562]

We were financially strong under Ridley

We almost lost our club under Ridley!

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

We were financially strong under Ridley

While we had some cash in the bank at the time the sustainability of the financial position of the Club was illusory as the Ridley administration realised that with the way things were heading MFC could not continue to survive in its own right. If the conditions that prevailed in the early to mid 90's continued he was right. At that time we still had no home base facilities and a small membership base.

However his bravery at addressing the long term financial position of the Club was countered by the solution he and the committee put forward.