News Newbold Resigns to become an AFL Commissioner, Richard Garvey acting President

[Gralin]

I don't get the hate. Hawks players grew up barracking for other clubs, some played for other clubs.
Clarko, Fagan and others have worked at other clubs.
So prior to having direct contact with Hawthorn Garvey supported another club, well he's a Hawks man now.

 

[Messenger]

Sorry, but you guys are joking right?

Has anyone checked who Stuart Fox barracks for? **** the results, does her have a brown duffle coat?

 

[wahawk]

Yes, having an acting President for an entire year doesn't seem congruent with this comment:

“The club is also on the verge of a possible shift to a new home in Dingley. This is a five to ten-year project and possibly the biggest decision the club will make in its history. I feel my decision to step aside will allow my successor to own and live this next chapter.
​

So will this be a year of fence-sitting, and no real decisions being made?

I doubt it

 

[wahawk]

We might finally get a president with a focus on not sacrificing customer service for the sake of profit.

As a business, Newbold was good. As a club, he was sloppy. A lot of the things the affect the members and fans were poorly run or dropped in quality while he was in charge.

He's lucky this was somewhat hidden by his Chris Scott-ing.

Inb4 i get critized because I don't link the team's premiership reign to him.

No criticizing from me there

 

[wahawk]

IMO, Newbold simply perpetuated something that started during Kennett's time as club president.

In any event, based on my limited experience with being on boards, the board (including Newbold) is focused on setting the strategy for the club and ensuring that those in charge of implementing the strategy (both on-field and off-) implement the strategy and to hold them accountable.

Stuart Fox should be held accountable for the changes that negatively affect fans (such as rising membership prices for no discernible tangible value).

I had a couple of queries with the club in 'the Kennett years'.
Always got a reply, usually from Kennetts email address.
If you want to Question Fox, think back to the arrogant prick we had before him. Had zero time for supporters/members.
The day he left & went to Essendon I told my mate ' it's a match made in heaven'

 

[IndiaHawk]

He knows when it's time to move on - unlike some Presidents who are self-centred and love the sound of their own voice too much (with big egos to match) and couldn't handle the thought of standing down and giving someone else a go.

Strike a chord with you?

Not sure if you are referring to Jeff Kennett. But it was during his time that we introduced term limits of 9 years for directors and 2X3 year terms for presidents. I guess of all the things Jeff's time as presiden in my opinion this is the most long lasting change that will make us future proof and keep getting a fresh set of people on to the board with contemporary ideas.

 

[Gralin]

Not sure if you are referring to Jeff Kennett. But it was during his time that we introduced term limits of 9 years for directors and 2X3 year terms for presidents. I guess of all the things Jeff's time as presiden in my opinion this is the most long lasting change that will make us future proof and keep getting a fresh set of people on to the board with contemporary ideas.

I would suspect one Eddie McGuire was the target of the comments

 

[A Cut Above]

Many thanks to Andrew Newbold for doing a wonderful job. He was exactly what we needed after Kennett- a more low-key, no nonsense president. I'm a little mystified at the circumstances of his departure but that doesn't take away from the brilliant work he's done.

 

[Dipper]

Will never get off the bus, but I just read his email to us all - I don't like it and it doesn't endear me to him. Once Essenscum, always Essenscum in my view

I'm not overly fussed that he's a scummer, the decisions these people make should be pretty dispassionate, but his letter to the members certainly didn't endear him to me either:

'Firstly I need to disclose that I was not always a Hawks fan. Although this is not the normal pathway to being a club president, I do believe this has made my journey and love of Hawthorn even more absolute'

Now obviously he's a little bit sensitive and on the back foot about his previous allegiance, which is understandable and it's as it should be, and let's be honest most people only ever support one club in their life and don't take very seriously those that haven't.

But that bolded bit is actually offensive, it's offensive for two reasons, firstly he's saying that the fact that he used to support our most hated foe makes his love of Hawthorn even more absolute, more absolute than what? More absolute than if he'd grown up barracking for Hawthorn from the age of two? It is an insult to imply that somehow because he's changed teams that his support now is more absolute than that of all the people that have just simply supported the club all the way through.

It's also offensive because it's such a stupid and illogical thing to say, it's a political style statement that you could only make and expect to get it through to the keeper, if you believe that all the minions reading it are your intellectual inferiors and thus too stupid to call you out on such bollocks.

The best he could have done is make a slightly humorous reference to it and go on to say that he's grown to love the club through association but don't throw this disingenuous rubbish in there.

 

[tommyk72]

I'm not overly fussed that he's a scummer, the decisions these people make should be pretty dispassionate, but his letter to the members certainly didn't endear him to me either:

'Firstly I need to disclose that I was not always a Hawks fan. Although this is not the normal pathway to being a club president, I do believe this has made my journey and love of Hawthorn even more absolute'

Now obviously he's a little bit sensitive and on the back foot about his previous allegiance, which is understandable and it's as it should be, and let's be honest most people only ever support one club in their life and don't take very seriously those that haven't.

But that bolded bit is actually offensive, it's offensive for two reasons, firstly he's saying that the fact that he used to support our most hated foe makes his love of Hawthorn even more absolute, more absolute than what? More absolute than if he'd grown up barracking for Hawthorn from the age of two? It is an insult to imply that somehow because he's changed teams that his support now is more absolute than that of all the people that have just simply supported the club all the way through.

It's also offensive because it's such a stupid and illogical thing to say, it's a political style statement that you could only make and expect to get it through to the keeper, if you believe that all the minions reading it are your intellectual inferiors and thus too stupid to call you out on such bollocks.

The best he could have done is make a slightly humorous reference to it and go on to say that he's grown to love the club through association but don't throw this disingenuous rubbish in there.

I think you're misreading his comment. My take on it is the journey to becoming President has made his love even more resolute. This may have included coming on to the board, being a board member, things that led him to be a board member, the relationships he's formed since being involved with the club - any number of things!

 

[IdiotBox]

^^^^^ This whole 'bollocks' thing is really catching on!

 

[wahawk]

Don't want him or anything to do with him.

Driver, where do I get off this bus?

Read his email, if you're a member

 

[ChinaTim]

It's pretty obvious that he's been poached by another organisation. The most successful president, at the most successful club in the biggest professional sporting competition in our country .... go figure! It's been happening to our club for years & is a credit to our organisation. We will all find out in the wash, but I am pretty confident that the decision would have been made with the club's best interests at heart. That is the Hawthorn way!

I think you are correct - I am guessing NRL (as others have also suggested)

 

[TyHawk]

I took the time to read his e-mail and I wasn't offended at all. I found it to be 're-assuring ' that everything wil move smoothly without skipping a heartbeat. Seems very skilled and qualified in the business department which is the most important thing considering he's the new Pres.

 

[Gold Member]

I'm not overly fussed that he's a scummer, the decisions these people make should be pretty dispassionate, but his letter to the members certainly didn't endear him to me either:

'Firstly I need to disclose that I was not always a Hawks fan. Although this is not the normal pathway to being a club president, I do believe this has made my journey and love of Hawthorn even more absolute'

Now obviously he's a little bit sensitive and on the back foot about his previous allegiance, which is understandable and it's as it should be, and let's be honest most people only ever support one club in their life and don't take very seriously those that haven't.

But that bolded bit is actually offensive, it's offensive for two reasons, firstly he's saying that the fact that he used to support our most hated foe makes his love of Hawthorn even more absolute, more absolute than what? More absolute than if he'd grown up barracking for Hawthorn from the age of two? It is an insult to imply that somehow because he's changed teams that his support now is more absolute than that of all the people that have just simply supported the club all the way through.

It's also offensive because it's such a stupid and illogical thing to say, it's a political style statement that you could only make and expect to get it through to the keeper, if you believe that all the minions reading it are your intellectual inferiors and thus too stupid to call you out on such bollocks.

The best he could have done is make a slightly humorous reference to it and go on to say that he's grown to love the club through association but don't throw this disingenuous rubbish in there.

He pissed in your Corn Flakes recently didn't he?

 

[vanders]

You guys realise that most people who work at the club weren't Hawthorn supporters beforehand yeah? There's very little professional sports roles in this country so you're not going to get supporters of your own team all the time. Essendon did it and look how that worked out. Also look how our club was run before Clarko was coaching, all ex Hawthorn players as coach and that went well. You get the best person for the job.

As for the timing I think it was planned. In Garveys email he said that Kennett and Newbold hired him as part of their succession plan. Having him start now means that he'll have runs on the board by the next AGM so the likelihood of him keeping the job is pretty high. They've probably been transitioning behind the scenes for a little while.

 

[wahawk]

He knows when it's time to move on - unlike some Presidents who are self-centred and love the sound of their own voice too much (with big egos to match) and couldn't handle the thought of standing down and giving someone else a go.

Strike a chord with you?

If you talking about Kennett, he's the person who suggested that no person should run more then 2x terms as president

 

[Ned Ryerson]

Yeah, I'm with all the people who are saying that you should be Hawthorn through and through, from birth - no exceptions! It's a sure fire guarantee for successful, professionally run clubs.

Just look at James Hird, his family is Essendon for generations. James grew up supporting Essendon, played for Essendon and captained Essendon. It's no wonder with that pedigree that he oversaw such a professional, well run injections campaign that has brought the club the esteem, respect and plaudits from not only the league, but the sporting world in general.

Seriously though - those of you doubting Garvey's sincerity and professionalism are acting like petulant brats.

 

[Ned Ryerson]

I'm not overly fussed that he's a scummer, the decisions these people make should be pretty dispassionate, but his letter to the members certainly didn't endear him to me either:

'Firstly I need to disclose that I was not always a Hawks fan. Although this is not the normal pathway to being a club president, I do believe this has made my journey and love of Hawthorn even more absolute'

Now obviously he's a little bit sensitive and on the back foot about his previous allegiance, which is understandable and it's as it should be, and let's be honest most people only ever support one club in their life and don't take very seriously those that haven't.

But that bolded bit is actually offensive, it's offensive for two reasons, firstly he's saying that the fact that he used to support our most hated foe makes his love of Hawthorn even more absolute, more absolute than what? More absolute than if he'd grown up barracking for Hawthorn from the age of two? It is an insult to imply that somehow because he's changed teams that his support now is more absolute than that of all the people that have just simply supported the club all the way through.

It's also offensive because it's such a stupid and illogical thing to say, it's a political style statement that you could only make and expect to get it through to the keeper, if you believe that all the minions reading it are your intellectual inferiors and thus too stupid to call you out on such bollocks.

The best he could have done is make a slightly humorous reference to it and go on to say that he's grown to love the club through association but don't throw this disingenuous rubbish in there.

Disingenuous rubbish such as being touched by the players wearing black armbands for his wife who passed away? Yeah - what a silly old bastard for loving the organisation he works for when they make a gesture like that.

 

[MoustachioNuts]

is this owner of Harvey Norman?

 

[flinchfree]

Yep. Seamless transition this is not.

See, I'm seeing this opposite. (of course )
Had the president's position come up for the AGM, then undoubtedly not only is there the contention over who should take over - with many shrill voices and placards associated....but the most important shtick they would have run on would have been the potential move to Dingley. Undoubtedly, there would have been a candidate who ran strongly against the move, and created quite a bit of division among Hawk supporters.

Hardly seamless.

This process however allows the soft touch of time to smooth away our memories of any contention, and just go with whatever our very successful board wants us to.
That's the epitome of seamless.

 

[grumbleguts]

I'm not overly fussed that he's a scummer, the decisions these people make should be pretty dispassionate, but his letter to the members certainly didn't endear him to me either:

'Firstly I need to disclose that I was not always a Hawks fan. Although this is not the normal pathway to being a club president, I do believe this has made my journey and love of Hawthorn even more absolute'

Now obviously he's a little bit sensitive and on the back foot about his previous allegiance, which is understandable and it's as it should be, and let's be honest most people only ever support one club in their life and don't take very seriously those that haven't.

But that bolded bit is actually offensive, it's offensive for two reasons, firstly he's saying that the fact that he used to support our most hated foe makes his love of Hawthorn even more absolute, more absolute than what? More absolute than if he'd grown up barracking for Hawthorn from the age of two? It is an insult to imply that somehow because he's changed teams that his support now is more absolute than that of all the people that have just simply supported the club all the way through.

It's also offensive because it's such a stupid and illogical thing to say, it's a political style statement that you could only make and expect to get it through to the keeper, if you believe that all the minions reading it are your intellectual inferiors and thus too stupid to call you out on such bollocks.

The best he could have done is make a slightly humorous reference to it and go on to say that he's grown to love the club through association but don't throw this disingenuous rubbish in there.

Well said. These days we are pretty immune to spin. But you still like the jelly-like substance in your cranium to be given a stretch every once in a while. You want spin you can actually consider before trashing it. Treating people as idiots is no way to endear them to you.

My love of hawthorn is more absolute than:
a) it was when I hated them. (well der)
b) than yours. (ummm how the hell would you know)
c) than my love for essendon (who I now realise are a bunch of drug cheats and that love no longer even exists)

 

[grumbleguts]

Read his email, if you're a member

Sadly, my family are still recovering from cyclone Yasi having destroyed everything we owned. Footy memberships and their like have taken a backstep for a few years until we have paid everything off.

 

[grumbleguts]

Yeah, I'm with all the people who are saying that you should be Hawthorn through and through, from birth - no exceptions! It's a sure fire guarantee for successful, professionally run clubs.

Just look at James Hird, his family is Essendon for generations. James grew up supporting Essendon, played for Essendon and captained Essendon. It's no wonder with that pedigree that he oversaw such a professional, well run injections campaign that has brought the club the esteem, respect and plaudits from not only the league, but the sporting world in general.

Seriously though - those of you doubting Garvey's sincerity and professionalism are acting like petulant brats.

It isn't his background, it's his claim that changing clubs makes his love of Hawthorn more absolute.

Not interested in spin of the lowest order. That's all. Has nothing to do with his prior allegiance (tongue in cheek joke comment earlier aside)

 

[Ned Ryerson]

Well said. These days we are pretty immune to spin. But you still like the jelly-like substance in your cranium to be given a stretch every once in a while. You want spin you can actually consider before trashing it. Treating people as idiots is no way to endear them to you.

My love of hawthorn is more absolute than:
a) it was when I hated them. (well der)
b) than yours. (ummm how the hell would you know)
c) than my love for essendon (who I now realise are a bunch of drug cheats and that love no longer even exists)

Oh good lord. People are honestly just looking for any excuse to lay the slippers in because this bloke used to support the Scum.

If you read the full email - the context of the message was - I was employed by the club on a professional level, but the way the club has treated me has made my love of the club resolute. He wasn't trying to win a pissing contest of who loves the club more - that's something the commentariat on forums like this indulge in.

It was a nice story - and as a bitter, cynical bastard I didn't read anything untoward in it.