Berkeley_Eagle
Current Status: 24/7 Manly Fan
MANLY stalwart Peter "Zorba" Peters could head a rebel ticket for the leagues club elections in February in a planned coup to end the boardroom civil war that is ripping the football club apart.
It has already forced coach and favourite son Des Hasler to give notice that he is joining Canterbury in 2013.
It also emerged yesterday that Manly's dysfunctional board had even attempted to move Hasler on at the end of last season - 12 months before he guided the club to its eighth premiership during his successful tenure.
The dust was still settling yesterday from Hasler's shock decision to accept a four-year offer from the Bulldogs from the 2013 season, although the coach himself alluded to the fact there had been tensions behind the scenes after releasing a personal statement on Saturday.
The Australian was told yesterday that Manly Leagues Club chairman Bob Reilly was behind a push to have Hasler sacked at the end of last season, although he has always maintained a public show of support for the coach and Sea Eagles great.
There are seven directors on Manly's board and it is believed Reilly's clique holds a 5-2 advantage. He and Melinda Gainsford-Taylor are the district football club nominees, Peter Spray represents the leagues club while owners Quantum are represented by Phil Sidney and John Walstab.
Chairman and majority owner Scott Penn - who has acknowledged there are some structural issues to resolve on the board - and Kerry Chrysiliou are the Penn nominees but are often out-voted on issues.
Peters was forced out of the club this month after four decades of service, but The Australian was told yesterday he could spearhead a rebel ticket to challenge Reilly for control of the leagues club at February's annual general meeting.
The club's former media manager is related to the Penn family through marriage and, if his leagues club bid is successful, the football club board could be restructured in a move that would shift the balance of power.
There was also speculation yesterday that Hasler's assistant, Geoff Toovey, could be appointed as his successor for 2013 as early as today. But a decision will not be made until a board meeting is held.
Although NSW coach Ricky Stuart has also been linked to the post, Toovey has been part of the club's long-term succession plan.
It is unclear if Hasler would stay if the club does name a successor. The Bulldogs have already indicated they would take him for 2012 and move caretaker Jim Dymock into the role of assistant.
There has also been speculation about players following Hasler out the door. It is believed that only fullback Brett Stewart and five-eighth Kieran Foran have get-out clauses in their contracts if the coach leaves.
It is understood the board is not overly concerned about a mass exodus.
Stewart is off-contract at the end of next season anyway, while backrower Tony Williams is a free agent now.
The Bulldogs would have room to accommodate Williams under the salary cap after captain Andrew Ryan has retired and centre Jamal Idris signed with the Gold Coast.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/malny-stalwart-peter-peters-planning-coup-to-end-war/story-e6frg7mf-1226162497332
the highlighted bit is a stunning admission
It has already forced coach and favourite son Des Hasler to give notice that he is joining Canterbury in 2013.
It also emerged yesterday that Manly's dysfunctional board had even attempted to move Hasler on at the end of last season - 12 months before he guided the club to its eighth premiership during his successful tenure.
The dust was still settling yesterday from Hasler's shock decision to accept a four-year offer from the Bulldogs from the 2013 season, although the coach himself alluded to the fact there had been tensions behind the scenes after releasing a personal statement on Saturday.
The Australian was told yesterday that Manly Leagues Club chairman Bob Reilly was behind a push to have Hasler sacked at the end of last season, although he has always maintained a public show of support for the coach and Sea Eagles great.
There are seven directors on Manly's board and it is believed Reilly's clique holds a 5-2 advantage. He and Melinda Gainsford-Taylor are the district football club nominees, Peter Spray represents the leagues club while owners Quantum are represented by Phil Sidney and John Walstab.
Chairman and majority owner Scott Penn - who has acknowledged there are some structural issues to resolve on the board - and Kerry Chrysiliou are the Penn nominees but are often out-voted on issues.
Peters was forced out of the club this month after four decades of service, but The Australian was told yesterday he could spearhead a rebel ticket to challenge Reilly for control of the leagues club at February's annual general meeting.
The club's former media manager is related to the Penn family through marriage and, if his leagues club bid is successful, the football club board could be restructured in a move that would shift the balance of power.
There was also speculation yesterday that Hasler's assistant, Geoff Toovey, could be appointed as his successor for 2013 as early as today. But a decision will not be made until a board meeting is held.
Although NSW coach Ricky Stuart has also been linked to the post, Toovey has been part of the club's long-term succession plan.
It is unclear if Hasler would stay if the club does name a successor. The Bulldogs have already indicated they would take him for 2012 and move caretaker Jim Dymock into the role of assistant.
There has also been speculation about players following Hasler out the door. It is believed that only fullback Brett Stewart and five-eighth Kieran Foran have get-out clauses in their contracts if the coach leaves.
It is understood the board is not overly concerned about a mass exodus.
Stewart is off-contract at the end of next season anyway, while backrower Tony Williams is a free agent now.
The Bulldogs would have room to accommodate Williams under the salary cap after captain Andrew Ryan has retired and centre Jamal Idris signed with the Gold Coast.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/malny-stalwart-peter-peters-planning-coup-to-end-war/story-e6frg7mf-1226162497332
the highlighted bit is a stunning admission
