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From the "Moreland Leader"
Cleary quits Tigers to set New goals
by Kate Kyriacou
In 1975, a young Phil Cleary ran onto the grounds
of the Coburg Football Club for his first match with
the Tigers (note they weren't Tigers then - bak).
Nearly 30 years on and the football enthusiast has clocked
up 200 games, coached the side in back to back premierships,
taken on the role of president and brought the ailing club
back from the brink of financial ruin.
But last week, Cleary decided it was time to throw in the
towel.
"I didn't really want to be president last year, but the
club was going down the slippery slope," he said.
"Things were crook, there was financial trouble and the
previous board resigned in April - just on the opening
of the season."
Cleary agreed to step in as caretaker for a short time -
but like most sporting club volunteers, the "short time"
wasn't to be so short.
The ex-federal MP and sports commentator decided and AFL
partnership was the best way to secure a future free of
financial stress.
And it wasn't long before the Richmond Football Club
signed on (cough! What about the previous 3 years? - bak).
"The club's in a position now where they will be able to
proceed successfully," Cleary said.
His role will be handed on to vice president and
Electrical Trades Union secretary Dean Mighell.
"Dean's a quality person with lots of experience - he'll
do well," Cleary said.
"But I've been there, done that and I just don't have time
anymore.
"With working on the live broadcast on ABC every Saturday
and going to the football at Coburg every Sunday, I just
wanted my weekends back.
"I want to be able to go and see and arthouse film on the
weekend.
"I want to wander into the country for a bit of reflection
time.
"I'm even thinking about writing another book."
Cleary said he looked forward to expressing his political
views on the football world without having a club
affiliation.
"I've got more independence if I'm not directly connected
to a club he said.
"I'll have more room to say what I want to say.
"But I'll enjoy being able to just wander down to the club
and take my boys along for a kick of the footy.
