April 28, 2007
From Bendigo Advertiser
THE Metricon Bendigo Bombers are searching for a new chairman after Warren Driscoll shocked the club yesterday by announcing his resignation.
THE Metricon Bendigo Bombers are searching for a new chairman after Warren Driscoll shocked the club yesterday by announcing his resignation.
The Bombers chairman since September 2003, Driscoll's reign as chief of the Victorian Football League club will come to an end on June 30.
Driscoll cited expanding business interests and family commitments as the reasons behind his departure.
"I have a chance to be heavily involved in an exciting business venture and I've been getting busier and coming under more pressure with that in recent weeks," Driscoll said.
"Being chairman of the Bendigo Bombers is a big job with a lot of travel and with my other commitments it's getting harder and harder for me.
"One of the reasons why I want to leave at the end of June is because it will be easier for the new chairman to get used to the job and make life easier for 2008."
Driscoll denied speculation a rift between he and some Essendon officials had played a part in his decision.
"There's no truth in that at all," Driscoll said.
"We all have difference of opinions at time, but I have no problems with anyone at Essendon."
Driscoll said he departs with the club on an upward spiral on and off the field.
"The club does have a fair amount a debt and last year's on-field performance had an impact on that," Driscoll said.
"But the way we've restructured the club since has given the club an opportunity to move forward.
"We will make a surplus this year to start eating into our finanical debt.
"Our links with Essendon are stronger than ever. (Essendon CEO) Peter Jackson said here in Bendigo last Thursday that they are linked with Bendigo for the long haul."
Bombers general manager Matthew Allan said the club supports Driscoll's decision.
"Warren has a done a lot of work over a number of years for this club and he has been fantastic to me in my time at the club," Allan said.
"We understand that his work and family commitments are increasing.
"Whoever the new chairman is will step into the role with the club in a strong position ... and the club is better off for the time Warren has been chairman."
Driscoll has already started the search for a new chairman and has identified two Bendigo businessmen has potential candidates.
"We've already got some great people involved with the club and we could have a couple of others willing to get involved," Driscoll said.
"We're looking at the structure of the club and we might look at sharing some of the roles to make life easier for the new chairman."
