From the Ballarat Courier
Reported by Melanie Whelan
Full article - Click here
LEGENDARY VFL coach Gerard FitzGerald will not be reappointed at the Roosters’ helm.
North Ballarat Roosters tonight released a statement via social media that the board would not extend FitzGerald’s contract, which ends this season.
“This decision sends a message of change within the club for its next stage of development as it enters the VFL as a standalone team in 2016,” the statement read.
“The board continues to review the organisation's football structure to ensure that the club is well positioned for sustained success in the VFL. The board believes that these changes will be necessary to ensure that the club can be competitive in the ever evolving VFL landscape.”
Fitzgerald has agreed to coach out the season.
Couldn't see Mick getting out of bed for less than $100K, however romantic it may seem, probably more chance of Plugger & Stewie Gull making a comeback!
Melanie Whelan has been doing an outstanding job covering this story for the Ballarat Courier, getting reactions from almost all conceivable parties, including board, players, past players, VFL coaches and Nth Melbourne captain and acting coach.
Perhaps the most telling piece of info, which was in the player reaction story, was the new board's review of operations which ultimately led to Fitzgerald's demise, did not include consulting the players. Remarkable.
Anyway, here are the stories for anyone interested:
Rooster player reaction: http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/3166036/players-united-front/?cs=63
Board gives no clear answers: http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/3165738/north-ballarat-board-gives-n…
Nth Melbourne reaction: http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/3165300/swallow-kangas-hail-true-tea…
VFL coaches reaction: http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/3164926/vfl-peers-back-fitzy/
In reply to Couldn't see Mick getting out by Wally from Wil…
Wally from Williamstown wrote
Suspect you'd be looking at a lot more than that.
In reply to Melanie Whelan has been doing by paul
Thanks Paul,
I was hoping somebody would post those stories.
I'll have to learn how to do it myself.
There's still a long way to go on this decision which has rocked everyone in the Ballarat area & football in general.
Digs, what were the circumstances that led to the new board being elected? What happened to the previous board?
In reply to Digs, what were the by paul
Paul,
This turmoil began when the Last chairman John McClure had to resign his position due to a very serious illness in his family. In doing so that left 3 positions on the board vacant as there were two positions that were never filled under his leadership.
In order to avoid an election for new the new positions it was decided that certain people in good faith would nominate for the vacancies & ensure the continuation of the current good will & direction. Big Mistake.
Unfortunately we inherited a couple of rednecks whose only agenda was to rid the club of Fitzy & other senior personell.
The incoming chairperson promised openness,transparency & trust & has failed to deliver on all.
This blatant backflip needs & will be addressed, hopefully to the satisfaction of all true Northies.
Watch this space !!!
Vote one Digs as new boss of North Ballarat.
Assisted by Arab and Peter Wilson.
The three rednecks to be shown the door !!
Gerard back coaching as well !!!
Reckon the roosters players will all form a very strong bond and excel for the rest of the season and win plenty of games for Fitzy.
Digs, what is it that you are afraid of? The old boys club being exposed and not being able to pull strings any more?
The clubs on field performance has been terrible and something needed to be done about that. It doesn't matter who you are, if you are the coach you are accountable for that. It is time for change and the board have been open about that, it sounds to me as though your opinion on the whole situation is personal rather than factual and what is in the interest of the FOOTBALL club (which would be winning games).
Move on, his contract was not renewed. It happens to people everyday. There are plenty of past and present players happy to see him go.
That's right Jimbob, Digs is no longer relevant at the club but still wants to be heard loud and strong. The Clubs performance over the past 4 years has been at best average - "but hell Fitzys a great bloke who always talks to us,so yeah he should be reappointed". The Board made the tough decision because it's the right thing for the club - without an alignment next year the club could slip into extinction if Fitzy was left at the helm. He's been great for the club but time waits for no man and it's not healthy for a club to hear one voice for a decade and a half. Stop creating conspiracy theories and let the Board make the hard decisions without being the old guard being devisive. You will find that it's not a witch hunt and all Board members genuinely want success in the VFL for North Ballarat.
A couple of important
Some important questions that haven't been answered are why did the board ignore the recommendation of the football department post-review to reappoint Fitzgerald was ignored? Why did the new board's review not include consultation with players? And why a decision was made before the board had met with Footy Victoria to 'get an understanding' of what's required as a stand alone club?
No amount of personal attacks on Digs or anyone else are a substitute for answers backed by reasoning.