News

Allan yesterday announced his resignation as general manager of the Bombers, and will leave the club on June 30.

On the same day, Driscoll will end his tenure as Bombers chairman, which began in 2003.

Allan, who was appointed general manager in October, 2005, is leaving Bendigo's VFL club to join the Australian Traffic Network in a sales role based in Melbourne.

It's a job offer he says is too good to refuse.

"I've got a young family that I want to make sure grows up in Melbourne, where I'm from, and where my wife is from," Allan said.

"We have a large network of family and friends down there, and I guess that all comes into it as well."

Peter Lodewijks, who joined the Bombers board in January this year, will fill the role as stand-in general manager, before the club advertises the position at the end of the season.

Lodewijks will spend the next month working with Allan.

"This gives Peter time to move into the role, and he has ideas about restructuring the club that are going to be terrific, so I think it's a good time to leave through the season," Allan said.

"I know people are going to think we're imploding because the chairman and general manager are leaving at the same time, but it's purely coincidental.

"I feel very comfortable that I'm not jumping ship at all."

Driscoll said Allan's departure was unfortunate, but understandable.

"Matthew has done an outstanding job during his two years with the club and should be commended for his integrity and his strong desire to take the club to the next level," Driscoll said.

Allan was appointed the general manager of the Bombers after playing 160 AFL games with Carlton and Essendon in a career that spanned from 1994 to 2005.

"I had a vested interest with Bendigo having played a few games with Bendigo while at Essendon," Allan said.

"When the position became available I thought it would be a huge opportunity for myself and to bring my family to Bendigo for the experience.

"There were a couple of things at the start that were hard and there were a few hurdles, but I'm very thankful for the guidance I got from Warren, Peter Jackson (Essendon chief executive) and Travis Auld

(Essendon chief operating officer).

"Their advice was terrific for me, and some of the things I've been able to bring to the club I'm very happy with.

"We had a low turnover of staff, which is something I'm proud of, because being able to keep the group together comes down to management.

"And a couple of other things have helped us financially.

"I'm not perfect, and there are some things I probably could have done better, but I'm certainly happy that I have helped the club move forward."

Driscoll admits the departure of himself and Allan - the two most influential people off-field for the Bombers - on the same day is a distraction for the club.

"We acknowledge that, but by Peter Lodewijks having time to come in and learn the role, it's not going to have that detrimental impact," Driscoll said.

"If it was a case of Matthew has resigned and we need to find a general manager, I would probably be panicking, but having Peter coming in is the best way to go."

Lodewijks says he is looking forward to the challenge of stepping into the general manager position, which was held by Paul Barnard before Allan took over.

"I've done a lot of work since coming onto the board in January, and I'm really looking forward to having more exposure to the actual operations," Lodewijks said.

Asked if he had a desire to be appointed general manager for next year, Lodewijks said: "I'll be doing this job until the end of the season and I may really enjoy it and put my hand up, then I will have to go through a normal recruitment process."

Since joining the Bombers, Lodewijks has been working on possible future organisational structures for the club.

The Bombers play Coburg in round eight of the VFL season at the Queen Elizabeth Oval this Sunday.