Balmain Players Walk Out of Match v Wests - Match Abandoned

[Ancient Tiger]

Today, the current members have rightly had enough of the current Board, who have single handed destroyed the culture of what was once a great Sydney Club. The Board of Balmain are now attempting to move the money they received from the sale of the Drummoyne Sports Club to South Coogee Bowling club, which means they lose all funding and you will lose a foundation club. The amount of money we are talking about is in the vicinity $4.4 million, and this will be forever lost to Balmain, and the game itself, as these directors attempt to take what the club has worked for over the last 30 years, and move it to the Coogee Bowling Club.

This week the Directors opted out of negotiations with the members that would see the club recoup some money, and the directors would resign their position in the club. In the wake of all this, various government departments are about to be contacted regarding the issue, as will the media, which would not be a great thing for AFL in Sydney, but the players are desperate and have quite frankly run out of options. The loss of $4.4 million is a massive story in community sport.

These people need to answer for their actions that have become a blight on our great game. Their actions with regards to **** **** I would suggest should result in suspension of the board for perpetrating and supporting such disgraceful acts, and bringing the game into disrepute. This may provide grounds for the players to remove the board and install a board with integrity.

Sorry to pass this across your desk, however as I mentioned the players are now desperate and fighting a losing battle to save the club who only 10 years ago had the best club culture in Sydney Football. I would definitely recommend a representative of the AFL to be at the game to witness the player rally on Sunday.

[Steiger]

So why didn't you fill out another form & get signed by 5 who were either life members or current financial members? Surely a lot easier than staging a walk-off? And clearly not all avenues fully pursued?

PS So to understand your structure again (which I never got an answer to previously) ... the EGM was in relation to DSC? Yet the players are members of the BAFC - which is where the insurance & AFL Sydney affiliation is with? So is it possible that the membership fees that they paid was for BAFC & not membership of DSC? I don't know the answer here so would appreciate the background info.

I only found the reason why the EGM was invalid over the last 24 hours. The EGM for BDFC was called for a month ago with no response until after the walk out. After the EGM dead line had passed and prior to the walkout an email was sent to determine the status of the EGM with NO response until after the walk out.

Find more members? Members that have paid in cash? Surely once you've received a receipt and handed over your cc details, it's fair to assume you've paid?

Who's responsibility is it to ensure the transaction is completed? The buyer or the merchant? Surely the club wants its subscription fees so it's in their interest to complete the transaction? Why didn't they complete the transaction at the start of the season?

My understanding of the 2 clubs is being a paid member of BDFC you become a paid member of DSC.

[Ancient Tiger]

Is that email copy transparent enough? No half truths there, and was followed up with phone calls with multiple people. I took out the section with specific evidence as per forum rules.

Steiger has again informed us above of the EGM notice.

- - - Updated - - -

Player fees are counted as DSC rego

[MrTaxman]

Is that email copy transparent enough? No half truths there, and was followed up with phone calls with multiple people. I took out the section with specific evidence as per forum rules.

Steiger has again informed us above of the EGM notice.

- - - Updated - - -

Player fees are counted as DSC rego

So I will ask again ... what did the league exactly advise you to do last Friday with respect to any staged protest/rally on the Sunday?

- - - Updated - - -

My understanding of the 2 clubs is being a paid member of BDFC you become a paid member of DSC.

So those 3 players verified that the funds didn't hit their credit card statement? Are there more than 3 players that "paid" their fees this year but the transaction wasn't processed? How much are rego fees? $250? Well you just found $750 for the "Save the Tigers" Fund.

So the fact remains that you can still find the 3 others to verify payment - or get 3 more life members - and you can provide a valid EGM notice.

- - - Updated - - -

The Board of Balmain are now attempting to move the money they received from the sale of the Drummoyne Sports Club to South Coogee Bowling club

Is there any history between DSC and South Coogee Bowling Club or any affiliation between the two clubs?

Are you suggesting that the BAFC is entitled to the whole share of $4.4m? Or are there other sporting clubs affiliated with DSC that should also be entitled to a share of those funds? Are there any shares issued by DSC & if so, who owns them?

[Ancient Tiger]

You would have to ask the representative of the player group what was discussed on the phone with the AFL.

So any more half truths? I am happy to discuss as there have not been any as I am aware of.

- - - Updated - - -

So I will ask again ... what did the league exactly advise you to do last Friday with respect to any staged protest/rally on the Sunday?

- - - Updated - - -

So those 3 players verified that the funds didn't hit their credit card statement? Are there more than 3 players that "paid" their fees this year but the transaction wasn't processed? How much are rego fees? $250? Well you just found $750 for the "Save the Tigers" Fund.

So the fact remains that you can still find the 3 others to verify payment - or get 3 more life members - and you can provide a valid EGM notice.

- - - Updated - - -

Is there any history between DSC and South Coogee Bowling Club or any affiliation between the two clubs?

Are you suggesting that the BAFC is entitled to the whole share of $4.4m? Or are there other sporting clubs affiliated with DSC that should also be entitled to a share of those funds? Are there any shares issued by DSC & if so, who owns them?

No affiliation with that club, and Balmain are the only sporting club associated with the sports club, after the bowling club collapsed a number of years ago (which gave this board total control, and led to its demise)

Shares issued, I am not sure.

[Steiger]

So those 3 players verified that the funds didn't hit their credit card statement? Are there more than 3 players that "paid" their fees this year but the transaction wasn't processed? How much are rego fees? $250? Well you just found $750 for the "Save the Tigers" Fund.

So the fact remains that you can still find the 3 others to verify payment - or get 3 more life members - and you can provide a valid EGM notice.

Thanks for the advice.

Do you think the board will process these transactions now?

When we call an EGM with more life members, how do we ensure that all the members that turn up to the EGM are paid up given the cc/receipt issue we've encountered?

[MrTaxman]

Thanks for the advice.

Do you think the board will process these transactions now?

When we call an EGM with more life members, how do we ensure that all the members that turn up to the EGM are paid up given the cc/receipt issue we've encountered?

I am sure you could request a list of current financial members prior to the meeting, particularly Ancient Tiger in his role on the board.

[pieater]

My sympathies lie with all those old bowlers and their families who established a successful club only to see it taken over and turned broke by an incapable board comprised by many of these Balmain folk who are presently whingeing and arguing. Now we have the Dockers and Tigers (or should that be Jackals and Vultures) groups fighting over the remains ($4.4m). Should not the lions share go to the old members?

It is a disgrace that these Johnny-come-latelies who ruined the club are entitled to anything. It is also a disgrace they are bringing this @@@@@@fight into the Sydney AFL arena by disrupting and disrespecting our competition.

Remind me never to have any future dealings with any of these people.

[shearer]

I was going to go up to Olds Park tomorrow to watch my old club, is it still on?

P.S. What a farce, ive been going to Sydney Footy since the 70's and have never heard this happening before.

As a player who had his identity and colours removed by the Sydney AFL (Dragons to Crows) i can understand the Balmain peoples gripe but their are better ways than to walk off the oval during the match.

[Ancient Tiger]

I am sure you could request a list of current financial members prior to the meeting, particularly Ancient Tiger in his role on the board.

I requested this when I was on the board. The police were called claiming I was harassing the accountant, and funnily enough when the police came they said there was absolutely no harassment, and that I deserved an apology, however I should make an appointment with the board to come in and view the financial members and accounts to avoid any additional scenes. There are witnesses that can verify this.

Shortly after I was voted off the board, by the board, and therefore never saw these details and have no idea of those 60 members who I had never seen before voting at the AGM.

[Northern_Swan]

Hi Northern Swan. There are things going on behind the scenes that we all know about, which is why this desperate move was made.

So are you suggesting that AFL Sydney/ AFLNSWACT are in favour of or partially behind this move?

[zik]

Currently the side has been picked for Saturdays game against St George and will be going ahead as planned. As for Balmain's 2's i'm not sure where they are at. Please note, the majority of the players who walked on the weekend (those who don't have other commitments) will also be in attendance, showing their support of the playing group.

[Ancient Tiger]

I hope now everyone is getting the picture of the great lengths that have been taken over the years, and not simply staged a protest as an act of defiance or disrespect, or that contingency plans had not been attempted. When these people do not play by the rules and respect their own rules, then it is very hard to enforce.

[MrTaxman]

So did you make an appointment with the board? Have you had any discussions with the administrator (Murray Godfrey from RMG) concerning DSC?

[Tiges]

So are you suggesting that AFL Sydney/ AFLNSWACT are in favour of or partially behind this move?

I am sure after what they will find out that they won't want them there, but not at all suggesting that.

It was suggesting that all those at Balmain know the behind the issues that forced the desperate act.