My chat with Greg Westaway today

[yipper]

Just had a phone call from the man himself - rang me in my capacity as Gippsland Country Supporter group rep. Wanted to introduce himself to me and asked me about any issues of concern I had as a supporter.

Very impressive bloke - mentioned he has a number of corporate backers ready to take up very healthy sponsorship deals if he gets the gig. These companies will not deal with the present board. Also they do have clear business and financial plans in place. He said he was not in it for himself - he just wants what is best for the club. Was interested in what I had to say and will follow up on a couple of local issues I have with the club. They have around 5000 proxys in already!! Is confident of winning and will get straight into it - believes we have a very rosy future and will get right behind the coach with anything he needs to get us a flag. Was a very good chat - seems to be a good bloke and a committed one.

[Saints94]

I'm gonna vote for him

[joffaboy]

Just had a phone call from the man himself - rang me in my capacity as Gippsland Country Supporter group rep. Wanted to introduce himself to me and asked me about any issues of concern I had as a supporter.

Very impressive bloke - mentioned he has a number of corporate backers ready to take up very healthy sponsorship deals if he gets the gig. These companies will not deal with the present board. Also they do have clear business and financial plans in place. He said he was not in it for himself - he just wants what is best for the club. Was interested in what I had to say and will follow up on a couple of local issues I have with the club. They have around 5000 proxys in already!! Is confident of winning and will get straight into it - believes we have a very rosy future and will get right behind the coach with anything he needs to get us a flag. Was a very good chat - seems to be a good bloke and a committed one.

Good one yipper - did he mention that there was any chance the voting members may actually get to see their business and financial plan?

Doesn't really matter, if they have 5000 proxies the masses have already got their new messiah in.

The messiah is dead - long live the messiah (unril the next one comes along).

[spert]

Maybe ask him next time to detail where he's going to finance what he and the challenging board has promised, as well as making sure we don't go back into major debt. I'm sure every president and board has promised to do everything they can for the club over the last few decades, and these include successful corporate businessmen, and to me it's a case of.."OK...Next"

[Saint Bev]

Yes, I also spoke with him this morning and Burkie yesterday. Very impressive. I urge everyone to keep an open mind to what they have to say.

[SaintDippa]

Love to see the plans and financials also but Westie looks likes he's being advised by the Rudd07 group. Opponent on the nose, promise promise promise keep everyone happy, say the right things, nothing too controversial and bid your time till the vote.

RB has to go. Please a third creditable ticket. Press conference at Peppermint Rhino viewed as a plus.

[meher baba]

JThey have around 5000 proxys in already!!

If true, then the silent majority (who are perhaps not accurately represented by the most prominent posters on here) would seem to have spoken against Butterss.

I would imagine that there are lots of members with an average age skewed towards the older end of the spectrum who lack the wherewithal, time or inclination to use the internet to log into fan forums.

They are loyal, lifelong members who would harbour painful memories of the wilderness years of the 1970s and 1980s and who would have been far less convinced than many (perhaps, on average, younger) posters on here that there was any compelling logic to the decision by the club to sack a highly successful coach in GT and to replace him with a coach who favours a boring, "modern" style of football. And who see Butterss and his board as representing the worst sort of spin doctors and purveyors of corporatespeak.

I can tell you that there are lots of Saints members in Hobart who feel this way, but who felt powerless to do anything about it. Their chance has now come.

Good on them.

[yipper]

Maybe ask him next time to detail where he's going to finance what he and the challenging board has promised, as well as making sure we don't go back into major debt. I'm sure every president and board has promised to do everything they can for the club over the last few decades, and these include successful corporate businessmen, and to me it's a case of.."OK...Next"

Well, I'm no financial wiz, but I reckon getting hold of a couple of good, cashed up sponsors AND keeping them would generate a bit of income!! He also agreed that Membership may well increase on the back of a revitalised board and a good pre-season. Last time I looked - we lost a few thousand members this year!! This bloke is fair dinkum - and Joffa, we need a new messiah, the other bloke looks like he's had enough, might give this new messiah a crack. He's fresh off the messiah production line!! The latest model!! Got all the mod gadgetry.

[eppo67]

Just sent in mine today for them.

[st_Trav_ofWA]

again i think ill wait til both partys put forth their case b4 deciding.

did he actually mention any names in regard to sponcers ?

[yipper]

again i think ill wait til both partys put forth their case b4 deciding.

did he actually mention any names in regard to sponcers ?

No, but he has several apparently - both top and middle tier types. But Greg said we need ppl working at the club who can look after them.. give em a hug, a drink etc. Just look after em' That's what you're supposed to do - give them a chance to gain some mileage from the arrangement as well - not just coff up the dollars.

[yipper]

Also confirmed the new date for the EGM - now on October 23rd (Tues) at Moorabbin Town Hall. Been brought forward.

[st_Trav_ofWA]

did he outline who exactly would he be looking at replacing in the club ?
cause this is one point im stuck on we all know if elected RB would be go as would the rest of the board they have said the coaching staff are safe but what about the rest of the company employees training services logistics marketing ect ect what are their plans for them (maybe ill need to email SFF directly to find out about this issue )

[Saint Bev]

He was unable to name who the sponsors would be as they won't come onboard if there isn't a change.

[joffaboy]

He was unable to name who the sponsors would be as they won't come onboard if there isn't a change.

And that is fair enough too.

I am only skeptical of such proclimations as I specifically remember Butters making the same pronouncement of an impending new major sponsor at an AGM a few years and and it turned out to be typical RB spin and BS.

Ironically this is the exact reason why many want to see the back of Rod and his spin. Can you imagine how conflicted this makes me feel

So I cant trust anyone who comes up with piss and wind. Seen it and heard it all before.

[saintsRrising]

I'm gonna vote for him

I think that you have to be an adult member.....

[saintsRrising]

Thanks Yipper....the more pieces to the puzzle we all get...the better informed that we will all be.



PS...did not happen to mention if he had signed up Juddy???

[saintbrat]

did he outline who exactly would he be looking at replacing in the club ?

More a case of Adding to existing staff; enabling them to do their jobs more efficiently,
how many on here said they hate getting an answering machine
or have had problems with memberships and supply- hard to maintian members and sponsors when you can't even talk to a person on the phone.


Has anyone had contact from Rod or his current board- giving any detail of their plans? apart from statements on saints.com or the interview from last week.

[yipper]

Thanks Yipper....the more pieces to the puzzle we all get...the better informed that we will all be.



PS...did not happen to mention if he had signed up Juddy???

Spoke to him about that - reckons he'd be all for going after him and would totally support any attempts by the football dept to snare him. Reckons whatever Rossy Lyon wants he will pretty much get.

[Shades]

I'm gonna vote for him

Aint u like 12 lol

[Oh When the Saints]

Thanks Yipper....the more pieces to the puzzle we all get...the better informed that we will all be.



PS...did not happen to mention if he had signed up Juddy???

Spoke to him about that - reckons he'd be all for going after him and would totally support any attempts by the football dept to snare him. Reckons whatever Rossy Lyon wants he will pretty much get.

That should be the attitude of a board ... the football department asks for something and the board finds a way to pay for it.

Good to hear re: the sponsors.


Hopefully it is over quickly.

[plugger66]

Thanks Yipper....the more pieces to the puzzle we all get...the better informed that we will all be.



PS...did not happen to mention if he had signed up Juddy???

Spoke to him about that - reckons he'd be all for going after him and would totally support any attempts by the football dept to snare him. Reckons whatever Rossy Lyon wants he will pretty much get.

Good. So we will win the flag next year then.

[saint66au]

Had a message from him on my answering machinewhen I got home from work. Didnt get a chance to call him back but will do so tomorrow.

Anything anyone would like raised on behalf of the Moorabbin Wing?

[joffaboy]

Anything anyone would like raised on behalf of the Moorabbin Wing?

Why wont he release his financial plans to the voting members and why is he hiding behind Nathan Burke?

[SaintPM]

Joffaboy,

Please explain how someone who is personally calling members of supporter groups and the like, is "hiding behind Nathan Burke"