jenny
28-08-07, 08:58 AM
Newcastle lose another legend
By Josh Massoud
IT appeared harmless enough - a bunch of old mates catching up at the pub for a beer and a feed.
But for embattled Newcastle coach Brian Smith, last night's gathering of the club's richest benefactors could turn deadly serious.
Led by golfing great Jack Newton and millionaire media mogul John Singleton, the influential lobby group - known as the White Knights - held a 90-minute crisis meeting at Newcastle wharf's Brewery Hotel to discuss their future involvement in the club.
Other attendees included former Knights forward leaders Luke Davico and Craig Smith.
Over old-fashioned pub grub and a schooner or three, around 25 members expressed their concerns over Smith's wholesale player clean-out that has seen a host of local stars released.
For one, Singleton, the group's patron, is seething after being forced to scrap a beer advertising campaign worth $2 million that featured sacked Knights players.
Travelling from his Strawberry Hills estate on the lower Central Coast, the all-powerful advertising guru arrived in tandem with Newton shortly before 7pm.
The meeting began with Newton, whose son Clint quit Newcastle in acrimonious circumstances three months ago, resigning as White Knights chairman.
"With all that has gone on with Clint, I couldn't continue - it was a conflict of interest," Newton said. The top post was assumed by co-ordinator Dick MacLean, who helped found the group when Newcastle were on the brink of financial ruin two seasons ago. Since that time, its 44 financial members have helped the club attract precious sponsorship dollars as well as provide opportunities for young footballers off the field.
But, thanks to the ongoing debacle surrounding Kirk Reynoldson's non-selection and disharmony among the established leaders, that commitment is now in jeopardy.
At last night's meeting, several members discussed ways of pressuring the current board into releasing Smith from the final two years of his contract.
It is understood that some members of the group feel it would be worth their while to contribute to Smith's six-figure pay-out.
"When the Knights are going well, the town is going well - and that's a good thing for business," one said.
But with Newcastle now headed for a second wooden spoon in three years and home crowds at an all-time low, their collective bottom lines are not looking up.
Interestingly, recently-appointed Newcastle CEO Steve Burraston is also a paid-up White Knight.
It was not expected that he would attend last night's meeting.
Instead, MacLean will relay the group's concerns to Burraston and his board - which includes club great Paul Harragon - this week.
Telegraph
By Josh Massoud
IT appeared harmless enough - a bunch of old mates catching up at the pub for a beer and a feed.
But for embattled Newcastle coach Brian Smith, last night's gathering of the club's richest benefactors could turn deadly serious.
Led by golfing great Jack Newton and millionaire media mogul John Singleton, the influential lobby group - known as the White Knights - held a 90-minute crisis meeting at Newcastle wharf's Brewery Hotel to discuss their future involvement in the club.
Other attendees included former Knights forward leaders Luke Davico and Craig Smith.
Over old-fashioned pub grub and a schooner or three, around 25 members expressed their concerns over Smith's wholesale player clean-out that has seen a host of local stars released.
For one, Singleton, the group's patron, is seething after being forced to scrap a beer advertising campaign worth $2 million that featured sacked Knights players.
Travelling from his Strawberry Hills estate on the lower Central Coast, the all-powerful advertising guru arrived in tandem with Newton shortly before 7pm.
The meeting began with Newton, whose son Clint quit Newcastle in acrimonious circumstances three months ago, resigning as White Knights chairman.
"With all that has gone on with Clint, I couldn't continue - it was a conflict of interest," Newton said. The top post was assumed by co-ordinator Dick MacLean, who helped found the group when Newcastle were on the brink of financial ruin two seasons ago. Since that time, its 44 financial members have helped the club attract precious sponsorship dollars as well as provide opportunities for young footballers off the field.
But, thanks to the ongoing debacle surrounding Kirk Reynoldson's non-selection and disharmony among the established leaders, that commitment is now in jeopardy.
At last night's meeting, several members discussed ways of pressuring the current board into releasing Smith from the final two years of his contract.
It is understood that some members of the group feel it would be worth their while to contribute to Smith's six-figure pay-out.
"When the Knights are going well, the town is going well - and that's a good thing for business," one said.
But with Newcastle now headed for a second wooden spoon in three years and home crowds at an all-time low, their collective bottom lines are not looking up.
Interestingly, recently-appointed Newcastle CEO Steve Burraston is also a paid-up White Knight.
It was not expected that he would attend last night's meeting.
Instead, MacLean will relay the group's concerns to Burraston and his board - which includes club great Paul Harragon - this week.
Telegraph