Pratt to stand down
24/10/2007 02:49:33 PM
Morgan Lewis
Sportal
Carlton Football Club President Richard Pratt announced today that he will stand down from the board of the club, effective immediately. Mr. Pratt explained that he believed he would be unable to retain his gaming licence following an ACCC investigation announced yesterday, despite refuting claims that he did not meet the character requirements of the licence.
After a recent admission to collusion in his business dealings as head of cardboard company Visy, Pratt said his gaming licence would "probably" be revoked, and conceeded that the actions of Visy had prompted the ACCC review of his gaming licence.
The Carlton Football Club operates approximately one hundred gaming machines, and without the licence, Mr. Pratt is unable to remain President of the club.
He did, however, refuse to acknowledge claims that his honesty and integrity had been undermined with his resignation. "I am still passionately committed to the Carlton Football Club and as head of Visy", he told a packed media conference this afternoon.
Mr. Pratt believes he is leaving Carlton in much better shape than when he arrived. "To be honest, while I'm bitterly disappointed about only being in the role for such a short period, I'm excited about Carlton's future, on and off the field", Mr. Pratt said.
"With the signing of Chris (Judd) and the work being done by Greg (Swan, Carlton's CEO), I have every confidence that Carlton will be winning premierships in the near future".
The resignation will come as a shock to Carlton supporters and the administration of the club, who believed the instability that has plagued the club over the past six years was over.
Flanked by key board member Stephen Kernahan and CEO Greg Swan at the press conference, Mr. Pratt was adamant that despite his resignation, Carlton will continue to re-build itself as a football force. He told the media that "we are close to announcing new major sponsorship deals and the club is making terrific progress off-field".
Whilst Mr. Pratt refused to speculate on his successor, Kernahan said that it presented the club with an exciting opportunity to appoint a high-profile business leader to continue Pratt's work. "I'm disappointed that Richard has had to resign, but the club is entering an exciting phase, and whoever our President is, we will continue to build" he told the media.
Speculation is rife that the club want to appoint a President with a clean corporate record, after some concerns over the image of club business connections.
It is believed that former One-Tel director Rodney Adler is at the top of Mr. Pratt's list as heir apparent. Mr. Adler, who has spent the past two-and-a-half years working closely with the Australian government, is considered the perfect replacement for Mr. Pratt. As front-runner for the position, Mr. Adler would bring the desired mix of business and corporate ethical experience to the club.
Carlton CEO Greg Swan said that the board would consider a replacement for Mr. Pratt over the next fortnight, refusing to buy into speculation about the position.
Mr. Swan also announced further key off-field signings at the press-conference, including a change of club logo.
The famous Carlton crest will be replaced with a dollar sign, which Mr. Swan said symbolised everything the club was about. The club's new recruit, captain and chief paper-bag carrier, Chris Judd, was on hand for the unveiling of the logo.
It has also been announced that Greek businessman Anthony Mokbel will be taking of the club's Alcohol and Drug Testing department, whilst former TV personality Steve Vizard has been appointed General Manager of Corporate Governance, a position that carries legal responsibilities.
Former Olympic Champion Marion Jones has been persuaded to head the club's new Sports Science Committee, whilst prominent Winchelsea identity Robert Farquharson has been appointed as head of Junior Development. "Robert will bring an uncompromising attitude to the position that we believe fits in with the club's values", said Mr. Swan.
Mr. Swan also announced that he was please to welcome Carl Williams as Security Manager, although he said that Mr Williams was unable to start work immediately, due to prior committments. It is expected he will take up the position at the start of 2037.
Both Mr. Kernahan and Mr. Swan claimed that the days of Carlton being linked with cheating, lying, stealing, de-frauding and the molesting of farm animals was behind them.
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