mjonc wrote:
Punter22 wrote:
Hmm... tough one. I love what has happened to the club since Dick has been there, I doubt anyone else could have delivered so much so quickly.
The question I find myself asking is - guilt or innocence aside, is the weight of public perception and debate too much? If so, should Sticks stand in as an acting president until this case is resolved one way or the other? If he's found innocent then he resumes his post, if not, his position is clearly untenable.
Like him or not (and I love him), the Carlton name is going to be at the receiving end of an almighty public flogging over this, and a lot of the headway made over the last 16 months is at jeopardy, particularly from a branding perspective and where the club wants to position itself. I know some people hate hearing about 'the brand' - but being able to define your off-field values in a certain light is key to attracting premium sponsors, just as much as onfield success.
Like I said before, the Carlton name receives a flogging no matter who is charge. When people hate you they will find anything to bring you down.
Does 40k members + represent a poor brand name?
Does record sponsorship represent a poor brand name?
I don't think so. Smorgon and Collo had the poor brand name to themselves.
I'm not talking about opposition supporters ringing up SEN and spouting ill-informed tripe. I'm talking about global, industry leading corporations wanting to be identified with a club whose president's name is being dragged through the courts and having every blow detailed in national press. The coverage of this is going to be that much more comprehensive and prominent simply because he's the Carlton president and the papers know that football is an emotive topic - without the Carlton connection this story would be buried in the business section, not splashed over the front page of the Hun.
I seriously doubt any supporter would leave the club over this, and nor should they. Similarly, I wouldn't blame every supporter for wanting Dick to stay on (a large part of me does). But to dismiss the impact this could have on the club simply because we love Dick as president is dangerous. I don't think a 'We're Carlton flower the rest' attitude is going to work with this one.