Former Crows champion Mark Ricciuto apologises after suggesting unhappy fans should find another club to support
Mark Ricciuto has apologised after suggesting disgruntled Crows fans “maybe don’t need to barrack for the footy club” — but our poll suggests most supporters are rejecting his call to put more trust in Adelaide’s post-season review.
- YOUR SAY: Write an open letter to the Crows board
- STARICK: This just proves it’s time members had more say
- HOMFRAY: Review presents a chance to ‘fix up’ Crows
Adelaide football director and club legend Mark Ricciuto has backtracked on comments criticising disgruntled fans after the Crows’ disappointing end to 2019.
But fans who voted in our poll below have overwhelmingly rejected his call to put trust in the club’s processes.
With nearly 2000 votes cast, 70 per cent voted “no” to the question “Should Crows fans put more trust in the club’s process”.
In a separate poll, nearly 90 per cent of respondents said Port and Crows members should have more of a say in their club’s board appointments.
HAVE YOUR SAY: VOTE HERE AND COMMENT BELOW
In an interview on Sunday, Ricciuto said fans who didn’t agree with the club’s process “don’t need to barrack for the footy club”.
“Whatever decision has to be made from top to bottom will be made for the betterment of the football club and the supporters should back our people in,” he said.
“And if they don’t, well then maybe they don’t need to barrack for the footy club.”
He clarified his position on Triple M Breakfast on Monday morning.
“That didn’t come out right and I want to fix that up,’’ Ricciuto said.
“I respect and love the Adelaide Football Club supporters, always have and always will. “Absolutely they’re entitled to their opinion, I was probably referring to a very small amount of the supporters who are never happy no matter what happens.
“I 100 per cent take back that comment, I didn’t quite get that right.’’
He urged fans to trust the club to take the right decisions to turn around their on-field underperformance.
READ MORE:
The Crows won just two games after the bye — beating only Gold Coast and St Kilda — before finishing the 2019 season with a 34-point loss to the Western Bulldogs on Sunday.
And Ricciuto said they would leave no stone unturned in trying to turn things around in the off season.
“The review of the football department and the club means everyone is reviewed, whether it me or Chappy (chairman Rob Chapman) or the boot studder or the fitness coach,’’ Ricciuto said.
Stream over 50 sports live & anytime on your TV or favourite device with KAYO SPORTS. The biggest Aussie sports and the best from overseas. Just $25/month. No lock-in contract. Get your 14 day free trial >
“Absolutely everyone you have to look at to make sure you have the right footy department,’’ he added.
“If anyone has got to go, whether it’s me, Pykey (coach Don Pyke) or Brett Burton or the captain (Taylor Walker), the club is more important than the individual.
“The club will do an internal review as we always do and they’ll do an external review with people who have got nothing to do with the football club and then get the information from both and make a decision from there.
“That’s what the supporters want and that’s what the supporters will get.
“Everyone wants the right thing for the Adelaide Football Club and I’m certainly not going to stand in the way. If I’m the problem I’ll be gone and I’m sure if Pykey knew (that), he’d be gone as well.’’
Originally published as Former Crows champion Mark Ricciuto apologises after suggesting unhappy fans should find another club to support