Fans split after West Adelaide Football Club's $100,000 in missing cash repaid by employee's family

WEST Adelaide fans are divided after more than $100,000 in missing money traced back to a former employee was repaid by his family.

MORE than $100,000 in missing money which West Adelaide Football Club traced back to a former employee was later repaid by family members of the staffer, a Bloods board member has confirmed.

The employee's family members include a man of influence within the western suburbs who, when asked whether he had personally paid money to the club on behalf of the employee, stated:

"My understanding is that any moneys owed to the club have been resolved.''

The board member, who did not want to be named, said: "We have worked with the families to fully recover everything, every dollar.''

The latest revelations at the club's Richmond base come as Bloods supporters remain divided on whether the club should involve police in the matter.

Some fans contacted by the Sunday Mail this week said all judgment should be withheld until after the board presented its internal review to members next February.

But others have expressed anger the club privately recouped money without involving police.

The mother of a Bloods league footballer this week contacted the Sunday Mail and said she was disgusted with the club's handling of the matter, and said players had suffered financially over the previous 12 months in support of the club.

Speaking on the condition she was not identified, the mother said her son took a 3 per cent pay cut during 2012 and a 10 per cent pay cut last year.

The pay cuts were widespread among players, with the club unable to afford to pay up to the salary cap in 2013. In 2012, player payments were reduced mid-season in an unsuccessful bid to avoid breaching the salary cap.

"My son plays for Westies for the love of the jumper and when they were told they had to play for less money he did, no questions asked,'' the mother said.

"The players were told the club couldn't afford $50 for this or $50 for that so they went without.

"These guys train so hard, on top of their full jobs. They sacrifice so much for that footy club.

"Now we're told that this money has gone missing but the club is trying to deal with it in-house and hasn't called the police. How can that happen?"

The SANFL is yet to directly involve itself but is understood to have sent an integrity officer to Richmond for talks last Thursday.

The Bloods board is due to continue discussions when it meets tomorrow but has given itself until February's annual general meeting to fully brief its members on its ongoing internal investigation.

Westies president Richard Sykes confirmed in a statement last week that all "known" money missing from the club was recouped.

The statement did not reveal how the money went missing, other than to say "anomalies" were discovered following the introduction of a new accounting system just over a month ago.

The statement did not elaborate on how much money went missing or how it was recouped, but sources have told the Sunday Mail the figure was up to $150,000.

A police spokeswoman confirmed SAPOL had not been contacted over the matter. The Bloods board includes ex-SA Police assistant commissioner Graeme Barton. He declined to comment on the matter.

Total cutbacks to the Bloods football department in 2013 have been estimated to be at least $250,000 by senior figure within the club. They included the non-replacement of two positions which became vacant and cut backs to medical support for players.

The club recorded a $505,027 loss in 2012 and was forced to sell poker machines this year to generate cash flow.

The club was fined by the Australian Taxation Office after it had fallen nine months behind in employee superannuation payments in February, and was also pursued this year by a liquor company over debts. A reception job was also cut.

A push by some dissatisfied members to call an extraordinary general meeting at which board positions can be spilt is yet to gain momentum, although private talks continue. To convene a special meeting, 60 West Adelaide members must sign a petition.

Members wanting a spill of the board said it would be pointless unless a clear succession plan was in place and a new group of people were ready to take over.

A police spokeswoman also said the disappearance of a 150kg safe from Richmond containing $30,000 cash last August remained an open case.

Three thieves jemmied open a rear door at the club and pushed the safe out of the room.

Police would not confirm whether they suspected the thieves had inside knowledge of the club.

At the time of the robbery, former Bloods CEO Kym Russell said the thieves knew where to find the safe.

"They knew exactly what they were after and where to find it,'' he said.

The disappearance of the safe is not linked to the other money that went missing from the club.