Glenelg great Peter Carey to replace Nick Chigwidden as president

Glenelg’s most decorated player is poised to become club president.

• A refreshed McBean means more goals for Bays
• Monday Recovery: Why Proud would make fine state player
• Tigers take charge of Crows
• Chris McDErmott’s 25 favourite SANFL players

Glenelg’s most decorated player is poised to become club president.

Peter Carey — the only man to have played in three of the Tigers’ four SANFL league premierships — has agreed to take over the presidency from former teammate and close friend Nick Chigwidden later this year.

Appointed to Glenelg’s board of directors at the club’s annual general meeting in February, Carey will step into the main role soon after finishing as chief executive of Youth Opportunities Association of SA on June 30.

Peter Carey and Nick Chigwidden at Glenelg Football Club. Carey will take over the presidency after a handshake agreement. Picture: MATT LOXTON

“We have a handshake agreement on a succession plan,’’ said Carey, who played an Australian club record 448 league games for the Tigers from 1971-88, kicking 521 goals.

“I’m very hopeful Glenelg will play finals this year and I’ve said to ‘Chiggy’ if it looks that way it would be crazy for me to take over beforehand because of the amazing service he has given the club.

“He has steered Glenelg through one of the toughest periods in its history, so it’s likely the changeover won’t be until the end of the season, because that would be paying him the respect he deserves.

“It would also give me time to learn the ropes again after having not been involved in an official capacity at the club for some time.

“But Glenelg has been a major part of my life, I started playing there 50 years ago and love the place, so it's exciting to be back in a key role.’’

Carey, 65, is one of only 17 Greats of Glenelg.

Glenelg champion Peter Carey is carried from the field in triumph by John Seebohm and Chris McDermott after breaking the Australian senior games record in 1988. Picture: File Photo

Nicknamed “Super’’, he kicked six goals from centre half-forward in the Tigers' 1973 grand final win and was lead ruckman and captain in their 1985-86 triumphs.

He won three best and fairests in 1975, 1979 and 1981, was an All-Australian in 1979 and 1980 and played 19 State games for SA.

Carey is a Glenelg, South Australian and Australian Football Hall of Famer and was a Tigers board member in the late 1990s. He also served for two years on the SA Football Commission.

Chigwidden, 50, is in his seventh year as Tigers president and 11th as a board member.

Glenelg’s longest-serving captain, having led the club for eight consecutive seasons from 1993-2000, Chigwidden said the time was right to pass the baton on to another club legend.

“I think it’s what’s best for the club,’’ said former rover Chigwidden, who played 293 games and kicked 257 goals for the Bays from 1987-2000.

“I’m a big believer that seven years is long enough in this role and that a change of voice and leadership can be beneficial to the club.

“One of the hardest things as president is to find your right successor and there’s no better credentialed or higher profile Glenelg person than “Super’’.

“He captained the club through its most successful era and has been successful throughout his business career, so it’s a great story for the Glenelg Football Club to have Peter Carey back involved.’’

Nick Chigwidden in action for Glenelg in 1992.

Peter Carey holds aloft the Thomas Seymour Hill trophy aloft after Glenelg beat North Adelaide in the 1986 grand final.

Carey said four-times best and fairest winner Chigwidden deserved to be honoured as a Great of Glenelg after playing a key role in saving the club from extinction.

The club was fighting for survival three years ago when it was $3.2 million in debt, leading to it launching a “Save the Tigers’’ fund.

But with the support of Holdfast Bay Council, it has reported three consecutive operating profits and its future looks rosy.

“We’ve been through some very challenging times and while financial life is never easy in the SANFL, I feel very comfortable about stepping aside now knowing that the club can be sustainable moving forward,’’ Chigwidden said.