He helped take the club from the brink of extinction to a long-awaited flag and now Nick Chigwidden will walk away as a ‘Great of Glenelg’
Nick Chigwidden has been honoured as a ‘Great of Glenelg’ after guiding the club from the brink of extinction to a premiership.
Glenelg
Don't miss out on the headlines from Glenelg. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Cornes: Glenelg broke drought, but footy was the winner
- Prizes, discounts, freebies: Check out the latest subscriber rewards
IF someone had told Nick Chigwidden at the height of Glenelg's financial crisis that he would be stepping down as president three years later with a premiership, he would have scoffed at them.
“It was the dream, we were dreaming very big, but in all honesty a flag at that point seemed a world away,’’ he said a month after the Tigers upset Port Adelaide in the SANFL grand final to win their first flag in 33 years.
“Our long-term vision was to win a flag and be debt free by our centenary in 2021 but initially we were just concerned with keeping our doors from being shut.
“We were in serious, serious trouble.’’
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 >
In June, 2016, Glenelg launched the Save the Tigers campaign to stop the club from folding.
It was $3.2 million in debt, owed its creditors about $800,000 and was rattling tins to raise money.
The once-proud club was on its knees and calling on club greats to rally behind it in its time of need.
But Chigwidden — a favourite son who is its longest-serving captain — belied his small stature to stand tall in the crisis.
This month — after eight years in charge — he officially handed the presidency over to the club’s greatest player, Peter Carey.
In a fairytale departure from the top off-field role, Chigwidden leaves with a flag and the honour of being named a “Great of Glenelg’’.
At the club’s best and fairest and Hall of Fame presentation, the 51-year-old became just the 18th person to earn top billing at the Bay for his service as a player and administrator.
“It’s an unbelievable honour and something I’m very humbled by,’’ said Chigwidden.
“I was lucky enough to be able to play for this great club and to help lead it through a very challenging period, along with so many other great people, and come out the other side with a premiership is something I’m very proud of.’’
MORE STORIES
Glenelg great Peter Carey to replace Nick Chigwidden as president
Chigwidden played 293 games for the Tigers from 1987-2000, was captain from 1993-2000, won four best and fairests (1991-94) and was runner-up in the Magarey Medal twice (in 1994 and 1996).
He said that not in his wildest dreams did he think Glenelg could turn around its on and off field fortunes so quickly.
Until this year, the Tigers had not played in the finals since 2011.
“It is unbelievable and has come quicker than expected, given where we were three years ago,” Chigwidden said.
“If the Holdfast Bay Council did not give us relief with interest on the debt, we would have had to shut the doors.
“That makes this flag extra special and means so much to so many people.’’
The club is still working through its debt but is making big progress.
The flag has provided another major source of income, through catering and merchandise sales.
Glenelg is undergoing plenty of off-season change.
While Chigwidden, who will remain on the board for a 12rh year, has handed over the presidency to club games record holder Carey, chief executive Glenn Elliott has announced he will be retiring from the role at the club’s annual general meeting in February.
Elliott played a pivotal role in saving the club from going under.
“Glenn has done an outstanding job through some very challenging times and to be finishing his reign with a premiership and the club being awarded the Stanley H. Lewis Cup for the best performed club across the competition is testament to all his hard work,’’ said Chigwidden.
“He has left Glenelg in a much stronger place than it was when he arrived.’’
The Tigers will advertise for Elliott’s replacement.
Glenelg, which appears set to lose several players in the AFL draft, including Magarey Medallist Luke Partington, All-Australian under-18s defender Will Gould and clever forward Brad Close, has decided to buck recent tradition and not hand its No. 5 guernsey to its 2020 captain.
With premiership skipper Chris Curran, 28, taking a one year hiatus from the SANFL to move to the Riverland town of Renmark next year for medical studies, the club — expecting him back in 2021 — will be appointing a stand-in skipper for one season.
The No. 5 — famously worn by Carey during his record 448-game career — will be put on ice for the year.
Premiership vice-captain Max Proud would be the logical choice to be Tigers captain next season.