West Adelaide Football Club financial members consider board overthrow over $100,000 in missing funds
TWO financial members of West Adelaide say supporters are privately discussing plans to overthrow the club's board because of concerns over $100,000 in missing funds.
TWO financial members of West Adelaide Football Club say Bloods supporters are privately discussing plans to overthrow the club's current board because of concerns over its handling of more than $100,000 in missing funds.
The members say there is not yet an organised push to gather the 60 signatures required to call the special general meeting needed for such a move but discussions will continue this week.
A financial member of the club told the Weekly Times Messenger he and other members were due to meet this week to decide on whether to begin gathering signatures to call the meeting.
The club yesterday confirmed it had uncovered missing money during an audit a month ago.
The club said all of the money had been recouped.
The Bloods are yet to involve police in the disappearance of the money, which may have been taken by a former employee.
An "internal review" of the club's operations is continuing but a report is not expected until February.
Another source said he had also heard talk of a board spill, but stressed that any members planning such a move first needed to have plans for a replacement board in place.
"There's no point in having a special AGM if there's no plan B," the member said.
"You've got to have this group of blokes ready to go (to replace the board)," said the member, who requested anonymity.
The member described the current board's lack of communication with members as "pathetic".
Other fans, however, believe members should let the club complete its internal review before casting judgment.
Ted Curly, who has supported the club since 1952, said news of the money's disappearance had come as a shock to most fans.
"We're very upset about it, but there's nothing we can do about it now except keep supporting," he said.
Club volunteer Lee Harradine said he had faith in the current administration.
"I've got confidence that the committee, when they have all the facts, will make a decision in the best interests of the club," he said.
Another supporter, Brian Munn, said it was unfair for supporters to pass judgment without knowing all the facts.
"You let the people that are running the club, run the club, that's my philosophy," he said.
"There's nothing we can actually do so we'll leave it to those who know the full facts."
SANFL general manager Chris Davies said the league would not interfere with the board inquiry but expected the Bloods to brief the SA Football Commission upon the review's completion.
"I expect the SA Football Commission would be fully briefed by the West Adelaide Football Club should the internal review being conducted by the club highlight any misappropriations," he said.
West Adelaide has faced hard financial times in recent years including a $505,027 loss in 2012 and a $139,884 deficit in 2011.
The Bloods board is due to meet on Monday (November 18) to continue discussions.