Comment: Ray Dib’s time was up as Canterbury Bulldogs chairman

RAY Dib wasn’t liked nor trusted. And now he has been embarrassingly booted out of office, writes Dean Ritchie.

Ray Dib has been voted off the Bulldogs board. Picture: Christian Gilles

FINALLY, Canterbury members have seen through Ray Dib.

He wasn’t liked nor trusted. And now he has been embarrassingly booted out of office.

Here was a man that approved a two-year extension for Des Hasler last year only to then sack the same coach just five months later. It was a deplorable business decision.

Not only that, a stubborn Canterbury is now in a court battle with Hasler who is seeking $2m in entitlements.

Fearing backlash his club had lost their family DNA, a desperate and under-pressure Dib tried to push as many former Canterbury players into the club as possible.

Most members clearly saw through it. Players were forced to publicly support Dib’s board, those same players now left red-faced.

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Ray Dib has been voted off the Bulldogs board. Picture: Christian Gilles

Dib tried every trick available, his obsessive drive to retain power was put ahead of the club. Treat your members as fools and pay the price.

There was genuine unrest among hard-core, vocal football club members.

In the end though, the members spoke. They have had a gutful of his leadership.

They want their old club back. A club based on values and unification.

Canterbury Leagues Club chairman George Peponis was another fierce supporter of Dib. Peponis’ position at the club must now be in the spotlight.

Just last week, Peponis heavily criticised the reform ticket which swept to power on Sunday. Peponis may even consider walking away.

George Peponis has been a fierce supporter of Ray Dib. Picture: Brett Costello

Dib was on the NSWRL board that punted Laurie Daley. That after Daley had a handshake agreement to coach NSW again next season. It was un-Australian. Dib’s place on the NSWRL board must surely be in doubt.

Canterbury members erupted into wild cheers when the result was announced at Canterbury Leagues Club.

Hopefully the new board can bring some honour and dignity back to a club that had lost its way.

Originally published as Comment: Ray Dib’s time was up as Canterbury Bulldogs chairman