Essendon great Kevin Sheedy reveals he voted for James Hird in coach search

Essendon legend Kevin Sheedy says the club must stop telling “untruths” after revealing he backed James Hird — not Brad Scott — to replace Ben Rutten as coach.

Brad Scott is the new coach at Essendon. Picture: Getty Images

Kevin Sheedy lost the boardroom showdown with president David Barham on Thursday night, claiming he voted for James Hird to be the new coach of Essendon.

The Essendon great said the decision to appoint AFL football operations boss Brad Scott was not “fully endorsed’’ by the entire board, a comment the club stressed when it announced Scott on Thursday night.

“The coaching subcommittee met for the final time this afternoon to finalise their recommendation,’’ the Bombers said in press statement.

“This recommendation was then fully endorsed by the board at a meeting this evening.’’

Sheedy, who was on call to the board meeting from California, told the Herald Sun on Friday the boardroom vote was 6-1 – and he voted for Hird.

“I am extremely disappointed that the comment from my club was that it was fully endorsed, when in fact I voted for James Hird to be the coach of Essendon,’’ Sheedy said.

“The vote was 6-1.

‘’Now, I would’ve expected that to have been written, and that in the end the board actually won that vote.

“But I want to make sure all the fans know that I voted for James Hird and I’m extremely disappointed with the report that went out from the Essendon media department.

“I’m not happy.

Brad Scott was unveiled at a press conference on Friday morning. Picture: Getty Images

“Don’t tell the Essendon fan base an untruth.

“This is what happens when you bring new people into the club.

“I actually felt insulted that Hird would think I voted against him after what he’s done for our club.’’

Sheedy said he supported Scott as coach, but preferred Hird because of the contribution Hird had made to the club across three decades.

“I thought he needed a second opportunity, but that’s not to say I won’t support the coach who has been appointed,’’ Sheedy said.

“But I want to make the sure the Essendon fan base understands the truth, and the Hird family.

“It’s nothing against the board, it’s the way it was reported by our media department.’’

Sheedy said he had spoken to a crestfallen Hird since Thursday’s announcement.

Barham, who only won the presidency after Sheedy crossed the floor in the boardroom fight against Paul Brasher in late September, said Hird went through the “exact same process’’ as every other candidate.

Kevin Sheedy’s vote was for James Hird. Picture: Getty Images

Asked if he would like to see Hird return to Essendon, Barham said: “Hirdy will always be a champion of this football club, but I can’t speak for him about whether he wants to get involved. But he will always be loved by this footy club.”

He said the pro-Hird fans would get behind Scott.

“We will be a united club, we will be a strong united club,’’ Barham said.

“The fans respect what we’ve done, they respect the process and they respect Brad, and they will get on board.’’

Sheedy said he would remain a board member.

At Friday’s press conference, Barham said: “Why wouldn’t he stay on the board? Sheeds is a really important part of the board and this club and he will be right behind Brad.’’.

Originally published as Essendon great Kevin Sheedy reveals he voted for James Hird in coach search