Failed pokies left Frankston Dolphins with bills of more than $700,00 administrator finds

POKIES did not pay for the Frankston Dolphins, the administrator combing through the VFL club’s financial position has found.

Former Dolphins Football Club general manager Brett Angwin after the club decided to get rid of their pokies. Picture: Chris Eastman

POKIES did not pay for the Frankston Dolphins, the administrator combing through the VFL club’s financial position has found.

The Dolphins owe the Department of Justice’s Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation about $475,000 and Tabcorp $230,000.

Frankston Council ($68,000) is the other major creditor.

The football club handed back its gaming machines earlier in the year, with general manager Brett Angwin declaring they “aren’t the cash cows people think they are’’.

He said the Dolphins lost patrons to other venues when building works started on the new social club.

Administrator Worrells Solvency and Forensic Accountants met creditors on Wednesday and will address players and coaching staff on Tuesday.

A members’ meeting will follow at the clubrooms at 7pm and Worrells spokesman Paul Burness urged anyone interested in the future of the club to attend.

A Dolphins Football Club sign back in May advising it is getting rid of pokies. Picture: Chris Eastman

Former Melbourne Storm CEO Ron Gauci has been called in to save Frankston Dolphins.

He said Frankston would need the support of the community to go on as a VFL club.

Worrells has called in former Melbourne Storm boss Ron Gauci to help save the Dolphins.

Gauci took over the Storm in 2010 after the club had been rocked by a salary cap scandal.

He is credited with playing a major role in turning the Storm around and making them NRL powerhouses.

Following what it called “constructive early discussions with major stakeholders, including the AFL’’, the administrator engaged Gauci to “assist in the process that may lead to a potential restructure’’.

“Drawing on Mr Gauci’s expertise will give the Frankston Football Club the best possible chance of survival and assist in obtaining an outcome that is in the best interest of both the club and its creditors,’’ Burness said in a statement.

It acknowledged the “uncertainty’’ that administration had caused the club’s members, staff, players, sponsors and people with functions booked at the club.

“Worrells is continuing to communicate with those affected by their appointment and expects to meet with the various stakeholders as soon as it is practical to do so.’’

Gauci was until recently interim chief executive of Fed Square. He is also a director of Softball Australia.