Ian Dicker joins fight to save VFL club Frankston Dolphins

IAN Dicker, the man who helped save Hawthorn, has joined the fight to rescue embattled VFL club Frankston Dolphins.

Former Hawthorn Football Club president Ian Dicker has joined the fight to save Frankston Dolphins.

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IAN Dicker, the man who helped saved Hawthorn, is in the Frankston Dolphins’ corner as they fight for survival in the VFL.

Dicker, of Mt Eliza, made a surprise appearance at a special meeting of members and supporters at Frankston Park last night, offering to help the club as it strives to stay alive.

The AFL life member led resistance to the Hawks’ proposed merger with Melbourne and was president of Hawthorn from 1996-2005.

His attendance and a large turnout were a boost to the steering group holding the Dolphins together.

Ian Dicker — pictured with Dermott Brereton with Don Scott — is no stranger to fighting to save a footy club.

“Ian turned up out of the blue,’’ Dolphins board member Johnny Georgiou said this morning.

“He heard what was happening to the club and turned up to offer his support.

“No one can take credit for it. He just rocked up. He wants to help.’’

The financially troubled club has been booted out of the VFL for next year but intends to apply for a licence to rejoin the state league in 2018.

A meeting between administrator Worrells and club creditors scheduled for Monday was postponed until October 28.

“On Friday, September 29 a request was sent to Worrells to delay any decisions/plans by themselves and the creditors regarding the future of the club, with the proposal that the Frankston FC has an intention to continue to operate in 2017 (with no VFL team) and then reapply for a 2018 VFL licence in mid-2017,’’ Dolphins great Peter Geddes said in an email to Dolphins members last week.

“We have been inundated with a tide of support for the Dolphins over the last week and are confident that we can put together an effective business plan to guide us through the next few years.’’

Ian Dicker (right) helps chair Shane Crawford of the ground in 2002.

Geddes said the club was adopting the motto of “keep your feet — let us not stumble during this important time’’.

The Dolphins have formed a steering group consisting of board members Georgiou, Ash Roberts, Shane Boland and Jamie Crowder; past players and officials Geddes, Rocky Lloyd and Mick O’Neil; coaches Pat Hill and Greg Scott; and captain Jason Pongracic.

Frankston went into administration in August with debts of more than $1 million.

Worrells devised a financial strategy to keep the club operating but AFL Victoria last week terminated the licence, saying the Dolphins’ debts were too hard to ignore.

Western Bulldogs premiership coach Luke Beveridge, a former Frankston player, has come out in support of the Dolphins.

“Such a shame that club has been wrapped up,’’ he said on Fox Footy.

Georgiou said he was pleased with the “great turnout’’ last night.

“Everyone is really supportive of moving the club forward and on the same path as we are,’’ he said.

“It’s all really positive.’’