Essendon responds to fans who want to cancel memberships

Amid the latest tumult at Essendon, angry fans are tearing up their memberships. Here’s how the Bombers have responded.

Essendon has responded top fans who plan to rip up their memberships in the wake of the club's botched CEO appointment.

Essendon has responded to outraged supporters who threatened to tear up their memberships on the back of Andrew Thorburn’s appointment as chief executive.

Thorburn was appointed on Monday but resigned on Tuesday in the wake of the Herald Sun’s revelations that he was also chairman of a church which had likened abortion to the Holocaust.

“The person who holds a CEO position must reflect the values of the organisation that they lead and represent and throughout the course of (Tuesday) it became apparent that this was not the case for Andrew,” Essendon’s membership department wrote in an email to fans.

Andrew Thorburn at The Hangar, Essendon Football club

“There was a clear conflict in values from being a director of the church that do not align with being the leader of the Essendon Football Club. We understand and respect each individual's decision to commit as a member … and will continue to move forward as a united club.

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“In light of this, can you please confirm if you would still like me to complete the cancellation of your 2023 membership?”

The Bombers’ relationship with Ernst and Young, the consultancy firm which is also completing the club’s external review, became strained after it failed to uncover the red flag before Thorburn’s appointment.

President David Barham said the club first learnt of Thorburn’s connections to City on a Hill — and that offensive sermon from 2013 — after it was reported in the Herald Sun.

The church has since deleted the concentration camp comparison from its online sermon.

City on a Hill pastor and founder Guy Mason said: “The words were wrong. I would use different words today”.

Dons’ bizarre NFL failure

Essendon paid NFL powerbroker Michael Lombardi to assess its football department in 2019 — but failed to ever formally present his findings to the club’s board.

As the Bombers await the findings from their second formal review this season, it can be revealed Lombardi spoke to all key figures in the football department during his week-long visit to Tullamarine late in the 2019 season.

The 63-year-old attended match committee, opposition analysis, team meetings and reviews.

Lombardi sent a document filled with his observations to former chief executive Xavier Campbell, who drove the decision to engage Lombardi.

But some board members never received Lombardi’s observations while others claimed they were only given a summary.

Michael Lombardi at Essendon FC. Picture: Essendon FC.

It’s understood the Bombers covered the cost of Lombardi’s flights and paid him a small fee in exchange for his work. Lombardi also attended a luncheon with club sponsors.

The Bombers have privately conceded their old administration made a mistake by never formally canvassing the document.

It’s understood Lindsay Tanner, who was chairman at the time, did not meet Lombardi.

Tanner declined to comment on Friday.

Multiple staff members insisted that Lombardi was hands-on. They were told he would be reviewing the football program, but said they never saw any outcomes come from it.

It’s understood Lombardi spoke to staff at Essendon’s Reynolds Room and Coleman Room meeting rooms and also held less formal chats in the club’s cafe.

Lombardi has been an executive for San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns, Philadelphia Eagles and Oakland Raiders and also worked under legendary coach Bill Belichick.

Great win by the Bombers..Well done Essendon..#afl

— Michael Lombardi (@mlombardiNFL) July 3, 2020

The Herald Sun put questions to Lombardi recently regarding his work for Essendon.

Lombardi, who lives in the US, asked for more information and arranged a time to speak.

However Lombardi suddenly changed his mind, saying: “My relationship with Essendon is confidential”.

The Bombers are adamant the Lombardi report is irrelevant now, given the club has undergone multiple leadership transformations since.

When Lombardi visited they had John Worsfold as coach, Ben Rutten as his assistant, Dan Richardson as football manager, Campbell as chief executive and Tanner as president.

They have all departed.

Lindsay Tanner during his time at the Bombers. Picture: Michael Klein

The Bombers have commissioned another three formal reviews since receiving Lombardi’s observations.

Former chairman Paul Brasher commissioned an internal review after the dismal 2020 season, which uncovered a more “ruthless” coaching mantra suited the players, and then another internal review after the 2-9 start to this season.

When new president David Barham ousted Brasher in August he demanded an external review because he was not happy with this year‘s internal review, which — like the 2020 version — was led by football directors Simon Madden and Sean Wellman.

Former player Andrew Welsh replaced Madden on the board last month.

Barham’s external review, which is being led by Ernst & Young and one-day chief executive Andrew Thorburn, is being finalised now.

Unlike Lombardi, the EY review will form a set of recommendations for the entire club — starting with the board and executive. The review will cover Essendon’s culture and processes and will also assess all of the administration and football department.

Thorburn said he hoped the EY review would lead to “great change”.