A-League: Newcastle Jets saved by rivals following termination of Martin Lee’s licence

Investors from Sydney FC, Western Sydney Wanderers and Western United have come to Newcastle’s rescue and appointed Shane Mattiske to run the Jets.

Goalkeeper Jack Duncan and his Newcastle Jets teammates have been saved by a consortium of owners from rival clubs. Picture: Ashley Feder/Getty Images

Former NRL boss Shane Mattiske has been appointed executive chairman of the Newcastle Jets, after Martin Lee was stripped of the A-League club’s licence.

Mattiske was given the job by a consortium of A-League club investors, who have taken control of the embattled club following Lee’s departure.

Football Australia and Australian Professional Leagues on Monday announced the immediate termination of the A-League and W-League licences held by Lee in the name of Newcastle Jets Club Pty Ltd, for breaching the club’s participation agreement.

The breach was for failing to meet set deadlines to pay debts.

A new licence was issued to an existing group of A-League investors – from Sydney FC, Western Sydney Wanderers and Western United – who will fund the club until a new owner is found. All Jets players will be offered contracts by the interim owners.

Lee, boss of the Shenzhen-based Ledman Group, bought the club in 2016 but reportedly stopped financing the Jets in October 2019.

Mattiske was interim NRL CEO in 2012, following the resignation of David Gallop.

Before that he was the NRL’s general manager of strategy, a role he returned to following his six-month stint as CEO, which ended when David Smith was appointed to the job.

Mattiske left the NRL in March 2014, with his greatest achievement being his role in securing rugby league a $1.2 billion television deal with Fox and Nine.

“Today is a very positive step in the history of a great club which has strongly represented Newcastle, the Hunter and Northern NSW for two decades,” Mattiske said on Monday.

“The uncertainty that has overshadowed the Jets in recent times has been removed and the club now has a strong financial foundation to support its drive for further success in the A-League and W-League. Today’s announcement recognises the importance of the Newcastle Jets to Australian football and the strong commitment to the game in the Hunter and Northern NSW region.

“There is no question that the future success of the Jets will rely heavily on the support of the local community, and I look forward to working closely with the many passionate supporters of this great club.”

Jets captain Nigel Boogaard said: “The news today is a big boost for the players and for the rest of the club.

“While the players have remained focused on performing, the ownership discussions have been a distraction and I’m glad that we can all now look forward to this Friday’s game (against Western Sydney) and beyond, knowing that the club is now on a strong footing.”

Lawrie McKinna, the former Central Coast Mariners coach who had been Jets CEO under Lee’s ownership, is expected to remain with the club in a new role.

FA chief executive James Johnson said the only option left had been to terminate Lee’s licence.

“There were clear failings to adequately capitalise Newcastle Jets FC to meet the minimum requirements set to run an A-League and W-League club and to operate a company in accordance with Australian law,” Johnson said. “Following the recent announcement of the unbundling of the Professional Leagues from Football Australia, it’s pleasing to see a group of existing APL club investors stepping in to assume control of Newcastle Jets FC in the interim.

“It is important for Football Australia to remain separate to the ownership of the clubs so that it can effectively carry out its responsibilities as the governing body of football in Australia and regulator of the Professional Leagues.”

APL commissioner Greg O’Rourke said: “From a competition integrity standpoint, this is an ideal outcome as we continue the 2020-21 seasons.

“Newcastle is a vibrant footballing region with a long and proud history in the game and we are delighted that the Newcastle Jets will continue to participate in the APL.”

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