NRL 2022: Dragons chairman Craig Young slammed over Brett Finch support letter
A storm has erupted over St George-Illawarra chairman Craig Young using the club’s letterhead in a reference to support disgraced former NRL star Brett Finch.
St George Illawarra chairman Craig Young has been forced to apologise to fans for using using the club’s letterhead in a reference to support disgraced former NRL star Brett Finch.
Finch, the former NSW Blues State of Origin hero, is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to using a sex hotline to share child abuse material.
Young, a former police detective and Dragons club legend, provided a glowing endorsement of Finch’s character at his sentencing hearing.
He wrote: “I believe that Brett is a highly decent young man.”
In a statement on Friday Young said he had made a mistake.
“It was an error in judgement to put this statement on club letterhead,” Young said.
“I was asked to provide a letter of support to a family friend who I believe made a serious mistake but is a fundamentally decent person,” Young said.
“I should not have connected the club to this matter and would like to apologise to members, fans, sponsors and all other stakeholders for any distress caused.”
It was the fact the reference was written on club letterhead that infuriated supporters who have gone ballistic on social media.
“Craig Young should be made to step down and resign with immediate effect. A character reference is his choice. Our club is NOT his to use as backing for personal matters,” @Aaron_Speer wrote on Twitter.
Another commenter @RufusRex6 said: “These are the opinions of Craig Young the man and I hope are not the shared opinions of the Dragons football club. Such a terrible thing to write on club letterhead when the club represents players from the youngest of juniors to the oldest of veterans.”
In the reference Young said: “I have followed and been involved in Brett’s sporting career; I was Brett’s team manager when he represented New South Wales in a State of Origin series.
“He demonstrated to me at that point in his life strong leadership skills within the team environment and always showed great sportsmanship towards his teammates and opposition players as a whole.”
The club’s former media manager Jack Brady hit out at Young’s decision.
Brady only left the club this month.
“Do not blame the club for this,” Brady tweeted. “This was a poor, selfish individual decision.”
Dragons chief executive Ryan Webb says the club is now looking into it.
“We had no idea the letter was being done on the club letterhead,” he said.
“It’s a personal reference and not the club’s views.
“We’re looking into how it’s come about.”
An NRL spokesman said: “The NRL is not in a position to comment on the matter until legal proceedings are concluded.”
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