CFC President Jeff Browne ~ to step aside

[SLORT]

"Collingwood president Jeff Browne tells board he’s stepping down from the role"

https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/collingw ... c-15857750

[WhyPhilWhy?]

"when things are in order", which with the way things stand at the moment could be 2-3 years for the poor bastard

Get well soon Brownie

[RudeBoy]

It's very sad that Browne's terminal illness is forcing him to step down. It wouldn't surprise me if Kelly departs soon as well. I loved him as a player, but never thought he had the right temperament to be CEO at a club like Collingwood. He is too much of a big figure. The CEO should be a quiet, behind the scene's person.
If it's true that he had a personality clash with Wright, then this is a disastrous outcome. After finally stabilising the off-field positions in 2022, could it be that just 2 yrs later we are potentially in need of a new Head of Football, President and CEO?

[BazBoy]

There are things to sort out now !!
And as smoothly & and with no fuss

The latest with Wright/ Kelly alledged discourse
Wright is gone and Kelly remains

I’d prefer it the other way as Wright always seemed controlled

[shawthing]

Terrible news. Hope Jeff Browne makes a miraculous recovery. Some things are much more important than footy.

On the footy front though the club is now in crisis.

[RudeBoy]

Having to potentially replace our President, Head of Football and CEO would indeed represent a crisis.

[Gerry Cooper]

Its only a crisis if we dont have proper processes to fall back on or we stuff up the selection processes

[Jezza]

I think some have misunderstood the news around Browne. He's not leaving effective immediately and still has some things he wants to achieve, but he's outlining a succession plan once he departs. His current term is due to expire at the end of the year pending a members votes as to whether he's re-elected or not for a further 3 years.

Browne is lining up a succession plan with Barry Carp (current board member elected in 2021 alongside Browne and Renee Roberts) earmarked as the likely next president.

The fact that we're preparing a succession plan and have one eye on the future is refreshing. When Eddie resigned in late 2020/early 2021, it left a power vacuum at the club that took a year to resolve so I'm hoping we can avoid going through all that over again. It was destructive and unsettled the club in 2021.

Browne isn't planning to step aside due to his recent health battles. As a matter of fact, he's currently in remission which is fantastic news.

[Philthypie]

Any chance that Wright could return in Kelly's job? it seems to be the role he is after elsewhere, so if the Collingwood CEO position is available, he is the perfect fit. He's a No B/S man, and I think the main cog in our turnaround, and consequent Premiership. I am horrified that he's left the Club, and they should roll out the red carpet to bring him back.

[SLORT]

Browne is lining up a succession plan with Barry Carp (current board member elected in 2021 alongside Browne and Renee Roberts) earmarked as the likely next president.

So who is Barry Carp?

Background as a corporate lawyer, moved to investment banking, married in to the Smorgon family, head of River capital an investment company that he and his wife founded.

It's one of the things that has always worried me about professional sport; the need for the rich and powerful to be involved both on the board and in leading a club. The further we seemingly move towards the USA model of direct team ownership the more I find my own interest waning in sport as a whole.

I'm not saying that Barry is in any way a part of this. I'm just always surprised at how many of the most influential people in football appear to be of a certain billionaire class. I'd always assumed (probably wrongly) that was more Carlton's ethos than ours.

[RudeBoy]

I agree with you Slort.

Sport is simply big business these days, but relies on the blind loyalty of ordinary people to support their team. As each year goes by, my own passion for the game, and dare I say it, even for my beloved Pies, diminishes bit by bit, mainly due to the complete commercialisation and corporatisation of the AFL.

[The Black and White Lion]

The succession plan sounds like a good idea. Had a horrible thought yesterday that the recent explosion in media content from Eddie (well in my sphere anyway including his I love magpies video) was leading to him trying to mount another bid for Pres. I don't want to go back there and are very happy to see some new blood, new vision and hopefully someone who can sort out our CEO and HoF mess sooner than later and bring some stability back to the club.

[LaurieHolden]

Jeff Browne will not seek re-election at the upcoming AGM to be held on December 16 this year.
https://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/news/1 ... eff-browne

Re President, if Jeff Browne's successor comes from the existing group, I'd suggest VP Paul Licuria might be closer to moving into that post that McMullin.
The only issue I have with McMullin is that he was one of Eddie McGuire’s loyal lieutenants, that's an era we need to move on from. (let alone pushing Bartell towards the Club)

https://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/club/b ... -executive
All going well there isn't any factionalism that spills out into the public during this period.

Maybe Nurse Ratched allows @Hiss out of the Corio Bay Retirement Home, to allow him to hit the hustings of the 5 Streets that border Victoria Park in order to garner support for a tilt at President.

[The Black and White Lion]

100% @LaurieHolden and you know Eddie has been maneuvering behind the scenes for sure. Whilst he is entitled to free speech etc he needs to stay out of the way and so do his minions. We don't want a return to those days. With the Ned and GW nonsense, I fear we're on the precipice and the club could lose its way even further. Pert was toxic and was great to get rid of that generation too. We're all rightly nervous about the Ned and post Jeff Browne era too. Feels like we're in for another serve of anxiety in 2025.

Carlton trumping Browne's news this morning also troubles me. I don't know how much intel GW has on the Pies current list strategy but he's now at a rival club competing for the same picks and players and it's only day 3 of the trade period. Feeling that anxiety even more now.

But all in all I do want to say thanks to Jeff Browne on his time as President at CFC. He has far exceeded my expectations!

[Jezza]

Thank you for your service, Jeff.

Stepped up to the role when leadership was required after Eddie’s departure. He played a pivotal role to our 2023 success so for that he deserves our gratitude.

Best wishes for the future, particularly on the health front.