The Bulldogs are facing off-field criticism with the club’s former chairman claiming they are attempting to increase their presence on the board of the Canterbury League Club.
Gary McIntyre, who was central to the club’s salary cap scandal and resigned in 2002, has taken his complaints public with concerns they are “dishonouring” a deal dating back 35 years, reports the SMH.
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The licensed club at Belmore, which has over 60,000 members and earns the team over $5 million a year, has seven directors including a guaranteed majority of four appointed by the club along with three independents.
But McIntyre, a rival candidate in this weekend’s election, has complained the Bulldogs’ chief executive Aaron Warburton is being backed for one of the independent spots.
“I was chairman at the time, and I was concerned someone might take control of our leagues club in 1991,” McIntyre told the SMH.
“I asked the members to accept (the Bulldogs appointing) four out of seven (directors) to protect the football club. But I said the football club have undertaken that they will not put any more on the board.
“It’s a matter of honour and I believe this is dishonouring that undertaking.”
McIntyre rejoined the board in 2022 after resigning in 2002 for his role in the team’s salary cap scandal. He was then disqualified in 2024, having failed to declare a two-year ban placed upon him when he departed the club.
Bulldogs powerbroker Phil Gould declared the club’s stability is crucial.
“Everything we have built over the past four years has been built on stability – stability in the boardroom, in the front office, and on the field. The results speak for themselves,” he told the SMH.
“This club endured the most turbulent period in its history when outside agitators repeatedly tried to manipulate elections and install themselves in positions of power. That instability cost us years and hurt everyone connected with this club. We will not go back there.
“Our focus remains firmly on building something lasting, and we will continue to distance ourselves from anyone who seeks to destabilise what we are creating.”
Football club chairman Adam Driussi, who will soon be one of the Bulldogs’ four directors, said the Bulldogs were within their rights to contend for the election.
“The football club is nominating a ticket at the League Club elections — as we are fully entitled to do, and as has happened on numerous occasions throughout the history of this club,” he said.
“The Canterbury League Club is our closest and most important partner. We believe this ticket strengthens that relationship further and helps ensure both organisations continue to move in the same direction.”
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