Peace symbol: Elsegood replaces Delmege on Manly board
June 30, 2009
A BEACHFRONT home in Narrabeen has become the unlikely symbol for peace at Manly following the promotion of former winger Jack Elsegood on to the club's splintered board.
Elsegood, who will replace co-owner Max Delmege on the seven-man board, said he would likely have a better relationship with chairman Scott Penn than Delmege did, and his sale of Penn's property is a reflection of his ability to achieve that.
"To trust me with a fairly substantial asset like that I guess shows the level of trust we've got for one another," said Elsegood, who works for Delmege Residential. "I'm just as happy to talk business with Scott as I am to have a beer with him."
That will be a comforting sign for many at Manly, whose board has endured fractious times this year. The bitter infighting between the Penn and Delmege factions led to the resignation of chief executive Grant Mayer.
But there have since been signs of peace. First, Rick Penn stood down from the board to make way for northern beaches lawyer Kerry Chrysiliou. Then Delmege followed suit, although in Elsegood's absence Delmege, credited along with Scott Penn for saving Manly from financial ruin, will be alternate director.
While also being able to work with Penn, Elsegood is also close to long-time Manly official Peter Peters, who is a relative of the Penns.
"We [he and Delmege] had spoken about it [joining the board] for the last 12 to 18 months," Elsegood said. "At that point in time it was something that hadn't been pushed or required. But while Max is a more than capable person to deal with it, the circumstances at the club have changed a bit.
"There have been some personality clashes. Max has only ever wanted the best for the club, and this is going to relieve a lot of tension. I get on well with Scott Penn and his entire family. There's no ill-feeling there whatsoever."
Glenn Jackson
http://www.smh.com.au/news/lhqnews/peace-symbol-for-sea-eagles/2009/06/29/1246127478873.html
