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A tear Eddie McGuire called time on his tenure as president of Collingwood after the racism scandal that has ravaged the club in recent months.
McGuire had announced late last year that he would step down at the end of the 2021 season, but has come under immense pressure to quit his role in recent weeks afterward. a damning report on the culture of the club under his leadership.
McGuire bit back tears when he announced he would resign immediately at a press conference on Tuesday afternoon.
“I try my best and I don’t always do things right, but I just keep trying,” he said.
“From the moment I became President of Collingwood Football Club on my 34th birthday in 1998, my only motivation was to heal, unite, inspire and lead a new social conscience, not only in this club, but also in sport and the general community and build an organization that would be a place of opportunity for all. “
The 56-year-old was elected by membership vote as president of Collingwood in October 1998, with the club struggling extensively on the pitch in the 90s following his tenure as premier in 1990.
Collingwood’s fortune on the pitch exploded under McGuire’s tenure, with the club making grand final appearances in 2002, 2003, 2010, 2011 and 2018; appearances which included a victory for prime minister in 2010.
However, as McGuire rebuilt Collingwood as a powerhouse on the pitch, the club’s off-court reputation was cut off last week after the club’s findings were leaked. Report better.
“I remind people that our recent review, inspired by Black Lives Matter, that part of the six-year journey of our action plan for reconciliation was to look at what we need to do in the next 10 years, not the last.” , did he declare. regarding the recent criticism of the club’s culture.
“It should be noted and emphasized that in undertaking this review the club did not hesitate to hold a mirror. It was a courageous first step that few would have the courage to take and shows the seriousness with which the club takes this question.
“The report points out that there have been systemic issues, which the authors say means issues without process that have seen our club react to incidents.
“That is why, in the first paragraph of my written statement last Monday, which I did not read in my oral comments, but I repeat: the board of directors of Collingwood Football Club ordered the Report better for the right reasons.
“We can learn from our past. Collingwood is and will continue to be a wonderful club, but that shouldn’t stop us from striving to do better.
“The CFC Report better is a recognition that our club, our game and our country have not always been right and for our part, we have always tried to do our best, but it has not always been good enough, and for that we are sorry. “
McGuire thanked each of the club’s coaches and captains under his leadership as well as his wife and two sons, revealing that he will also be stepping away from the media for the time being.
“… I’m going to take a break for a little while to pull myself together and heal,” he said.
“So there you have it. The club can build a new future with an extremely fast pace. The implementation of the Report better will indeed make us better.
“Our finances and plans are well advanced and hopefully we’ll have some silverware in the closet by the end of the year.
“To old companion Joffa Corfe and my beloved magpie army, I am with you side by side, black and white forever. Good luck to everyone.
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