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http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/n...cks-geoff-toovey/story-e6frfgbo-1226161913941
Bob Fulton slams Manly Sea Eagles board, backs Geoff Toovey
MANLY'S two most influential men Ken Arthurson and Bob Fulton last night called for the club's dysfunctional board to appoint favourite son Geoff Toovey as Des Hasler's coaching successor.
Fulton also had strong words for Manly's fumbling board as the reverberations of Hasler's move to Canterbury in 2013 continued to sweep the NRL.
Speaking exclusively with The Sunday Telegraph, Fulton said Manly could instantly erase the club's uncertainty by naming Toovey as head coach when Hasler leaves to take up a four-year deal with the Bulldogs.
Toovey, 42, is a local junior who played 238 games for Manly and 48 for the Northern Eagles. He has been Hasler's assistant coach for five years and been part of the Sea Eagles' coaching staff since 2004.
"The board have made two major decisions over the past 18 months and stuffed up both of them," Fulton said.
"They terminated (media manager) Peters Peters because of an agenda against him. And for 18 months, Des was unsuccessful in getting a contract extension. Manly need to appoint a 2013 replacement now for Des and it should be Toovey. He deserves his chance.
"If, and when, Toovey is appointed, he shouldn't have to put up with the political crap Des contended with for the past two years."
Toovey led Manly to three successive grand finals - 1995-97 - winning the 1996 decider against St George.
"Geoff Toovey is the ideal replacement. Manly shouldn't procrastinate - appoint him now," Arthurson said.
"I know there is talk about Ricky Stuart - and I want to stress I have the highest possible regard for Ricky, he is an outstanding coach. But NSW badly need Ricky to win back the State of Origin title.
"Appointing Toovey for 2013 would take away the uncertainty. They have to act and act quickly.
"He understands the Manly culture, understands the game and knows the players.
"We cannot have this appointment dragging on, it has to be done immediately.
"Des will be very hard to replace, but Manly are fortunate to have Toovey in the wings.
"I think Des should honour his contract next season, but I have spoken to Bozo about Toovey and he agrees with me."
Manly fans were yesterday furious at the board for allowing Hasler to walk away.
The main anger centred on chief executive David Perry and football and leagues club chairman Bob Reilly.
On Twitter, fans were threatening to organise an extraordinary general meeting to oust Reilly.
One Tweet read: "Shattered".
Another said: "Someone needs to be answerable to this debacle."
A third demanded: "Sack the board."
And yet another typed: "Get rid of the board. It's a circus."
It wasn't much better on Facebook, with one disgruntled fan saying: "Thanks so much Manly board. Now how smart was your decision to sack Zorba (Peters)? You've cost us Des, Crusher (recruitment guru Noel Cleal) and a handful of players. Hope you're happy."
Perry and Reilly are under pressure to stand down after Hasler's decision to leave the club and the sacking of Peters.
It is understood Perry told the board he would quit if the club didn't axe Peters.
Still, a defiant Arthurson tipped Manly to once again prove the doubters wrong.
"Manly is a resilient old club," Arthurson said. "We have been through tough times before. We have been on our knees but have always been able to stand up and get back on top again. This club has always bounced back."
Bob Fulton slams Manly Sea Eagles board, backs Geoff Toovey
MANLY'S two most influential men Ken Arthurson and Bob Fulton last night called for the club's dysfunctional board to appoint favourite son Geoff Toovey as Des Hasler's coaching successor.
Fulton also had strong words for Manly's fumbling board as the reverberations of Hasler's move to Canterbury in 2013 continued to sweep the NRL.
Speaking exclusively with The Sunday Telegraph, Fulton said Manly could instantly erase the club's uncertainty by naming Toovey as head coach when Hasler leaves to take up a four-year deal with the Bulldogs.
Toovey, 42, is a local junior who played 238 games for Manly and 48 for the Northern Eagles. He has been Hasler's assistant coach for five years and been part of the Sea Eagles' coaching staff since 2004.
"The board have made two major decisions over the past 18 months and stuffed up both of them," Fulton said.
"They terminated (media manager) Peters Peters because of an agenda against him. And for 18 months, Des was unsuccessful in getting a contract extension. Manly need to appoint a 2013 replacement now for Des and it should be Toovey. He deserves his chance.
"If, and when, Toovey is appointed, he shouldn't have to put up with the political crap Des contended with for the past two years."
Toovey led Manly to three successive grand finals - 1995-97 - winning the 1996 decider against St George.
"Geoff Toovey is the ideal replacement. Manly shouldn't procrastinate - appoint him now," Arthurson said.
"I know there is talk about Ricky Stuart - and I want to stress I have the highest possible regard for Ricky, he is an outstanding coach. But NSW badly need Ricky to win back the State of Origin title.
"Appointing Toovey for 2013 would take away the uncertainty. They have to act and act quickly.
"He understands the Manly culture, understands the game and knows the players.
"We cannot have this appointment dragging on, it has to be done immediately.
"Des will be very hard to replace, but Manly are fortunate to have Toovey in the wings.
"I think Des should honour his contract next season, but I have spoken to Bozo about Toovey and he agrees with me."
Manly fans were yesterday furious at the board for allowing Hasler to walk away.
The main anger centred on chief executive David Perry and football and leagues club chairman Bob Reilly.
On Twitter, fans were threatening to organise an extraordinary general meeting to oust Reilly.
One Tweet read: "Shattered".
Another said: "Someone needs to be answerable to this debacle."
A third demanded: "Sack the board."
And yet another typed: "Get rid of the board. It's a circus."
It wasn't much better on Facebook, with one disgruntled fan saying: "Thanks so much Manly board. Now how smart was your decision to sack Zorba (Peters)? You've cost us Des, Crusher (recruitment guru Noel Cleal) and a handful of players. Hope you're happy."
Perry and Reilly are under pressure to stand down after Hasler's decision to leave the club and the sacking of Peters.
It is understood Perry told the board he would quit if the club didn't axe Peters.
Still, a defiant Arthurson tipped Manly to once again prove the doubters wrong.
"Manly is a resilient old club," Arthurson said. "We have been through tough times before. We have been on our knees but have always been able to stand up and get back on top again. This club has always bounced back."
