Knights vote to extend Brian Smith's contract
BY ROBERT DILLON
29/01/2009 4:00:00 AM
BRIAN Smith's tenure as Knights coach is set to continue beyond this season after the club's board of directors voted unanimously last night to offer him a contract extension.
Knights chairman Rob Tew told The Herald after the monthly meeting that the club would begin negotiations aimed at re-signing Smith, who has one year to run on a three-season deal.
"The board has instructed the CEO [Steve Burraston] to approach Brian with a view to extending his contract," Tew said.
Despite speculation that the board may have been divided over whether to retain the 54-year-old veteran, Tew insisted the vote was unanimous.
"It was indeed," he said.
The decision to retain Smith was largely expected, given that both Tew and Burraston have publicly endorsed him in recent months.
But there was also a surprise announcement after last night's meeting that Newcastle's deputy chairman, Tony Butterfield, was standing down from his board position to accept a paid role with the club as its corporate and community liaison officer.
Newcastle's constitution states that club employees are not allowed to serve on the board, so Butterfield's resignation creates a vacancy on the nine-person executive, which the club hopes to fill as soon as possible.
Tew was uncertain what length of tenure would be offered to Smith but said last night's decision was a vote of faith in the coach, who steered Newcastle to within one win of the play-offs last year after a controversial cleanout in 2007.
"It will come down to a negotiation between Brian and our CEO," Tew said.
"Our recommendation is that we extend it, and it is going to come down to a two-party agreement."
Smith said he did not want to "jump the gun" by speculating on the possible length of tenure he would be offered.
"Steve just rang me to ask if we could get together and negotiate, so I'm pleased about that and I'll look forward to doing that at some stage next week," Smith said.
"But the thing needs to be paid respect.
"I'm just happy to listen to what Steve's got to say. I'm sure that if we've both got the will, we'll work it out."
In a top-grade career that started in 1984 and included stints at Illawarra, St George and Parramatta before Newcastle, Smith has coached in 505 games, behind only Tim Sheens and Wayne Bennett.
He also spent three seasons with Hull and a year with Bradford in the United Kingdom.
Meanwhile, Knights officials believe Butterfield was the ideal candidate to fill their newly created position, which they hope can help forge closer relationships between players, corporate supporters and the community.
"We've created this position to assist with managing our community presence and to further strengthen our ties with the region," Burraston said.
"When I first tabled the idea and then Tony expressed interest, we were delighted and all agreed he was a perfect fit for the position.
"Tony has strong credentials. He's a foundation player, a member of the Knights' Team of the Era, a former club captain and Origin player and has a business background with strong ties in the Newcastle community."
Tew said he spoke at length about the position with Butterfield and both felt he can make "a significant contribution" in his new role.
Butterfield said 2009 was shaping as a big year for the Knights and he felt he could make a greater impact in his new capacity.
"Now is the time to galvanise support behind the club and the team," he said. "I know that in this role I can play a more meaningful part in that process."
