Osborne exits as Sharks CEO
http://www.theleader.com.au/news/lo...-exits-as-sharks-ceo/1779349.aspx?storypage=2
CRONULLA Sharks new group CEO John Osborne is quitting the club after compiling a "blueprint'' for its leagues club and development.
Osborne told the
Leader his job had "been done'' over the seven weeks he had been employed.
He said he was leaving at the end of March so the club could implement his plan and that he planned to work on "other development projects''.
Osborne, who is credited with the successful redevelopment of the giant Mingara Sports Club on the NSW central coast, was appointed late last year to head the Sharks leagues club, stadium and redevelopment operations.
Osborne's decision to enact a "get-out'' clause in his contract, within two months of his starting, came more than a month after the Sharks decided to seek, and gain, a year's extention to the approval for their $110 million Sharks Village development concept, which would have lapsed in a few months.
Last year's economic crisis scuttled any early plans by the Sharks to find join-venture partners to finance the planned hotel/retail development, mainly above the Sharks Leagues Club car-parking area. The club has effectively placed it on the back-burner until there's more improvement in the economy.
Osborne's decision to quit initially came as a shock to many leagues and football club employees, and only a few weeks after the Sharks took over the catering operations following the financial collapse of the Snives and Forks company.
Sharks' football club CEO Richard Fisk said he was "personally sad''.
"John Osborne has a brilliant mind and the business plan he has delivered is a comprehensive blueprint for the short, medium and long-term future of our club,'' Fisk said.
Osborne denied any "falling out'' with the club, or its board of directors. "No, I put together a blueprint for the future of the Sharks ... I thought I had done my job and don't need to be here for others in the club to carry it out,'' he said.
"Firstly, nothing changes in the football operations. I've urged the club to invest more on the main operating floor of the leagues club, which has done pretty well despite a lack of investment over the years.
"And I've urged the board to crystalise the development site and stage it appropriately with development partners. I believe the board has agreed ... and there's a good future for the club.''
Osborne said the Sharks Village concept, granted conditional development approval from Sutherland Council last year, was basically "sound''.
"You can tweak changes here and there, but basically it is pretty sound,'' Osborne said.
Sharks' chairman Damian Irvine said the club had benefited greatly from Osborne's expertise.
"We've worked hard to overhaul our operating expenses and income since last year, and John has now identified in his business plan a comprehensive go-forward for the club,'' Irvine said.
"While it is sad, personally, to see John go, I am buoyed by our position he has put us in for the future. We part on good terms, there is no issue between John and the board and, in fact, John has indicated he will make himself available for any future discussions.''
