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The truth behind Mad Max Delmege
By Dean Ritchie | February 25, 2009
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/nrl/story/0,27074,25102740-14823,00.html
ANGRY Manly chairman Scott Penn last night claimed to be the victim of a "sabotage and a smear campaign" from fellow owner Max Delmege as a Daily Telegraph investigation revealed the colourful property developer had back-flipped on almost 10 issues in the war ripping the club apart.
The drama has been reignited with Penn vehemently denying Delmege's claim on Channel Nine News that he wanted to relocate to the Central Coast.
The Daily Telegraph obtained Manly's constitution which states the club cannot "play less than 10 home games at Brookvale Oval or another ground in the Manly Warringah district or change the name of the football team from the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles".
Delmege has made a series of provocative claims in recent times that cannot be substantiated and are bordering on fairytales rather than fact.
The divide between the two owners has never been wider with sources suggesting they could never work together again.
The Daily Telegraph has found seven instances where Delmege could either not back up his comments, or has changed his mind on them.
see next post
Penn has clearly had enough and went on the attack in an explosive interview from Leeds, where his side is preparing for the World Club Challenge.
"We are bitterly disappointed that Max is running a smear campaign against us," Penn said.
"He is trying to make the Manly members think we don't have the best of interests of the club at heart. Nothing could be further from the truth.
"It seems they are trying to sabotage us. I just can't understand why Max would be misleading our fans.
"What is his motivation? Why is he doing it? If they get rid of us, who is going to come in?"
Penn once and for all laid to rest talk he wants to relocate Manly to Gosford.
"We have no plans for the Central Coast. We can't. It says so in the constitution," Penn said.
"We have said a number of times on the record that we don't want to go to the Central Coast.
"We have worked diligently to get Brookvale Oval revamped and we (the Penn family) are spending $15 million redeveloping Manly Leagues Club.
"Why would we contemplate going to Gosford when we are putting all our eggs in the Northern Beaches basket?
"The constitution states to relocate you would need 100 per cent of votes. That will never happen."
Delmege fired back last night at Penn's accusations.
"There's no smear campaign. I would never do that," Delmege said. "He (Penn) admitted to a couple of people that the Central Coast was in their plans. Ken Arthurson was one of them.
"I have always been honest and told the truth.
"It was the Penns who fired the first bullet. It was totally embarrassing and it has affected my business. Scott Penn couldn't guarantee's Manly future. I can.
"I don't want trouble. I want peace. I am worried for the fans and the players."
Arthurson has spoken to Penn about talk of moving Manly.
"He has assured me the club won't be relocating anywhere," Arthurson said.
Delmege has been accused of saying Hasler would be coach for "22 years" before the coach was only offered a one-year extension which included key performance indicators.
"Des will know when it's time to leave. He is there for as long as he wants to be," Delmege said last night.
Asked then about why he publicly backed Grant Mayer before the CEO was not offered a new deal, Delmege said: "He did have my full support until Scott threw down his resignation at the meeting."
The Manly football club board will issue a two-page letter to members calling for calm as the club's problems continue.
The letter comes after The Daily Telegraph revealed angry fans wanted to call an extraordinary general meeting to discuss with directors the current issues.
Members should receive the letter within 24 hours.
There are behind-the-scenes moves to have Mayer returned as CEO for next season.
Asked about his threat to sack Manly media manager Peter Peters, Delmege said: "I would be happy to sit down and have a chat. I don't want him going out on a bad note."
By Dean Ritchie | February 25, 2009
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/nrl/story/0,27074,25102740-14823,00.html
ANGRY Manly chairman Scott Penn last night claimed to be the victim of a "sabotage and a smear campaign" from fellow owner Max Delmege as a Daily Telegraph investigation revealed the colourful property developer had back-flipped on almost 10 issues in the war ripping the club apart.
The drama has been reignited with Penn vehemently denying Delmege's claim on Channel Nine News that he wanted to relocate to the Central Coast.
The Daily Telegraph obtained Manly's constitution which states the club cannot "play less than 10 home games at Brookvale Oval or another ground in the Manly Warringah district or change the name of the football team from the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles".
Delmege has made a series of provocative claims in recent times that cannot be substantiated and are bordering on fairytales rather than fact.
The divide between the two owners has never been wider with sources suggesting they could never work together again.
The Daily Telegraph has found seven instances where Delmege could either not back up his comments, or has changed his mind on them.
see next post
Penn has clearly had enough and went on the attack in an explosive interview from Leeds, where his side is preparing for the World Club Challenge.
"We are bitterly disappointed that Max is running a smear campaign against us," Penn said.
"He is trying to make the Manly members think we don't have the best of interests of the club at heart. Nothing could be further from the truth.
"It seems they are trying to sabotage us. I just can't understand why Max would be misleading our fans.
"What is his motivation? Why is he doing it? If they get rid of us, who is going to come in?"
Penn once and for all laid to rest talk he wants to relocate Manly to Gosford.
"We have no plans for the Central Coast. We can't. It says so in the constitution," Penn said.
"We have said a number of times on the record that we don't want to go to the Central Coast.
"We have worked diligently to get Brookvale Oval revamped and we (the Penn family) are spending $15 million redeveloping Manly Leagues Club.
"Why would we contemplate going to Gosford when we are putting all our eggs in the Northern Beaches basket?
"The constitution states to relocate you would need 100 per cent of votes. That will never happen."
Delmege fired back last night at Penn's accusations.
"There's no smear campaign. I would never do that," Delmege said. "He (Penn) admitted to a couple of people that the Central Coast was in their plans. Ken Arthurson was one of them.
"I have always been honest and told the truth.
"It was the Penns who fired the first bullet. It was totally embarrassing and it has affected my business. Scott Penn couldn't guarantee's Manly future. I can.
"I don't want trouble. I want peace. I am worried for the fans and the players."
Arthurson has spoken to Penn about talk of moving Manly.
"He has assured me the club won't be relocating anywhere," Arthurson said.
Delmege has been accused of saying Hasler would be coach for "22 years" before the coach was only offered a one-year extension which included key performance indicators.
"Des will know when it's time to leave. He is there for as long as he wants to be," Delmege said last night.
Asked then about why he publicly backed Grant Mayer before the CEO was not offered a new deal, Delmege said: "He did have my full support until Scott threw down his resignation at the meeting."
The Manly football club board will issue a two-page letter to members calling for calm as the club's problems continue.
The letter comes after The Daily Telegraph revealed angry fans wanted to call an extraordinary general meeting to discuss with directors the current issues.
Members should receive the letter within 24 hours.
There are behind-the-scenes moves to have Mayer returned as CEO for next season.
Asked about his threat to sack Manly media manager Peter Peters, Delmege said: "I would be happy to sit down and have a chat. I don't want him going out on a bad note."
