gregstar
Referee
- Messages
- 20,464
Thompson for axe
By PHIL ROTHFIELD
November 03, 2005
ST George Illawarra last night took the first legal steps towards sacking forward Lance Thompson by sending the long-serving player a letter asking him to show cause why he should not be dismissed for misconduct.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal that one of the grounds for dismissal was a series of threatening text messages Thompson sent to teammate Justin Poore before the semi-final against the Wests Tigers in September.
Dragons CEO Peter Doust sent the letter to Thompson and his manager Khoder Nasser, demanding he appear before the club's board of directors in two weeks.
Doust spent several hours on Monday with the club's lawyers before briefing the Dragons board and getting the go-ahead to take the strongest disciplinary action.
Both Doust and Dragons coach Nathan Brown refused to comment on the development last night but a club source confirmed the letter detailed cases of alleged misbehaviour in recent months. Among them are:
That he sent threatening text messages to teammate Poore before the Wests Tigers semi-final.
Officials claim Poore was so upset over the messages that he played his worst game of the season.
That he has publicly criticised the club, officials and the coach for trying to sack him when Doust claimed he only wanted to sit down and discuss his future because of salary cap problems for next season.
Officials believe that while there is a group of supporters against the move to sack such a long-standing player, they have solid backing from players.
Not one of the Dragons players attended a supporters function last Saturday night in Hurstville where Thompson was honoured with an award for playing his 200th game this year.
A few players from other clubs, including Sonny Bill Williams, did attend.
On Saturday night Thompson told the gathering: "The hardest thing will be not being able to say goodbye to my fans one last time.
"A lot of great players have had the chance to leave with dignity and say farewell to their fans before they retire.
"If I don't play for Saints again, it will be hard to leave like this."
Thompson said last night he had not yet received the letter from the club.
"I'm not sure what I'm doing at the moment. My manager is overseas.
"I'll get some legal advice and talk to everyone."
Thompson has a long history of disciplinary problems at the club.
He once turned up drunk for a training session on his birthday and had to be escorted from the ground by captain Trent Barrett .
He was involved in a fight with former teammate Andrew Hart in the St George Leagues Club foyer.
Thompson's current situation turned ugly at the Dragons player awards night at Sydney's Town Hall three weeks ago when he stormed out of the function before Doust was to present him with an award for his 200th game. He claimed he was told by an official at the function that he would not be at the club next season.
edit: source: http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story/0,20281,17123519-5001023,00.html
By PHIL ROTHFIELD
November 03, 2005
ST George Illawarra last night took the first legal steps towards sacking forward Lance Thompson by sending the long-serving player a letter asking him to show cause why he should not be dismissed for misconduct.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal that one of the grounds for dismissal was a series of threatening text messages Thompson sent to teammate Justin Poore before the semi-final against the Wests Tigers in September.
Dragons CEO Peter Doust sent the letter to Thompson and his manager Khoder Nasser, demanding he appear before the club's board of directors in two weeks.
Doust spent several hours on Monday with the club's lawyers before briefing the Dragons board and getting the go-ahead to take the strongest disciplinary action.
Both Doust and Dragons coach Nathan Brown refused to comment on the development last night but a club source confirmed the letter detailed cases of alleged misbehaviour in recent months. Among them are:
That he sent threatening text messages to teammate Poore before the Wests Tigers semi-final.
Officials claim Poore was so upset over the messages that he played his worst game of the season.
That he has publicly criticised the club, officials and the coach for trying to sack him when Doust claimed he only wanted to sit down and discuss his future because of salary cap problems for next season.
Officials believe that while there is a group of supporters against the move to sack such a long-standing player, they have solid backing from players.
Not one of the Dragons players attended a supporters function last Saturday night in Hurstville where Thompson was honoured with an award for playing his 200th game this year.
A few players from other clubs, including Sonny Bill Williams, did attend.
On Saturday night Thompson told the gathering: "The hardest thing will be not being able to say goodbye to my fans one last time.
"A lot of great players have had the chance to leave with dignity and say farewell to their fans before they retire.
"If I don't play for Saints again, it will be hard to leave like this."
Thompson said last night he had not yet received the letter from the club.
"I'm not sure what I'm doing at the moment. My manager is overseas.
"I'll get some legal advice and talk to everyone."
Thompson has a long history of disciplinary problems at the club.
He once turned up drunk for a training session on his birthday and had to be escorted from the ground by captain Trent Barrett .
He was involved in a fight with former teammate Andrew Hart in the St George Leagues Club foyer.
Thompson's current situation turned ugly at the Dragons player awards night at Sydney's Town Hall three weeks ago when he stormed out of the function before Doust was to present him with an award for his 200th game. He claimed he was told by an official at the function that he would not be at the club next season.
edit: source: http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story/0,20281,17123519-5001023,00.html