In a statement,the board unanimously rejected Browne’s call,saying the coup was being driven by personal ambition and they would remain united.
“Not one,let alone four,of the current board is prepared to step aside to allow a boardroom coup as proposed by Jeff Browne to proceed,” the statement from Collingwood’s seven board members read.
“A coup is not warranted,it has not been justified and cannot be justified. Nor is it in step with good governance or the will of members to agree to the demands of an individual member wanting only to be president.
“In any case,there is no vision,no ticket,no compelling strategy for you to consider or for us to step aside for. How could any board entertain a request to step aside without first knowing these things?
“Notwithstanding this position we are available to meet Jeff to establish whether,in the best interests of the club,a divisive and distracting campaign can be avoided.”
The board’s preparedness to meet Browne is driven by its desire to avoid an EGM,which could be called after memberDavid Hatley gathered enough signatures to request a spill. The president Korda and former player and board member Paul Licuria have already spoken with Browne in separate meetings.