Searle quits as Titans boss
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Michael Searle has stepped down as managing director of the besieged Gold Coast Titans NRL club, currently battling its way out of debts reportedly in excess of $20 million dollars.
A statement released by the Titans organisation on Thursday night confirmed Searle would hand over control as the club undergoes a major administration revamp.
Former iSelect marketing executive David May, the man who negotiated a recent lucrative sponsorship deal with the Titans, will be appointed to head up the new administrative team.
Searle, though, will not sever ties with the club he worked tirelessly to get into the NRL competition before running up some disturbing debts which have resulted in the sale of their headquarter at Robina to pay off creditors.
Searle will stay on as executive director of football, allowing him to continue with a number of community programs he had already implemented.
The Titans will confirm their new investors on Friday.
May has been associated with the Titans in a sponsorship capacity since 2006 when he was employed by the club’s first backer, Jetstar.
“My aim is to provide the best possible platform for the club to achieve on-field success,” said May in the statement released by the club.
“This club, the community and all our wonderful supporters deserve something great from the Titans and I will be giving absolutely everything I have to make that happen.”
Searle said he was thrilled to be able to continue overseeing the community programs: “I love the game of rugby league but, equally, I love the positive impact it has on young men and women.
“This club is close to achieving great things on and off the field, at levels we have not experienced before.”
© AAP 2013The Crowd Says (9) | Page 1 of Comments
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July 27th 2012 @ 9:16am
Australian Rules said | July 27th 2012 @ 9:16am | Report comment
Bout time. Searle should have stepped down months ago…and he shouldn’t have a role in the club going forward.
Has he explained the forged signature on the CoE building safety inspection yet?
July 27th 2012 @ 11:37am
NF said | July 27th 2012 @ 11:37am | Report comment
The COE was a complete mistake it was unnecessary and unneeded it was way over the Titan’s head yet Searle went over the excess. Now AR I’m sure you loving this predicament ain’t you.
July 28th 2012 @ 8:11am
Australian Rules said | July 28th 2012 @ 8:11am | Report comment
I’m not loving any of it…and I’ve got mates who are still owed money by the Titans. This arrogant dill put league itself on the Goldie at risk, which is a disgrace.
July 27th 2012 @ 12:57pm
Matt said | July 27th 2012 @ 12:57pm | Report comment
Australian Rules- the investifgation about the CoE building safety inspection does not involve Searle, this function is part of the builders requirement and ownership of the complex has nothing to do with it…………just a uninformed cheap shot from yourself!
July 28th 2012 @ 8:12am
Australian Rules said | July 28th 2012 @ 8:12am | Report comment
Searle was involved in every single aspect of the Titans, he made sure of it.
July 30th 2012 @ 10:57am
Crosscoder said | July 30th 2012 @ 10:57am | Report comment
Yes and he was involved in getting the club in the NRL,and indeed many of the organisations that have assisted the community throughout the GC.That has been recognised by locals and indeed the NRL and ARLC.that is why he will continue to work in that field.
He made sure of it!! If you make a decision to get a team in the NRL and decide on a COE of such magnitude ,you need to be involved in every aspect..As if that’s a scoop.He was born and bred in the area.
And maybe your mates will still in the end receive money owed provided of course it was all above board.There also appears to be a little skullduggery by outsiders.
.
His biggest mistake was the COE,good in theory but bad in practice just as the downturn on they GC hit.Maybe should have asked for some Govt funding on the COE, as other sports have done.
Now the new mob have taken over(guaranateeing the long term future) some of the doomsayers from the AFL cheer squad,have gone underground.As if that’s a surprise.
.
July 30th 2012 @ 4:09pm
Australian Rules said | July 30th 2012 @ 4:09pm | Report comment
You passion for league is admirable CC, but I never thought you’d be an apologist for Michael Searle.
He has single-handedly put the code at risk on the goldy. Your support of him is not just blind loyaty, its delusional mate.
July 30th 2012 @ 4:38pm
Crosscoder said | July 30th 2012 @ 4:38pm | Report comment
Not an apologist,just know the groundwork involved and indeed the constructive things done.I have stated my position before,and as you spend a fair whack of time on rl threads,you should have noticed.I used to watch rl at Seagulls and have a reasonable inkling of waht goes on there.
Everyone on this planet makes mistakes,some big ones,He made a big one.And yes people suffered.That happens at times .I have had my fingers burnt on the odd occasion by bad investment decisions.
If the COE had come off,he would have been the greatest thing since sliced bread..
If you believe he worked on the COE to do damage with local business in mind,that defies logic.
..It certainly was not a good look for the code,and indeed affected his standing on the GC.
And to keep you up to speed it wasn’t the code that was at risk on the GC according to Gallop,just the club.The ARLC have stated they were ready to put in a new board,
Rugby league at grassroots level has been strong on the GC for a long time before the Titans arrival,I know it’s hard for you to grasp.
Blind loyalty comment, is pure and utter BS.
July 28th 2012 @ 3:07pm
oikee said | July 28th 2012 @ 3:07pm | Report comment
A dog is a dog, Searle was hopeless, a lemon.
Good blokes are not wanted to run rugby league, we need leaders.
Rugby league clubs have been run like basket cases. No care, no thought, just run into the ground.
Manly, Parramatta, Penrith Titans Roosters, all run into the gorund. Lets call a spade a spade.
Stop sticking up for these dongers running our clubs like busteds.