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It was inevitable. The removal of Nathan Tinkler from the Newcastle Jets, and indeed football in Australia, was five years in the making.
Since taking over ownership of the A-League club in September 2010, the former mining magnate steered the organisation from one crisis to another. Originally, the cracks were concealed by promises of endless riches which would lead to an unprecedented era of success.
At the time, Football Federation Australia did the right thing in offering their newest club owner full support, which added to the veneer of lustre in the Hunter.
However, soon enough, it became evident that all was not as it appeared when it came to Tinkler and his businesses. Murmurs of discontent began to rise in volume across the region as bills went unpaid and good people were disrespected.
In December 2012, eight months after Tinkler incorrectly attempted to hand back his A-League licence to FFA, the Australian Tax Office made its first move in this emerging saga. Court documents were filed to wind up Hunter Sports Group, Tinkler’s company which owned the Jets and the Newcastle Knights.
Less than 18 months later, he relinquished control of his beloved NRL club.
This week, he departed professional sport, possibly for good.
Tinkler’s tale is one of talk backed up only by hubris. In the competitive world of professional sport, the ability to talk a good game is seen as important. But it’s not nearly as crucial as having the ability, vision and humility to bring positive actions into play.
There have been plenty of people who have been hurt along the way, not least the loyal fans of the Jets, who have seen their once proud club fail to make the finals for the past five seasons. The off-field dramas surrounding Tinkler and his business dealings only compounded this problem.
Now that Tinkler is out of the picture, necessary talk about the future of the club has begun, and the fans must – and will under the guidance of FFA – have their voices heard. There are good people working to ensure the short-term future of the Jets will be steady.
In the long-term, Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson may link up with a consortium to take over ownership. By no means a fait accompli, it does seem the most likely scenario to unfold, and the diversification of investment could see the Jets avoid repeat misfortune.
But, whatever happens, the past five years should not be forgotten – nor the five before that, or the 105 further back. When a new regime takes over, as Hunter Sports Group did in Newcastle not so long ago, there is a tendency to sweep away the past.
It would be a shame if that were to happen this time around.
There are lessons to be learned, small memories to be enjoyed, and a journey to be reflected upon. Though Tinkler may be remembered for his failed business ventures and his poor handling of delicate situations, therein lies one positive from his downfall.
Surely never again will football club stakeholders be so easily led. Talk without action couldn’t possibly take place without greater analysis in future. And when his organisations did get it right, there forms part of a case study on what should be done.
Relief that Nathan Tinkler is now gone is understandable, but his exit can pave the way to so much more if the warning of his demise is heeded.
Like it or not, this period forms part of the Hunter’s deep football history. May the region, and the game, be all the better for it.
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