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Manly-Warringah FC board critical of Geoff Toovey's sacking

Geoff Toovey is at the centre of the issues at Manly (AAP Image/Paul Miller)
28th July, 2015
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Today, the worst kept secret in rugby league was let loose in the public sphere – Geoff Toovey won’t be coaching Manly next year, and Trent Barrett will step in.

But it is guaranteed to get more interesting when the club releases a statement announcing the change, then the Manly-Warringah Football Club’s board releases a statement no more than a couple of hours later condemning to move as “bewildering” and lacking respect.

There is no doubt that Geoff Toovey is a Manly Sea Eagles club legend. It seems like the board was behind him too, and that the consistent rumours of off-field issues at the club plenty of weight.

Of course, there are two entities at play here – the NRL club board and the Manly-Warringah Rugby League Football Club board. This statement is from the latter, who own 14 per cent of the NRL club.

But that doesn’t change the fact that there are serious tensions around the club at the moment, ant it’s being played out in a uniquely public way.

Read what they had to say below:

Full statement from the Manly-Warringah Football Club board

It’s a sad day when an icon of our great Club – which next year celebrates its 70th year in the competition – is told he is unwanted as the Coach despite being under contract until the end of 2016.

It is bewildering to anyone who follows the game that a Coach who during his tenure has taken his team to every final, including a Grand Final, and currently sits just two wins outside the top eight should be treated in this manner.

His position as Coach was undermined even before the Season began and continued relentlessly throughout the entire 2015 season. He has not been treated with the respect he has earned and deserves.

Geoff Toovey is a Life Member of the Manly-Warringah Rugby League Football Club.

His service and loyalty to our Club, including his time as Coach, speaks for itself.

As a player:

· 286 first grade games, 1988-2001

· Club Captain, 1993-2001

· Clive Churchill medal winner, 1996

· Australian Captain, 1996

· NSW State of Origin representative, 1990-2000

As Coach

· 2012 – Preliminary Final

· 2013 – Grand Final

· 2014 – Semi Final

Despite today’s announcement, Geoff Toovey will always remain an icon of our Club.

Board members:

Bob Stevenson
Bob Reilly
Cliff Lyons
Mal Cochrane
Darrell Williams
Chris Jones
Steve Sapsford

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