The Scarecrow
21 Aug 2004, 16:52
From The Examiner Reporter By Terry Morris
Although the amalgamation of the Devonport and East Devonport football clubs was called off earlier this week, Swans' club record holder David Mullett has warned that his club has a lot of hard work to do to ensure its future.
Mullett played 259 games with East Devonport, played in the last premiership in 1988, is a life member at Girdlestone Park, and his son Daniel is a senior player.
"Finding administrators and volunteers to help run the club is just as important as getting a coach with a high profile if the club is to survive," he said.
"It is very important that people understand the amount of hard work from many people over many years that has gone into making East Devonport the great and proud club that it is.
"In respect to onfield success in these very difficult times, people must stay committed to the future viability of the club.
"East Devonport over its history has been a source of great pleasure and memories for many people and it is essential that it not be allowed to drift further into a downward spiral until there is nothing left and to allow the Devonport City Council to get its desired result by default.
"If the club is unable to sustain itself in the NTFL, then certainly joining a lesser competition will only ultimately hasten its complete demise and therefore would not be an option.
"The merger with Devonport should only be an option if we are unable to sustain our future in the NTFL and we are able to have any realistic merger conditions completely satisfied.
"The immediate future of the club is going to be dependent on providing answers to some very pertinent questions."
Although the amalgamation of the Devonport and East Devonport football clubs was called off earlier this week, Swans' club record holder David Mullett has warned that his club has a lot of hard work to do to ensure its future.
Mullett played 259 games with East Devonport, played in the last premiership in 1988, is a life member at Girdlestone Park, and his son Daniel is a senior player.
"Finding administrators and volunteers to help run the club is just as important as getting a coach with a high profile if the club is to survive," he said.
"It is very important that people understand the amount of hard work from many people over many years that has gone into making East Devonport the great and proud club that it is.
"In respect to onfield success in these very difficult times, people must stay committed to the future viability of the club.
"East Devonport over its history has been a source of great pleasure and memories for many people and it is essential that it not be allowed to drift further into a downward spiral until there is nothing left and to allow the Devonport City Council to get its desired result by default.
"If the club is unable to sustain itself in the NTFL, then certainly joining a lesser competition will only ultimately hasten its complete demise and therefore would not be an option.
"The merger with Devonport should only be an option if we are unable to sustain our future in the NTFL and we are able to have any realistic merger conditions completely satisfied.
"The immediate future of the club is going to be dependent on providing answers to some very pertinent questions."