Toast Eddie Tribute!

[PieNSauce]

Eddie has presided over an unequalled period of growth and sustained success for the club during his tenure and one can only wonder where the club would be without him. His enthusiasm for the club at great personal cost have seen jawdropping membership numbers and the introduction of the best facilities of any sporting club in the country. The coffers runneth over and the potential is there to add silverware in the next few years as a direct consequence of the management structures and innovations he has put in place. Our football department is the envy of the competition with our recruiting and sports science departments at the fore. Our coaching panel has been raided many times and yet we cover losses as though they were water off a duck's back. Stability in the face of change has become the norm with only the departure of Mick creating more than a tiny ripple and yet even that potential upheaval was handled with great aplomb almost as though nothing major has really happened.

In light of all of the above, I believe that while it may be a little premature, the day that Eddie decides to pull the pin (and no Collingwood person would be looking forward to it), will be a very sad day for the club. As such I am wondering if people have given any thought to how Eddie's achievements and dedication ought to be honoured at that time. Personally I like the idea of renaming the Westpac Centre to the Westpac Eddie Maguire Centre or even commissioning a statue as a token of the huge esteem in which he is held at Collingwood.

Do others share my view or am I being over the top? I know that much of my opinion is born out of having endured the dark years when we were close to bankrupt and as I said elsewhere, even suffering the indignity of proposals within the club to remove the words "Oh the premiership's a cakewalk" from our club song as though those words somehow affected our ability to win premierships. I cried in '70 and again in '77 amongst others. I was devastated in '02 and '03 when we were cruelly robbed of 2 premierships by a system which allowed one club concessions which will forever see descriptions of those premiers preceeded with an asterisk. In recent years I have seen Collingwood supporters walk tall and speak with unrestrained pride about our amazing club and I can't help but want to recognise the incredible and selfless job that Eddie has done in restoring us to our rightful place.

Not an issue to be dealt with in the near future we would hope, but one which does bear a little thought in preparation for that sad eventuality.

Over to the faithful...

Floreat Pica!

 

[76woodenspooners]

I met Eddie briefly in the early 90's when he was a little known channel 10 sports reporter. To be honest, I thought he was a bit of a knob at the time. I was a little bemused when some years later he became president of my footy club.

But I think he really has done a great job since. He has been great for the club. He hasn't been without his stuff ups, but anybody is entitled to that as long as they learn from them, take responsibility, and are able to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

And I'm sure that in those quiet hours when the cameras are packed away, Eddie would be deeply grateful for what Collingwood has given him. Not only has it provided the privilege to serve, but it has given him part of a platform that has led to his fame and success. Sure, it's not a paid gig, but being president of a footy club opens doors and provides introductions. It provides opportunities, and Eddie has taken those opportunities with both hands and good on him for doing so. His success is our success.

As for honouring him in some way, well, there is a saying that goes "Don't praise the day until it's over". I think it is apt for footy club presidents for a few reasons.

Firstly, Eddie needs to remain accountable and cannot be allowed to take his role for granted. For as long as he's in the role he needs to earn the privilege. There cannot be any temptation for hubris. Our footy club deserves the best president at all times. And it would be a bad idea if strong, capable Presidential candidates were put off from even running because the cult status of the incumbent.

Secondly, things can always go bad. Look at Melbourne Storm as an example - best administrators in the comp by a long way until it was revealed that they were running two ledgers. Now I'm not accusing Eddie of anything untoward. I'm just suggesting that it's prudent to wait until his tenure is over before thinking about an appropriate way to honour him.

Anyway, today he is doing a great job, and may he continue to do so long into the future.

 

[PieNSauce]

Sorry but I strongly disagree with your assessment. Eddie took a club in dire financial trouble and has worked tirelessly ever since to resurrect its fortunes. His first task was to turn around the financial side of the club and he achieved this fairly quickly through pure hard work. He then set about rebuilding the football side of the club with the recruitment of some of the best football minds in the country and through innovations in sports science and recruitment. All of this was done without significant financial gain. To suggest that his status was enhanced by being the president of a financial basket case is an absolute nonsense. There may be some truth in it since the club's fortunes were turned around but I think it is ignorance to suggest that he has not earned whatever he gets incidentally as a consequence of the club's profile for which he is largely responsible.

 

[Cousin of Daicos]

I guess you could say...he's shpeshal?

 

[Jelly Bean]

I guess you could say...he's shpeshal?

Do you rate Eddie's contribution Ed? He has only delivered one premiership, not the three that he "should" have... Are you disrespecting the club by celebrating Ed's contribution to date?

In my opinion, Ed will go down as possibly the club's best ever president, and I think he still has a long way to go in his position. He clearly loves the role (e.g. held on to it after relocating to Sydney). I absolutely applaud what he has done for the club. He does sometimes commit clangers (e.g. the recent swipe and Jack Anthony), but all in all he has been outstanding.

 

[Cousin of Daicos]

Do you rate Eddie's contribution Ed? He has only delivered one premiership, not the three that he "should" have... Are you disrespecting the club by celebrating Ed's contribution to date?

In my opinion, Ed will go down as possibly the club's best ever president, and I think he still has a long way to go in his position. He clearly loves the role (e.g. held on to it after relocating to Sydney). I absolutely applaud what he has done for the club. He does sometimes commit clangers (e.g. the recent swipe and Jack Anthony), but all in all he has been outstanding.

He has been outstanding. At what point did I say he hadn't?

I love McGuire. I thought my post was a little more obvious than it clearly was.

But since you've decided to be a smart ass, Ed doesn't have the direct impact on the results of the playing group a coach does. Ed can only do what he deems to be best for the club. At the time, getting Mick Malthouse was seen as the best thing for our club (Pagan would have been better), and Eddie put in place all the tools physically possible to allow Mick to get the best results.

Not only did Eddie provide the tools, he also gave Mick what was essentially complete control of the football department, and even the AFl chipped in with Collingwood having so many top draft picks those first few years. Still took 11 years for 1 flag. If you're happy with that, then awesome for you, I'd love to be so easily pleased. But I'm not.

Can't complain about anything Eddie has done. I'm dreading the day he calls it quits, and my only hope is that he has a suitable replacement being trained up, or waiting in the wings. Please don't say Craig Kelly, because he isn't it.

 

[PieNSauce]

Premierships are not created in the board room because they are so much of a lottery no matter what you do or how good you are. 2011 is testament to that. The same however cannot be said of opportunities to win premierships and on that front Eddie has delivered in spades. The facilities and resources available to the football department are unrivalled by any other club in the competition and only financial stability has allowed that. His occasional public gaffes can be a bit annoying and occasionally a little embarrassing but from where I'm sitting so often they are very well planned and timed to either promote the club or protect others from unwanted attention. I see precious little reason why Collingwood supporters would not universally see Eddie as the messiah given his achievements over the years.

 

[Swooop]

Love Eddie and what he's done for the club is beyond what I can put Into words IMHO.

 

[pies1958]

Praise should be given where praise is due.

Eddie McGuire as President of the Collingwood Football Club = Outstanding

 

[PieNSauce]

Love Eddie and what he's done for the club is beyond what I can put Into words IMHO.

I don't think I'll get too much disagreement on this one either. this thread came about after thinking about all the Eddie bashing that goes on in the media and on the main board here and reflecting on what his hard work has meant to this club. To all the Eddie bashers out there all I can say is **** you! You should be so lucky to have a man of half his calibre!

 

[Jelly Bean]

He has been outstanding. At what point did I say he hadn't?

I love McGuire. I thought my post was a little more obvious than it clearly was.

.

I agree, that 'Eddie-love' was clear from your post. I was just providing you with the opportunity to straighten out the perception of inconsistency with your disdain for MM in another thread 'only' giving us one flag in his tenure, while Eddie has reigned over largely the same period.

 

[Cousin of Daicos]

I agree, that 'Eddie-love' was clear from your post. I was just providing you with the opportunity to straighten out the perception of inconsistency with your disdain for MM in another thread 'only' giving us one flag in his tenure, while Eddie has reigned over largely the same period.

As I said, a coach has direct control over football results.

A president doesn't. A president helsp provide the best opportunity to get the best result, which Ed has done. He's behaved appropriately, stood by his man even once he realised a mistake was made in appointing him. Gave him an extra 2 years on his tenure as a gesture of goodwill, when most (see: ALL) other coaches would have been flat out sacked, which then gave the new coach ample time to prepare.

Like I said, couldn't have done it better.

 

[pies1958]

As I said, a coach has direct control over football results.

A president doesn't. A president helsp provide the best opportunity to get the best result, which Ed has done. He's behaved appropriately, stood by his man even once he realised a mistake was made in appointing him. Gave him an extra 2 years on his tenure as a gesture of goodwill, when most (see: ALL) other coaches would have been flat out sacked, which then gave the new coach ample time to prepare.

Like I said, couldn't have done it better.

I like where you are coming from but I wonder whether you could win a premiership with an average President.

 

[RuFiO]

He's no James Brayshaw, that's for sure.

 

[Cousin of Daicos]

I like where you are coming from but I wonder whether you could win a premiership with an average President.

Of course not.

But the president, as I said, doesn't have a direct imact. He puts the plan in place, he has the vision, and implements what he feels the club needs to get the job done.

In that sense, the only misstep I personally see from Ed, was getting Mick instead of Pagan.

Pagan got flags at an under resourced, shit hole club through shrewed drafting and a great gameplan to go with the amazing players he got at the club.

Mick got flags coaching the Western Australian state team who was the richest in the AFL at the time.

I'd take the first coach thanks.

 

[dansa]

Clearly the most important person at Collingwood in my 32 years of following.

Only behind Mc Hale and Rose, and closing.

 

[mattys123]

I love Ed as much as the next person, but please, a tribute, really?

He has done a great job, but even Ed himself would say it has been a privilege to be the Collingwood President and that he needs no honours bestowed upon him.

The players are the ones who win us our flags, and yes, having a strong administration behind them helps, but I don't go to the footy on the weekend to watch Eddie McGuire.

I love what he's done for the club, but please, a tribute, really?

 

[PieNSauce]

I love Ed as much as the next person, but please, a tribute, really?

He has done a great job, but even Ed himself would say it has been a privilege to be the Collingwood President and that he needs no honours bestowed upon him.

The players are the ones who win us our flags, and yes, having a strong administration behind them helps, but I don't go to the footy on the weekend to watch Eddie McGuire.

I love what he's done for the club, but please, a tribute, really?

Yep, a tribute absolutely! I accept that some will disagree but would think that they would be in the minority. In any case, all have a right to their opinions but in my 52 years I can recall no single person who has done as much for the Collingwood football club and to suggest that it is he who is priviledged to me smacks of a lack of respect.

 

[Peter Sidorkiewicz]

Not giving someone a tribute who lost over $10m of the members money signing off on dodgy hotel deals.
He needs to be accountable for this fiasco not pass the buck to Arocca.

 

[Jelly Bean]

Not giving someone a tribute who lost over $10m of the members money signing off on dodgy hotel deals.
He needs to be accountable for this fiasco not pass the buck to Arocca.

It is not the member's money, it is the club's money. The members have no claim on it at all. We (members) are not like shareholders in a corporation.

 

[Jelly Bean]

I love Ed as much as the next person, but please, a tribute, really?

He has done a great job, but even Ed himself would say it has been a privilege to be the Collingwood President and that he needs no honours bestowed upon him.

I daresay Bob Rose would give the same response if asked. Humility shouldn't cost these guys honours.

 

[Markfs]

Not giving someone a tribute who lost over $10m of the members money signing off on dodgy hotel deals.
He needs to be accountable for this fiasco not pass the buck to Arocca.

"dodgy"? nice word.... I got another one for you ...gutless

 

[76woodenspooners]

Sorry but I strongly disagree with your assessment.

I disagree, I think we're mostly agreeing.

Eddie took a club in dire financial trouble and has worked tirelessly ever since to resurrect its fortunes.

Agreed.

His first task was to turn around the financial side of the club and he achieved this fairly quickly through pure hard work.

Yep, absolutely agreed.

He then set about rebuilding the football side of the club with the recruitment of some of the best football minds in the country and through innovations in sports science and recruitment.

Agreed.

All of this was done without significant financial gain.

True. It was done without any direct financial gain at all. The president's office is an unpaid gig.

To suggest that his status was enhanced by being the president of a financial basket case is an absolute nonsense.

Sure, being the president of a financial basket case doesn't specifically enhance one's reputation. But being the president of a storied football club does. For example, the Prime Minister of Australia was pretending to be a Collingwood supporter around that time. Pretty sure that Eddie would have got some opportunity to rub shoulders with the PM because of that. Now I'm not saying that rubbing shoulders with the PM guarantees success - no more than rubbing shoulders with Lara Bingle would guarantee a wild night of pashionate uninhibited sex. The introduction creates the opportunity. Most people don't take their opportunities. Eddie is someone who does. And good on him for doing so.

There may be some truth in it since the club's fortunes were turned around but I think it is ignorance to suggest that he has not earned whatever he gets incidentally as a consequence of the club's profile for which he is largely responsible.

Oh, I agree, he has earned whatever he gets incidentally. I wasn't suggesting that he is undeserving of the perks at all.

What I was suggesting is

(1) Eddie does derive some indirect benefits from the role (which he is totally deserving of), and ...

(2) ... we should wait until his tenure has ended before deciding an appropriate honour.

 

[Greening Magic]

Of course not.

But the president, as I said, doesn't have a direct imact. He puts the plan in place, he has the vision, and implements what he feels the club needs to get the job done.

In that sense, the only misstep I personally see from Ed, was getting Mick instead of Pagan.

Pagan got flags at an under resourced, shit hole club through shrewed drafting and a great gameplan to go with the amazing players he got at the club.

Mick got flags coaching the Western Australian state team who was the richest in the AFL at the time.

I'd take the first coach thanks.

Honestly this is horsesh1t.

Quite a number of stars that Pagan fostered came thru the Under 19 system and he deserves full credit as he coached so many of them. But you do realise that the Under 19's was replaced by the TAC Cup in 1992.

What amazing players did MM have to work with in 02 & 03?

Did he have Carey?

Amazing coaching effort to get these ordinary teams in 2 GF's and nearly pinch 1 against the likes of Brisbanes midfield (3 brownlow medalists and Lappin), Brown & Lynch up forward and Michaels & Lepper as the key backs. Should we go through the support cast as well like the Scott brothers?

MM's coaching efforts in these 2 years alone should be enough for u to realise how good a coach he was.
The fact that you don't is an indictment on you.

Didn't want to reply to you, but you have no problem spouting your views.

*Am loving Bucks as well.

 

[Swooop]

Great post 76ws, the only part i may think differently about is that we or anyone else, should wait till the end of his tenure.

Personally, I'm very happy to pay tribute to Eddie at this stage - I think as a general thing the balance between tributes and criticism is way too heavily weighted the other way.

Eddie has been criticised ++ over the years, look no further than the pub deal, or many other things that don't even deserve being listed.

Our club was a basket case before Eddie arrived. If he left at the end of the week, the Club would be completely fine, some may even suggest he'd barely be missed if say a Craig Kelly or whoever took over, which as far as I'm concerned, just shows what an amazing job Eddie has done to create a free-standing, successful empire that is now Collingwood.