SA Footy

MEDIA RELEASE
28 May 2008
STATEMENT FROM WEST ADELAIDE FOOTBALL CLUB INC AND DOUG THOMAS
The West Adelaide Football Club and Doug Thomas are pleased to announce that
following protracted negotiations a resolution to the mutual satisfaction of the Club and
Doug has finally been reached in the ongoing dispute relating to Doug s departure from
the Club as the General Manager, after many years of service to both the West
Adelaide Football Club and the West Adelaide Footballers Club.
All parties are now pleased to confirm that they are satisfied with the outcome, which
resolved the dispute and kept the matter out of the courts, which was always the Clubs
and Doug s wish for the good of the Club and sport in general.
It is with regret that this dispute has taken so long to resolve but the Club acknowledges
that they were trying times for Doug, in particular, considering his poor health during this
period. The Club is hopeful that the bringing of this matter to its finality will enable Doug
to enjoy his future years of retirement and Doug wishes the Club all the best for the
future.
The West Adelaide Football Club wishes to thank Doug for his contribution as a player,
coach, State representative, Club and SANFL Life Member, West Adelaide Hall of
Fame Member and the longest serving General Manager in the history of the Club. His
lifetime involvement has made him a respected legend at West Adelaide.
The Club acknowledges the enormous commitment by Doug to the Club and to Football
in general over a lifetime.
Both the Club and Doug have agreed that they will make no further comment in relation
to the issues surrounding this matter.
Paul D Sperling Doug Thomas
President
West Adelaide Football Club

The DEVORSE has finally ended...

Move on DOUG.

A Centrals Membership Awaits...

Good luck to him, glad to hear that it was kept out of the courts, hopefully both can move on and people can welcome him back at the club and recognise the many good things that he did for the club.

A very dignified press release.

i wonder if doug wishes he moved & took the money from glenelg in the late 60's....he could still be in charge of us

seriously it is about time this got settled as the only winners in a court case is the lawyers

Promise of a marketing job?

I'm glad West have finally come to their senses & finally resolved this on going dispute with the man that has kept this club afloat for his entire career.
Why has it taken so long? Surely his long time devotion & love for his club has proved his worth, it should never have taken this long, i believe his health has suffered enough throughout this dilemma & West Adelaide never took that into account throughout this whole period- shame on you.
I hope he's feeling alot better than he has been now that this is off his mind.
As much as he had his detractors, he has his admirers & what he's done for football inparticular for the West Adelaide F\C should never be forgotten, the next induction to the HALL OF FAME, Doug Thomas.

What do you mean 'West came to their senses'; 'West never took his health into account'? He was suing the club not the other way around.
And fear not, we won't forget his time at the club.

No Mercy -- you have it a bit back to front.

My understanding is that the club has been waiting for a response from Doug for a considerable time -- not Doug waiting for the club --- the delay was of his making.

Or are you fishing.

1st of all nickname, If they took his health into account then they would have finalised earlier but they didn't, West vertually wanted to give him f&*$ all, yes he was suing them for what he should of got when he left, it was his entitlements owing.
Oldfella, responses were going back & forth & it should never have come to that. Doug proved his worth & was entitled to long service & much more, so get your facts right as i know mine are.

Yes Doug was at the club for many years and every one appreciated his efforts. Unfortunately the club was becoming stagnant and not moving forward as recent results show on and off the field. Changes had to be made and have been made. What goe's on behind the scenes regarding the dispute between Doug and the club is and should remain confidential.
All has been settled and lets move on. We wish Doug well for the future and hope he does likewise for the club.
Let's lay this issue to rest.

NO-MERCY wrote:1st of all nickname, If they took his health into account then they would have finalised earlier but they didn't, West vertually wanted to give him f&*$ all, yes he was suing them for what he should of got when he left, it was his entitlements owing.
Oldfella, responses were going back & forth & it should never have come to that. Doug proved his worth & was entitled to long service & much more, so get your facts right as i know mine are.

LMFAO no mercy there are alot of West Adelaide supporters who know what doug was really like and First Blood has most of it correct. IMO Doug should have left after the 1991 Grand Final but he held on and stayed. The Club were trying to settle with Doug. I am glad it is all over. Thank you Doug for the club that you left us with and all the best and get well soon.

NO-MERCY wrote:1st of all nickname, If they took his health into account then they would have finalised earlier but they didn't, West vertually wanted to give him f&*$ all, yes he was suing them for what he should of got when he left, it was his entitlements owing.
Oldfella, responses were going back & forth & it should never have come to that. Doug proved his worth & was entitled to long service & much more, so get your facts right as i know mine are.

So the onus to settle was only on one party, the party that wasn't bringing the action? Give me a break.
The PR unit is still in full swing.

I work with a former Board member & Doug supporter...

he said that the way that Doug was treated over this was "appaulling"

Apparently, there was a succession plan in place & agreed to... Doug was to do 1 more year, then 'bow out' gracefully.

His contract was terminated 2 days later by the 'new management'.. he agreed but wanted $100k... they offered $50k, then changed the offer to $20k... he told them to 'jam it'.

People resigned from the club & court case ensued...

Any comments???

LoudEagleHooligan wrote:I work with a former Board member & Doug supporter...

he said that the way that Doug was treated over this was "appaulling"

Apparently, there was a succession plan in place & agreed to... Doug was to do 1 more year, then 'bow out' gracefully.

His contract was terminated 2 days later by the 'new management'.. he agreed but wanted $100k... they offered $50k, then changed the offer to $20k... he told them to 'jam it'.

People resigned from the club & court case ensued...

Any comments???

Yes. Your work colleague will never tell you anything.

Again.

How so? Was common knowledge I was told

LoudEagleHooligan wrote:How so? Was common knowledge I was told

Very much so LEH.

LoudEagleHooligan wrote:I work with a former Board member & Doug supporter...

he said that the way that Doug was treated over this was "appaulling"

Apparently, there was a succession plan in place & agreed to... Doug was to do 1 more year, then 'bow out' gracefully.

His contract was terminated 2 days later by the 'new management'.. he agreed but wanted $100k... they offered $50k, then changed the offer to $20k... he told them to 'jam it'.

People resigned from the club & court case ensued...

Any comments???

Your an idiot if you believe that

Hi Coorong! Imagine you popping in when we talk about Doug!

LoudEagleHooligan wrote:I work with a former Board member & Doug supporter...

he said that the way that Doug was treated over this was "appaulling"

Apparently, there was a succession plan in place & agreed to... Doug was to do 1 more year, then 'bow out' gracefully.

His contract was terminated 2 days later by the 'new management'.. he agreed but wanted $100k... they offered $50k, then changed the offer to $20k... he told them to 'jam it'.

People resigned from the club & court case ensued...

Any comments???

i notice that you say a doug supporter
well what else would a doug supporter say