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Haven chairman Tom Todd
To contact Club officials RIP GedDecember 8 2020 October
2011 April
2009 January 2009-New Board takes the Helm To
rousing applause an extraordinary general meeting of Whitehaven RL Club
welcomed a new Board led by cigar chewing US businessman Dick Raaz.
Mr Raaz who brings a wealth of professional experience to the post will
be joined on the board by Michael Wood, Barry Richardson and Copeland
councilors Tim Knowles and Cath Giel. The new team was endorsed at the meeting by Steve Ferres, representing the rugby football league. He said: "These people (the new board) will bring a level of professionalism to this club....as the governing body we endorse what you are doing." While
Mr Raaz is managing director of the Drigg LLW Repository Ltd he said
he was "putting his neck on the line as an individual." Among those in the egm were members of previous administrations, including Mr Ron Batty, Mr Des Byrne, Mr Harry Edgar, Mr Dave Farrell and Mr John Reed. At the outset of the meeting Mrs Giel confirmed the powerful role Copeland Council holds with 30,000 shares in the 1992 company that has a controlling interest in the main Whitehaven RL Ltd. She reminded the meeting that the 1992 company holds over 14,000 of the 20,000 shares of Whitehaven RL. 2008 The 2008
Board had been led by Gordon Grace in the chair with Vice
chair: George Rowlandson.
WHITEHAVEN rugby league club has bolstered up the Boardroom(28 May 2008 ). West Cumbrian businessman Phil Clarkin has rejoined the board and legal eagle Chris McMellon, the company secretary who works for a big American company, has also been made a director. Harry O'Neill, and Paul Goodwin, are given fulltime jobs as commercial and general manager respectively. 03/03/2008 FOUR veteran Whitehaven RL club directors have quit the Board. They are the "old guard" of ex-chairman Des Byrne, Ken Shepherd, Ron Batty, and Dave Farrell. The resignations were revealed in a guarded official statement which read: "The club will make no comments on fiancial matters other than those that have already been stated until the 2007 accounts are completed. "There will be as soon as practicable an annual general meeting where the accounts can be discussed in an open and transparent manner. Dirctors can then be appointed and a positive way forward can be proposed." In the
meantime, Haven will operate with a caretaker Board of chairman Gordon
Grace, Barry Richardson and Mike Graham who were appointed two weeks
ago. Gordon Grace gave credit to the directors who have resigned for
the team's on-field achievements, adding: "We have a great coach,
a tremendous set of committed and professional players combined with
the best supporters in rugby league. It is now time for everyone to
pull together for the best interests of Whitehaven RLFC." The
exact state of club finances is not yet known, as the new board Grace, 60, paid tribute to the work of the departing chairman, who will remain a club director, and stated his intent to place Haven on a more stable financial footing. "Finances are very tight in rugby league and Whitehaven is no exception,"said Grace, who, after leaving the Navy, went on to senior management roles with Marconi Simulation, the UK paper industry and more recently in launching GEN II Engineering and Training at Cleator Moor. Along with my colleagues we intend to urgently review and address our financial difficulties and develop new income streams. Retailer Billy Rudd, another well-known sponsor, who holds the club's merchandising contract, will be director of rugby. He will manage all coaching, playing and medical staff, take charge of player-contract negotiations, developing and delivering community programmes, and attracting fresh backers for team clothing and club merchandise. And a fourth new face on the board, former Tory leader on Copeland Council Mike Graham, has been appointed as hospitality director.Every director will have a well-defined area of responsibility under the new regime. Each will be accountable for the budget allocated to his area and these will be reported and monitored monthly. Board meetings will switch to monthly from weekly. A statement of progress will also be required from each director on a monthly basis in advance of the board meeting. Grace, who is now retired from business, will also be in charge of deciding future strategy, sponsor-liaison, ground development and legal issues. As commercial director, George Rowlandson, former vice-chairman, will lead the search for new business and income streams. Ron Batty, another huge club sponsor through his firm B & H Motors, will spearhead all club social events, while Kenny Shepherd will be in charge of ground maintenance and safety issues, in addition to having a major match-day role. Dave Farrell, as business support director, will assist with the reserve-grade side, service website and IT needs and prepare all club documentation. Director John Reed has stepped down from the board. No vice-chairman has yet been appointed. In March 2007 Haven director Phillip Barwise stepped down from the board due to new business commitments.
Whitehaven RLFC have appointed Paul Crarey former coach of Barrow Raiders as their new coach. The 42 year old former Haven player last night signed a twelve month contract with the club. November 16 2006 Vice Chairman Barry Richardson has stepped down with immediate effect to take a well earned break. Barry has for the last five years performed the role of Chairman and Vice Chairman which have been two very demanding positions. He feels it is now time to take a break and recharge his batteries as well as spending more time with his family. Chairman Des Byrne said, "Barry has worked very hard for the club over the last five years and has been the driving force behind the success of recent seasons. He will be a big miss to the club but the Board respect his decision and fully understand the reasons behind it. Everyone at the club wishes Barry well and thanks him for the tremendous contribution he has made to the club over the last five years." October 2006 Whitehaven RLFC have appointed St Helens Assistant Coach Dave Rotheram as their new Head Coach. The former London Broncos player and Assistant Coach has joined the club on a two year deal. The thirty seven year old was chosen from a short list of five applicants and the Board feel that Dave is the right man to take the club further forward. He has coaching experience at all levels and has worked alongside coaches like Tony Rea, Ian Millward and Daniel Anderson. Everyone at the club was saddened
and shocked to hear today of the sudden death of Club President
Bill Madine at his Whitehaven home. Whitehaven RL Recreation Ground Coach Rd |
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