Byron Bay reached out to ‘saviour’ Carney
IT’S the Instagram message that helped Byron Bay secure former Northern Pride recruit Todd Carney’s signature as captain coach.
Almost six months ago, Devils president Ben Webber thought he’d reach out to Carney via social media after meeting him over a beer in Byron years earlier.
Webber was impressed with the former Dally M medal winner and believed he could be the man to save Byron Bay after seasons of substandard results. And his message to Carney was simple.
“It was all about the idea I pitched to Todd about how Byron Bay has been looking for a saviour and he could be it,” Webber said.
“He could come to Byron and if he did the right thing by the town and the people they will treat him like a Dally M Medal winner like he should be treated instead of being belittled in the paper and on social media.
“I know he has made a few mistakes but he has never hurt anyone other than himself.
“But it is a big thing for him coming to us. I think he wants to call Byron Bay home and get the respect he deserves – on and off the field.”
Webber revealed he has had countless people approach him about Carney, saying: ‘oh you must be throwing massive money at him’.
But the Devils president was quick to dismiss Carney’s deal is all about dollars.
“That is not the case,” he said.
“The biggest seller for us was helping Todd sort his life out after football.
“We are nowhere near NRL or Super League money, so our committee have been working hard to help him with a job.
“Everyone in Bryon is excited to help him out.
“Ideally I think he wants to give back to footy a fair bit. He likes working with kids and doing some personal training.
“Maybe a role in development would be great for him.”
Byron Bay hasn’t played finals football since losing the 2014 Northern Rivers grand final.