Kelly to resign before any bid

PROSPECTIVE Titans owner Darryl Kelly will step down from the Gold Coast board as soon as he enters sale discussions with the NRL to ensure no conflict of interest occurs.

Kelly a former part-owner of the club and current board member, has long stated his interest to buy back into the Titans despite losing millions when the organisation was placed into administration before an NRL takeover.

An NRL spokesman said the league would not call for tenders, as had happened for the recent sale of the Newcastle Knights, instead entering discussions with parties that had expressed interest in the Titans during the three years of NRL ownership.

The Kelly consortium will receive a draft report on their Titans plans from consultants this week in preparation for further talks with the league.

But as soon as he enters those discussions, Kelly said he would step down from the Titans board.

“I’ll have to step down shortly,” Kelly said.

“As soon as the announcement’s made, I’ll step down to avoid conflict (of interest).”

The Titans are set to make some significant decisions over the next month, including appointing a coach to replace the axed Neil Henry.

Kelly said he was happy to step aside while the sale process occurred.

“Definitely. It’s got to be seen to be doing the right thing as well as (actually) doing the right thing,” he said.

“That’s always the case.”

Kelly would not divulge the number of people involved in his bid, or their identities, except to say all were only interested in having “a successful NRL side on the Gold Coast”.

The North Sydney Bears are understood to be Kelly’s greatest rivals given the financial clout behind their bid.

But with the group wanting to change the club’s name and colours, it’s a bid Kelly does not support.

“It’s just illogical to me to think that you would try to go through trying to regenerate another brand when we’ve had all the issues we’ve had,” he said. “We’re really looking for stability now, not another upheaval.”

Meanwhile, William Zillman could yet become the most capped Titan of all time, with negotiations between the veteran and the club ongoing despite his “farewell” from the club at last Sunday’s final home game of the season.

Zillman’s name was included in a banner farewelling departing players and he was involved in a post-match presentation to those leaving.

But officials are understood to be keen to keep his experience in a relatively young group and he could yet re-sign.

Tyrone Roberts also remains in talks with the Titans and is looking likely to sign a deal to remain at the club.