War of words as countdown on for Magpies board spill

COLLINGWOOD is facing a total spill of its board at December’s annual meeting unless a weekend peace deal can be reached with would-be president Jeff Browne.

Former Pies solicitor Francis Galbally told News Corp he would be in a position to lodge papers for a full-blown club election early next week.

The move would give about 12,000 Collingwood members the right to vote on all seven board positions at the December 16 AGM.

“Despite all our attempts to reach a peaceful resolution we have been unsuccessful in negotiating a transition to an appropriate new leadership and governance team at Collingwood,” Galbally said.

The former Magpies solicitor and prominent businessman took aim at club director Peter Murphy, who questioned Galbally’s motives on Thursday, accusing him of trying to “destabilise” the club because of “personal ambition”.

But Galbally said he had nothing personal to gain in the board stoush and only wanted to ensure Collingwood again became a properly governed and successful football club.

“The current board has presided over one of the most terrible governance failures I have seen in my corporate life,” Galbally said.

“Peter Murphy’s comments in relation to my motives are totally wrong and misleading.

“The board over the years spent more time on making profits than developing a competitive, winning team.

“The club is a football club. Its mission is to win football games and premierships.

“Murphy ignores this. That is why he shouldn’t remain as a director. He has no idea of what Collingwood members want, which is to win.

“I am not destabilising the club. I am trying to rebuild the club.”