By Luke Brailey
Back to Belmore President

February 1, 2008

The leading candidates seeking positions on the Bulldogs Board of Directors in 2008 present an intriguing mix of personalities and priorities. In a talented field, Phil Charlton, Ray Dib, Paul Dunn, Andrew Farrar, Graeme Hughes, Robert Picone and Barry Ward have the right experience and the right agenda to bring the Bulldogs back to their proud traditions.

Substance, competence and conviction are important qualities for the Board of Directors to possess. No one has a better understanding of the history, culture and tradition of the mighty blue and whites than these candidates do. Charlton, Dib, Dunn, Farrar, Hughes, Picone and Ward can be trusted to make informed decisions based on the best interests of the Bulldogs Rugby League Club.

The most crucial issue facing the Bulldogs is the future of our spiritual home, Belmore Sports Ground. These candidates are best prepared to confront the enormous challenges facing Belmore. The job requires tough men who not only understand the factors that have crippled Belmore Sports Ground but also possess the foresight, discipline and skill to act immediately and navigate the club back to its traditional heartland.

The strength of the Bulldogs Rugby League Club is in its history, culture and tradition. Back to Belmore Inc. firmly believes the "Magnificent Seven" have the energy, passion and commitment to fulfill their responsibilities in a way that restores pride to the Bulldogs’ Administration.

As members of the Board, these candidates would work hard at developing plans to effectively return the family club to its former glory. What they will bring to the Board is a vision – a vision based on listening and plans for a better future for the Bulldogs. They will provide fresh ideas and develop clear, long-term plans.

The Back to Belmore committee is fully confident that these candidates can construct an alliance with traditional supporters. Charlton, Dib, Dunn, Farrar, Hughes, Picone and Ward have all indicated a willingness to serve on the Bulldogs Board of Directors that will bring Canterbury supporters together.

Their unique combination of toughness, traditional values and passion make them the best choice to be elected to the Bulldogs Board and truly address the unacceptable state of our spiritual kennel, Belmore Sports Ground. These candidates are ready to address the challenges facing the renovation, restoration and reconstruction of Belmore Sports Ground with a bold and comprehensive plan and will heal the rift between the club and its traditional supporters.

Since abandoning Belmore in 1998, the Bulldogs have averaged a mere 16,000 at Homebush during rugby league’s strong revival following the disastrous ARL/SuperLeague War. In a stadium with an 83,500 capacity, the 16,000 average is particularly disappointing considering the exemplary facilities on offer at the Homebush venue, and the fact that our tenure has coincided with a somewhat successful period in our history.

We need people that will plan for the Clubs’ future. We need a Board of Directors that will bring the club back to its proud traditions and we need a group of people who will take urgent and decisive action to tackle entrenched problems facing Belmore Sports Ground. We need tough men that won’t settle for the unsatisfactory state of affairs of the Bulldogs being exiled from its heartland to an alien venue it is forced to share with the Wests Tigers, St. George–Illawarra Dragons, South Sydney Rabbitohs and Parramatta Eels.

Back to Belmore urges you to ensure the success of the Bulldogs by casting your vote for these seven candidates on February 17.

CHARLTON - DIB - DUNN - FARRAR - HUGHES - PICONE - WARD

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