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RUGBY LEAGUE
NRL 2018: Steve Mortimer lends support to Ray Dib as Bulldogs board rivals circle
Steve Mortimer, one of the Bulldogs' favourite sons, has launched an impassioned defence of "misunderstood" Canterbury chairman Ray Dib and the incumbent directors amid an increasingly bitter power struggle at Belmore.
Club director Mortimer, who quit his official role last year after questioning the club's direction under former coach Des Hasler before later being reappointed, has asked for understanding from the Bulldogs' voting members after a summer of upheaval.
Dib supporter: Bulldogs director Steve Mortimer.
Dib supporter: Bulldogs director Steve Mortimer. Photo: Steve Christo
And he has lent his significant weight to Dib, who is facing a fight from the Lynne Anderson-led Reform ticket at the February 11 showdown for control at Canterbury.
"I don't think a lot of the Bulldogs supporters or members know exactly the person he [Dib] is," Mortimer said. "He's done a great thing for the Bulldogs. We don't have the debt like Parramatta.
"He's a very intelligent man and, yes, he has played for the Bulldogs – he didn't play too many first-grade games – but still he was there. He's a smart businessman and I think the Bulldogs supporters and our members need to get to know what a good person we have in the chairman position."
The Bulldogs board has already launched legal action against candidates of the rival Reform ticket after they alleged the current directors had hired a PR firm to compile a "dirt file" on the directors.
The Reform ticket includes Anderson's husband and former Bulldogs coach Chris as well as premiership-winning internationals Paul Dunn and Steve Price.
Dib's invitation for Mortimer to return to the fold has been seen as a shrewd one, and arguably the Bulldogs' greatest player has backed continuity in the boardroom as they head into the season with a new chief executive, coach and captain.
On Dib, Mortimer said: "I also employed him when I had two Athlete's Foot shops back in the '80s. I got to watch all the young blokes servicing people and Ray Dib was an absolute gentleman. He was very smart and going through university ... I just found him to be a gem of a person.
"He's a goer himself and everyone makes mistakes, but what we've done now with Dean Pay [means] the players are so happy.
"Dean Pay is very keen to get Canterbury-Bankstown Junior Rugby League up and running so we can also develop our own good footballers as well. Dean Pay is a country boy originally from Dubbo and he's won a premiership with the Bulldogs. He's basically respectful, humble and wants to help people."
Eighteen people will contest the Bulldogs board elections, including four independents to complement the seven incumbents and seven members of the Reform team.
NRL 2018: Steve Mortimer lends support to Ray Dib as Bulldogs board rivals circle
Steve Mortimer, one of the Bulldogs' favourite sons, has launched an impassioned defence of "misunderstood" Canterbury chairman Ray Dib and the incumbent directors amid an increasingly bitter power struggle at Belmore.
Club director Mortimer, who quit his official role last year after questioning the club's direction under former coach Des Hasler before later being reappointed, has asked for understanding from the Bulldogs' voting members after a summer of upheaval.
Dib supporter: Bulldogs director Steve Mortimer.
Dib supporter: Bulldogs director Steve Mortimer. Photo: Steve Christo
And he has lent his significant weight to Dib, who is facing a fight from the Lynne Anderson-led Reform ticket at the February 11 showdown for control at Canterbury.
"I don't think a lot of the Bulldogs supporters or members know exactly the person he [Dib] is," Mortimer said. "He's done a great thing for the Bulldogs. We don't have the debt like Parramatta.
"He's a very intelligent man and, yes, he has played for the Bulldogs – he didn't play too many first-grade games – but still he was there. He's a smart businessman and I think the Bulldogs supporters and our members need to get to know what a good person we have in the chairman position."
The Bulldogs board has already launched legal action against candidates of the rival Reform ticket after they alleged the current directors had hired a PR firm to compile a "dirt file" on the directors.
The Reform ticket includes Anderson's husband and former Bulldogs coach Chris as well as premiership-winning internationals Paul Dunn and Steve Price.
Dib's invitation for Mortimer to return to the fold has been seen as a shrewd one, and arguably the Bulldogs' greatest player has backed continuity in the boardroom as they head into the season with a new chief executive, coach and captain.
On Dib, Mortimer said: "I also employed him when I had two Athlete's Foot shops back in the '80s. I got to watch all the young blokes servicing people and Ray Dib was an absolute gentleman. He was very smart and going through university ... I just found him to be a gem of a person.
"He's a goer himself and everyone makes mistakes, but what we've done now with Dean Pay [means] the players are so happy.
"Dean Pay is very keen to get Canterbury-Bankstown Junior Rugby League up and running so we can also develop our own good footballers as well. Dean Pay is a country boy originally from Dubbo and he's won a premiership with the Bulldogs. He's basically respectful, humble and wants to help people."
Eighteen people will contest the Bulldogs board elections, including four independents to complement the seven incumbents and seven members of the Reform team.
