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Garry Hughes talks: George Peponis walks
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Vlasnik
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Garry Hughes opens up about about returning to Bulldogs fold
Gary Hughes says he has finally gotten closure from Canterbury after receiving an apology over his treatment following the Coffs Harbour scandal.
The memberships of the Hughes clan were officially restored at a Bulldogs ambassadors’ grand final luncheon at Bankstown Sports Club on Friday.
BULLDOGS
Hughes family welcomed back by Bulldogs at grand final luncheon
"I’ve always loved the club and have always been loyal, I’ve never gone anywhere else," he said.
"It was a very difficult for myself and the family after the events of Coff Harbour. I have always done everything to support the players and the club. There is a difference between stupid and illegal behaviour and the players were never guilty of behaving illegally.
"That situation took a real toll on myself and the family.
"It’s nice to finally get some closure. What happened [on Friday] really meant a lot, the words Lynne Anderson said. It was pretty special."
The matriarch of the Hughes family, Garry’s mother Patricia, died in July. Garry said Anderson and the board reached out during the difficult time and those interactions were an important first step towards mending the divide between the club and the family.
"I’ve got a lot of confidence in the direction the club is heading in with her and the new board in charge," he said.
"I’ve never stopped supporting the club and hopefully there are some good times coming very soon."
Anderson said the luncheon was an emotional day on a number of fronts.
"We made a commitment in our election campaign to reignite the Bulldogs’ family spirit, and that was very evident [on Friday]," Anderson said. "We apologised formally to Garry Hughes and his family in relation to his exit from the club.
"We had the 1988 GF team all speak about the strength in the tight bond they shared as well as the Bulldogs work ethic. And to finish it off there was an inspirational address by Greg Buckley, an up and coming Bulldogs junior whose career was tragically cut short by an injury at Belmore in August 1988. He awoke from a coma several weeks later - on grand final day, and of course a Bulldogs premiership.
"For Greg the life and dreams he had before his injury were over, yet as many who have faced similar adversity, he too forged a different path. Despite never playing first grade, he absolutely feels part of the Bulldogs family - ‘the Bulldogs are my life, they made me the person I am now’, he said - the room was full of tough Bulldogs people but I don’t think there was a dry eye in the room."
The focus of the Hughes family’s anger is believed to be long-time powerbroker George Peponis. A long-time director of the leagues club, Peponis resigned from the board altogether last week. It’s understood two of the "independents" on the board, Morris Iemma and George Kanaan, have done likewise.
Gary Hughes says he has finally gotten closure from Canterbury after receiving an apology over his treatment following the Coffs Harbour scandal.
The memberships of the Hughes clan were officially restored at a Bulldogs ambassadors’ grand final luncheon at Bankstown Sports Club on Friday.
BULLDOGS
Hughes family welcomed back by Bulldogs at grand final luncheon
"I’ve always loved the club and have always been loyal, I’ve never gone anywhere else," he said.
"It was a very difficult for myself and the family after the events of Coff Harbour. I have always done everything to support the players and the club. There is a difference between stupid and illegal behaviour and the players were never guilty of behaving illegally.
"That situation took a real toll on myself and the family.
"It’s nice to finally get some closure. What happened [on Friday] really meant a lot, the words Lynne Anderson said. It was pretty special."
The matriarch of the Hughes family, Garry’s mother Patricia, died in July. Garry said Anderson and the board reached out during the difficult time and those interactions were an important first step towards mending the divide between the club and the family.
"I’ve got a lot of confidence in the direction the club is heading in with her and the new board in charge," he said.
"I’ve never stopped supporting the club and hopefully there are some good times coming very soon."
Anderson said the luncheon was an emotional day on a number of fronts.
"We made a commitment in our election campaign to reignite the Bulldogs’ family spirit, and that was very evident [on Friday]," Anderson said. "We apologised formally to Garry Hughes and his family in relation to his exit from the club.
"We had the 1988 GF team all speak about the strength in the tight bond they shared as well as the Bulldogs work ethic. And to finish it off there was an inspirational address by Greg Buckley, an up and coming Bulldogs junior whose career was tragically cut short by an injury at Belmore in August 1988. He awoke from a coma several weeks later - on grand final day, and of course a Bulldogs premiership.
"For Greg the life and dreams he had before his injury were over, yet as many who have faced similar adversity, he too forged a different path. Despite never playing first grade, he absolutely feels part of the Bulldogs family - ‘the Bulldogs are my life, they made me the person I am now’, he said - the room was full of tough Bulldogs people but I don’t think there was a dry eye in the room."
The focus of the Hughes family’s anger is believed to be long-time powerbroker George Peponis. A long-time director of the leagues club, Peponis resigned from the board altogether last week. It’s understood two of the "independents" on the board, Morris Iemma and George Kanaan, have done likewise.
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Some independents Iemma and Kanaan were! I’m glad they are gone. Peponis only used them in a selfish and desperate ploy to hold onto power.
Novocastrian
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Love to hear the negative thoughts of mr i. Will keep an eye on this thread in an anticipation of it and a statement on how good dib is and how this article is false.
speedy2460
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Just another important part of the rebuilding.
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All this stuff adds to our culture and tightness as a club and creates a playing group that will bleed for the club the Anderson’s are doing a wonderful job
belmore_utd
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Where has he admitted that? Those facebook groups just make so much stuff up.
haz123
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He did state in a interview that "maybe we just dont talk to those involved" he wasn't impressed with the way the tele was involved in the Mad Monday photos and reporting.
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Yes it is, Uce
Bad Billy
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Good on them, if that’s the case.
I’m loving the us against them attitude.
The Tele will push back, but that will only feed the machine.
Fuck the *****.
D- voice
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If my memory serves me right, I once read he was a state sprint champion before he did his hammies.
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It was reported Dib and Peponis knocked back Wayne Bennet who wanted to coach us