Essendon Football Club wishes to advise Paul Brasher and Simon Madden have informed President David Barham of their decision to step away from the Board of Directors.

Brasher and Madden will depart from their positions, effective immediately.

Furthermore, Finance Director Peter Allen has advised his intention to step away from the Board following the club’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in December.

Sean Wellman will also remain on the Board until a new Football Director has been appointed, at which point he will step down following his transition of duties.

Brasher said it was a privilege to serve on the Essendon Football Club Board of Directors.

“A good board will always have healthy debate and a diversity of views on issues affecting the organisation. In most cases, once everybody has had his or her say, the Board moves on united in support of the majority view,” Brasher said. 

“Occasionally though, on the most fundamental issues, directors who hold minority views are best to get out of the way so that the Board can go forward totally united in implementing the decisions which have been made. That is what is happening here.

“There is absolutely no bitterness – every director on this Board wants only to see our team successful. We will work with Dave to do whatever is necessary to ensure the smoothest possible transition to new directors and to prevent disruption to the Board’s oversight of important projects currently under way, including completion of the financial statements for the current year.

“It has been a privilege to serve on the Essendon Football Club Board of Directors.  We wish the Club, the Board, the players, the staff and all our supporters the very best. Going forward, we will be in the outer cheering as loudly as any other Bomber fans and will celebrate long and hard when each of our teams achieves the ultimate success.”

Madden wished everyone at the Essendon Football Club well for the future.

“I have resigned from the Essendon Board as the board is moving in a direction to which I am not aligned,” Madden said.

“A club must have everyone moving in the same direction and to be fair to our new President David Barham and the rest of the board members, and in the best interests of the club, I have come to the conclusion that this is the right outcome. It has been an honour and a privilege to represent the Essendon community and I thank you for your support over my time.

“I wish the club every success in the future, and I eagerly look forward to the first round of the AFLW season and our game against Hawthorn at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night.”

Allen said that in the best interest of the club he would see out his duties as Finance Director through to the club’s AGM in December.

“I wish to take this opportunity to thank my fellow Directors for the opportunity to serve on this Board. It has been a true privilege,” Allen said.

“Through the tireless work of many, the club is in a sound financial position.

“I wish nothing but the best to all our teams in their pursuit for success and I look forward to supporting my beloved Bombers in the stands next season and beyond.

Wellman said he would complete a smooth transition to handover his current portfolio to a new Football Director once appointed.

“The decision to transition out of the Board is not something I took lightly, but one I feel is in the best interests for the Club to move forward under David Barham’s leadership,” Wellman said.

“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to not only play for this great club, but to also serve on the Board of Directors and repay the Club that has given me so much. 

President Dave Barham thanked the quartet for their services to the Board of Directors.

“I wish to thank Paul and Simon for their significant contribution during their respective tenures on our Board,” Barham said.

“We are appreciative to both Peter and Sean for remaining on the Board as they commence the important transition of their respective portfolios.

“We will now commence the process of evaluating the make-up of the Essendon Football Club Board, which will be a key part of the external review over the coming weeks.”