Perth Glory will revert to a single ownership structure with Mr Tony Sage taking full control of the club after completing a buyout of co-owner Mr Brett McKeon.
Perth Glory will revert to a single ownership structure with Mr Tony Sage taking full control of the club after completing a buyout of co-owner Mr Brett McKeon.
Mr Sage has been a significant driving force behind the revival of Perth Glory since leading a three man consortium which took ownership of the club prior to the 2007/08 season. He is a vocal advocate of the Glory, and football in general in Western Australia, and has pledged his commitment to the club for the long term.
“I have a deep passion for Perth Glory and I-m wholeheartedly committed to taking this club back to the top of Australian football,” Mr Sage said.
“Perth Glory is well positioned to make the coming season its best yet, there are some really exciting players we-re talking to at the moment which will boost our performances on the field while the support from our corporate partners and the West Australian football community continues to be very enthusiastic.
“We have some exciting plans in place for the future and nothing changes in regards to achieving those lofty goals. Coaching staff have a green light to recruit the best talent by spending the entire salary cap and they-ll continue their search for a player that would be suitable to fill the marquee position.
“I-m definitely excited about the future of Perth Glory, I believe we are on the cusp of achieving great things at the club and I-ll be here for the long haul,” Mr Sage added.
Mr Sage thanked Mr McKeon for his contribution to the club over the past two years and advised that the former owner will continue to support the club as a corporate partner and retains a seat on a restructured club Advisory Board.
Current Board member Mr Lui Giuliani, a Director of private equity and corporate advisory group Primewest Capital, will take the position of Deputy Chairman while three new positions have been filled with other prominent West Australian businessmen.
Perth media executive Mr Declan Kelly, General Manager of 6PR and 96fm, joins Professional Public Relations founder and Executive Director Mr Paul Niardone on the Advisory Board while a position has also been offered to Football West, the state-s governing body, and will be filled by current Football West Board Member Mr Paul Kelly who is the National Manager of Advertising & Sponsorship for Members Equity Bank.
“All of these gentlemen have a passion for football and sound business backgrounds that will add fresh perspectives to the club going forward,” Mr Sage said.
“I-m under no illusions about the challenges ahead for our club however we are well prepared and resourced to tackle those head on.
“I will do whatever it takes to ensure that the club is successful on and off the pitch and takes its rightful place as an important community asset here in Western Australia,” Mr Sage said.
One of the key projects the club is working towards is a friendly match in Perth against English Premier League side Everton in the middle of the year.
“We-re setting our sights high in everything we want to achieve at Perth Glory. This is a game that would bring Socceroos hero Tim Cahill to Perth and pack out Members Equity Stadium.
“I have agreed to underwrite the match and as a club we-re doing everything we can to make it happen,” Mr Sage said.
