Outgoing Bulldogs boss implores club to 'stop the negativity' after trio quit board

"The football club would like to sincerely thank Lynne, Paul and John for their time, effort and commitment during their time on the board and wish them every success in the future."

Anderson, Dunn and Ballesty faced being subjected to an extraordinary general meeting after 116 signatures were handed to chief executive Andrew Hill last Tuesday.

Dunn said last week if he left the club it would be in a "much better position than what I found it in".

Sources close to the board said Anderson didn't want to drag the club through a potentially toxic EGM, which was triggered by unhappy club sponsors and voting members.

In a statement, Anderson said it had been a "privilege" to serve as chair of the Bulldogs for two-and-a-half years and was happy to return Canterbury to being a development club, as well as ending the days of "back room deals and back-ended [player] contracts".

"Whilst standing down means that I and two of my fellow directors, John Ballesty and Paul Dunn, won't be around to finish the job we started, we will always put the interests of the club before our own," Anderson said.

I implore everyone to now get out of the way and give the club a chance to fulfil its potential without any further interference.

Lynne Anderson

"We made no secret of the fact we inherited some challenges, the most pressing being how to ensure we could field a competitive roster with the salary cap debacle that handicapped retention and recruitment plans for several years.

"We always said it was going to take some time to turn the corner – that it would not be until 2021 that we would be in control of our destiny. I'm proud to say that has been achieved.

"So while it is in my DNA to fight and never let anyone down, John, Paul and I were determined to act to prevent an EGM process that interfered with the arrival of our new recruits, coaching staff or the club's preparations for 2021.

"It is now up to every person that loves this club to cease with any negativity going forward and put their full support behind the coach and players for next season.

"I implore everyone to now get out of the way and give the club a chance to fulfil its potential without any further interference. That is the only way this club can prosper going forward."

Anderson listed a number of achievements under her tenure, including a revamp of the club's junior league pathways, a new coaching team to be led by Trent Barrett in 2021, a new partnership with Mounties Group, plans for a first ever group strategic plan and the prospect of a profit in 2020 despite the COVID pandemic.

Anderson forfeited her own remuneration in response to the global health crisis.

Dunn, who will remain the chair of the leagues club, said he didn't want to put the club through the cost and adverse publicity that comes with an EGM.

"Some of the people were upset by the things that happened, but we were only doing what we thought was right for the club," Dunn said. "In that vein, standing down rather than going through an EGM and putting the club through all that hatred and bitterness was the only option that I saw.

"Trent starts on November 1 and he doesn't need that.

"All the bad press has been hurting the club in terms of recruiting, signing new sponsors. I needed to be able to look myself in the mirror knowing I'd done the right thing by the club."

Dunn was adamant the club was better positioned than when he inherited it.

"I'm really excited about what next year brings for the club. Whether I'm on the board or not is irrelevant," he said. "In the end people are going to look back and think we achieved some of our aims, but didn't do it in the best way. That's life.

"I'm happy I've left it in a better place than I found it."

The board changes will again raise questions about the club's recently signed major sponsorship with Laundy Hotels. The business has threatened to walk away from the club due to the political infighting.

The remaining four members on the football club board are Joe Thomas, John Khoury, Adrian Turner and Peter Mortimer.

Anderson led a ticket which swept to power in early 2018, dethroning longtime chairman Ray Dib. She had vowed to rebuild the club and told supporters it would take until 2021 for the Bulldogs to have salary cap space to target free agents.