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AS members get set to vote on a new committee at the crisis-torn British Club the first man to throw in the towel this year has explained why he walked away.
Businessman Mike Delaney, a club member for two years, proudly put his name forward last December, but said: “I’ll never stand again – it’s a complete waste of time.”
He took on the role of ‘house member No 2’ responsible for club maintenance and security supporting ‘house member No 1’ Terry Winder who also quit just 24-hours after Mr Delaney resigned after his three-month stint.
“My decision was completely off the cuff, I didn’t discuss it beforehand – but I found the whole thing soul destroying.
“No committee should be allowed to overturn decisions made by a previous committee.
“In my opinion the club is run by Indians and the committee is only a figurehead.”
Mr Delaney, 56, from Juffair, added that he was not surprised that the club has had to call an extraordinary general assembly meeting this week to allow the club’s 1,800-strong membership the chance to appoint a new line-up to run its affairs.
Club rules forced the move after committee secretary Steve Berkhauer, entertainment head Rodney Davies and lady member Karen Cartawick handed in their resignations just hours before the executive committee was to meet for its fortnightly session.
The rebel trio were unhappy about the way former general manager Peter Down was treated and furious over an alleged letter they claim offered the post to a man who had applied for an executive chef’s post before the matter was discussed.
They also had grievances over long-running electricity supply issues and an increase in the cost of food and beverages, themes close to the heart of Mr Delaney, who runs a successful business consultancy.
Mr Delaney also was unhappy about the manner in which staff bonuses were distributed which at first had been agreed to support the most lowly-paid staff but ended up benefiting all workers and included a bonus of BD400 alone for one expat.
“I’m not surprised the club has ended up in this situation – there is such a frustrating environment,” he said.
Civil engineer Mr Winder is standing again for the house member position on the committee and decided not to comment before voting takes place on Monday, when one third of the membership is required to be present. “I will gladly tell anybody who asks why I resigned at that time,” he added.
In total six of the newly-elected committee quit before the year was out. Janet Cook, 49, a bubbly sports bar supervisor, from Adliya, was the committee’s general duties executive.
She said a combination of personal reasons such as moving home and the committee’s treatment of Mr Down forced her hand in April.
“I didn’t like the way it was handled. Certain people on the committee wanted him out of the job – it didn’t matter what he did, he didn’t stand a chance.”
