Qld: Clem Jones moves against soccer federation over debt

AAP General News (Australia)
04-09-2001
Qld: Clem Jones moves against soccer federation over debt

BRISBANE, April 9 AAP - Former Brisbane Lord Mayor Clem Jones, a director and shareholder
of the Brisbane Strikers NSL Club, has begun legal action to wind up the Queensland Soccer
Federation (QSF) over money it owes him.

Mr Jones, who is believed to be owed about $800,000, said today he could no longer
accept the attitude of the QSF towards the game and to himself.

His solicitor said an application had been filed with the Supreme Court to have the
QSF wound up and for a liquidator to be appointed.

In a media statement today Mr Jones, who is also a life member of the QSF, said that
for 40 years he had given generous support to Queensland Soccer in kind and cash and by
sponsorship and loans.

Mr Jones said he had supported soccer in Queensland since helping to establish the
Queensland Soccer Club at Perry Park, the leasing of Perry Park and setting it up as soccer
headquarters, through to his involvement in the Strikers and the provision of the Clem
Jones medal.

"I have tolerated the recent attitude of the Soccer Federation to the Strikers and
the vilification of me personally and other past soccer officials to the point where the
detrimental effect the federation is having can no longer be tolerated," Mr Jones said.

"This attitude is exemplified by the petty action of turning off the Strikers' training
lights, which by the way, I partly paid for."

Mr Jones said he was concerned that a proposed action by a trade creditor was settled
on an instalment payment basis and that QSF treasurer, Wallace Dann had resigned last
week after being elected to the post at the QSF annual general meeting in December.

"I am further concerned that it seems the handling of the affairs generally of the
game and myself, in particular, is being based on the same attitude and for that reason
I have taken the regrettable step of moving to place the federation in liquidation," Mr
Jones said.

QSF general manager Steve Wilson was not available for comment tonight.

AAP jfs/sc/cjh/de

KEYWORD: JONES

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