HIRD TO RETURN FOR CHAIRMAN EVANS

EXCLUSIVE: DAVID Evans, son of former Essendon and AFL chairman Ron Evans, is poised to become the next Bombers chairman. His expected elevation would increase the chances of club legend James Hird officially returning to the club.

Current Essendon boss Ray Horsburgh has told Evans, a Bombers director since 2006 and managing partner of investment services company Evans and Partners, he wants him to lead the club.

The Herald Sun believes Horsburgh, the Bombers' chairman since 2007 who was re-elected to the board by members last year, is considering handing over control as early as the end of this year.
But Horsburgh said a post-2009 season handover was "not a current consideration".

It is understood Evans, 44, has indicated he is prepared to accept the role, whenever it is formally offered.

"All boards should conduct succession planning, and as part of that I have nominated David as my choice as the next president," Horsburgh told the Herald Sun.

"But when, we haven't discussed that. He is the bloke who I would groom to hopefully be the next president.

"He is a fine businessman and a very good cut of a bloke.

"He is a bloke I would be proud to have leading the club in the future when I decide to go, whenever that might be."

Evans would not comment when contacted yesterday.

Horsburgh indicated a return to the Bombers by Hird, who retired at the end of 2007 after 253 matches, would be a strong possibility under Evans' leadership.

Hird is enjoying his increased media roles this year, but has said in recent times that he would, over time, consider a coaching role.

"I have told (Hird) personally he is always welcome," Horsburgh said.

"But now he is developing a business, he is a young man and he is trying to get his own business career underway and I think that is his priority.

"He is welcome at Essendon if at some stage in the future he wants to try on the board.

"He is a close mate of David Evans, anyway.

"They are tight. David was his mentor when he worked at (JB) Were's, when he was learning the stockbroking game.

"He worked under David at Were's. David was a mentor to him and is a bit of a business adviser to him now.

"I think if Hirdy ever joins the board it might be more in David's time than mine."

Essendon is already searching for a replacement for its long-serving managing director and chief executive Peter Jackson.

Jackson confirmed at the weekend he would be leaving the club this year.

DAVID EVANS


DIRECTOR


David Evans was appointed to the Essendon Football Club Board in October 2006. He has worked with Goldman Sachs JBWere for 18 years and spent ten of these as a Director and has occupied senior roles such as CEO of the firms' Retail Business, and CEO of the firms' Equity Business. David is a Director of two ASX publicly listed companies; Healthscope Ltd and Mirrabooka Ltd. David recently started his own investment bank - Evans and Partners Pty Ltd, based in Port Melbourne.


Bio from essendonfc.com.au


Cheers,


CHRISTOS BOMBEROPOULOS