THE MELBOURNE Football Club wishes to advise the following changes to the Club’s Board.

Russel Howcroft has decided to step down as a Director of the Club. Howcroft joined the Club when Jim Stynes became the President in 2008.

Howcroft said: “I was about to enter my seventh year as a member of the Board and as I reflected on the Club, its needs and my tenure, it became clear that I needed to move on and make way for further renewal of the Club’s Board. This is a process we have been undertaking since Don McLardy stepped down as President. The renewal of the Board is a process I have been heavily engaged in, and endorse.

“Glen Bartlett, Peter Jackson and Paul Roos are building a new future for our beloved Demons and I wish them every success. I am looking forward to not wearing a tie to the footy and simply screaming my guts out. Finally, I would like to thank the members for their support during my time as one of the Club’s Board members. Go Demons.”

Bartlett said: “The Board would like to sincerely thank Russel for his service to the Club. Russel has made a significant contribution to the Club over the last six years.  The Board will miss Russel’s energy and passion for the Club.”

The Melbourne Football Club is pleased to announce the appointment of Steve Morris to the Club’s Board.

President Glen Bartlett said: “Steve is a welcome addition to the Board - with a broad background from elite swimming to management in the finance industry.  He is a relationship builder and has been heavily involved in the Club’s business community which has focussed on fundraising and the sharing of information.”

Morris said: “I am very honoured and excited to be appointed to the Board of the Melbourne Football Club. I intend to work very hard to help the Board and the Club continue down the path of ensuring all facets are totally aligned and giving the team and therefore our members, the very best chance of success.”

Morris has been appointed to a casual vacancy on the Board following the recent resignation of Peter Spargo and Russel Howcroft as part of the Board renewal process and will stand for re-election at the Club’s next AGM.

Morris has spent the past 20 years in senior executive positions in financial markets and sport.

Predominantly in stockbroking, Morris has been Head of Private Clients Australia for Patersons Securities, one of Australia's largest retail stockbroking firms, and Managing Director of Intersuisse Ltd.

He is the founder and Managing Director of Peloton Shareholder Services, offering shareholder management and capital raising solutions to a range of ASX listed companies. Morris is also a Master Stockbroker and Responsible Executive of the ASX.

Morris is a passionate Melbourne supporter.  He is a committee member of the Melbourne Business Community (MBC) and co-founder of Club Lunch – a supporter group that is part of the MBC and raises funds that are put into the Football Department. He has also been a player sponsor for the past five years.

Morris is married with two boys, one of whom is an extremely committed Demon and the other one is hopefully about to realign his thinking (according to Morris).