- Jeff Browne says he will step down as Collingwood president
- The 72-year-old is battling blood cancer
- He says he will leave when the time is right
Collingwood President Jeff Browne will step down from his role due to his ongoing battle with cancer.
The 72-year-old says he will step down when he feels the time is right. The Pies boss is currently battling myeloma, a form of blood cancer.
According to 7news, Browne has told the board that he will step down when he feels the club has ‘got its act together’.
That could take some time due to the drama surrounding the departure of football boss Graham Wright and the controversy surrounding CEO Craig Kelly.
Kelly was accused of racism by a former Pies employee and Wright’s departure comes after he was out of football for a year.
There are also reportedly “significant tensions” between Wright and Kelly.
Browne is up for re-election, but a succession plan is now expected to be put into motion.
The Pies are looking to restructure their football department after missing out on the finals last year after a disappointing season, despite winning the championship title.
Jeff Browne has announced he will step down as president of Collingwood
The 72-year-old has been battling blood cancer since September 2023
Browne was diagnosed with blood cancer in September last year but kept the health news secret during the club’s Premier League triumph.
“It’s incurable at the moment and that’s a shock to everyone,” he told 7news earlier this year.
‘It’s just like a football club… You know, you finish 17th two years ago and two years later you become champions.
‘If you fight hard, try your best, show discipline in your life, show determination and believe, then good things will happen.
“I’m determined to beat it… and I’ve got so much more to do in my life,” he said.
“If I hit the wall, I hit it really hard and they have to scrape me off.”
Browne is the father of Tom Browne, an AFL reporter for Seven.