Essendon president David Barham is preparing to be grilled by club members about the hiring and abrupt departure of Andrew Thorburn at Thursday night’s annual general meeting, as a report emerged that the former chief executive was interested in returning to the club as a volunteer.
Bombers sources were bemused on Wednesday when asked about the News Corp report, which said Thorburn had asked to return to the Bombers as an advisor or volunteer, having not yet commenced litigation for religious discrimination and damage to his reputation.
Andrew Thorburn remains in legal discussions with the Bombers about his departure from the club.Credit:Jamie Brown
Senior club sources wondered what role Thorburn would want, with some in the dark about whom he had even approached. However, sources close to Thorburn privately claim it was the Bombers who had approached the multi-millionaire. The club did not wish to comment when contacted by The Age.
Club sources also questioned whether Thorburn’s alleged bid to return formed part of his potential legal case against the club.
A spokesman for Thorburn refused to comment when contacted by The Age on Wednesday, saying there were ongoing legal issues at play.
In a dramatic year for Essendon, when Barham seized power from Paul Brasher, chief executive Xavier Campbell quit and coach Ben Rutten was sacked amid an ultimately failed bid to land Alastair Clarkson, the Bombers were plunged into further chaos in October when, barely 24 hours after his appointment, Thorburn quit following criticism about his role as chairman of City on a Hill church.
In sermons published on its website, the church said practising homosexuality was a sin and likened abortion to a concentration camp – a position Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, also an Essendon supporter, said had no place in the sporting community.
Thorburn’s departure split opinion, with the former NAB chief executive insisting he had a right to freedom of religion. He had been given the option of quitting his role at the church or remaining with the Bombers.
