Perth Glory can confirm that CEO Peter Filopoulos is set to leave the club next month.
He is departing to take up the role of CEO at Football Federation Victoria.
Filopoulos joined Glory in 2015 and has subsequently played a key role in the club’s development, notably in the financial, membership, sponsorship and academy sectors.
He is now set to return to his native Melbourne, but admitted that the decision to part company with Glory was a tough one.
“It was with heavy heart that I tendered my resignation as CEO of Perth Glory Football Club on Sunday when I met with Chairman and Owner, Tony Sage,” he said.
“The decision was not an easy one for my family, however, we have decided that after three wonderful seasons, it’s time to return home to Melbourne.
“I have been privileged to work with some amazing and dedicated people at the club and am very appreciative of the support that I have received from Tony, the staff, volunteers, players, coaches, 9368 members, fans and sponsors.
“I would like to thank Tony and his family for giving me the opportunity to lead the Hyundai A-League’s oldest club and wish them all the very best for their future endeavours.”
Tony Sage, meanwhile, was quick to acknowledge the impact made by the departing CEO.
“Peter has been a significant figure in the off-field progress made by the club in the last three years,” he said. “His hard work and dedication have been much appreciated by everyone associated with Glory.
“I am very happy that he can now re-join his family who moved back to Melbourne several months ago. That sacrifice showed his dedication to the club.
“On behalf of everyone at the club, I would like to thank Peter for his endeavours and wish him and his family all the very best for the future.”
Filopoulos went on to reflect upon what he feels have been the club’s most significant achievements during his tenure.
“When I arrived in the wake of the salary cap issue in 2015,” he said, “I found a club that was disillusioned and at a crossroads.
“After three years at the helm, I am proud to have provided stable leadership and helped develop stronger foundations and administrative structures.
“During this time, our membership numbers have grown 50%, corporate sponsorship by 20% and revenue by 20%, while our bottom line has improved by 33%.
“We have also become one of only six clubs in the country to secure the coveted two-star status for our Academy and I’m particularly proud of the very exciting young talent that we are developing.
“I see the Academy playing a vital role in the continued development of our club and it is something that we need to continue to evolve and invest in.
“Overall, I believe that I am leaving the club today in a much stronger position than I found it in three seasons ago.”
In terms of the club’s future, meanwhile, the departing CEO feels that finance is the most pressing issue.
“The club now faces some very important decisions about the means that it needs to find to be able to compete on the field in the A-League.
“At the core of these decisions is the financial capability to be able to provide the high-performance environment, adequate resources and a winning culture in the quest to become the ‘A-League’s most successful club’ as we aspired to be in our vision for the club.
“It is clear that the financial gap between the clubs in both the A-League and the Westfield W-League is widening at a rapid rate despite the salary-capped environment and it is critical that we find the financial capability to be able to compete for success and to achieve the club’s aspirations.
” As I have done consistently throughout my tenure, I have made several recommendations to Tony about the future direction of the club and what is required to build a successful on-field culture to deliver the silverware and Asian qualification that its members and fans so greatly crave and deserve.”
Filopoulos signed off by singling out Glory’s members and fans for special praise and thanking his family for their support.
“I will particularly miss my relationship with the supporters of this great club,” he said.
“Their loyalty is second to none and they deserve success.
“And I also need to acknowledge my wife Mary and two sons George and Jonathan, along with my extended family, who all went through the trials and tribulations during my time at Glory and provided me with fantastic support and encouragement.
“The Filopoulos clan will continue to follow the progress of the club from Melbourne with great interest.”
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