I’m sure the Knight’s Board never expected Pope to be their ultimate undoing, but after a 2-0 loss to South, the team finds themselves on the bottom of the NPL Ladder and facing an almost certain relegation.

This week the club released a statement announcing that the President and the entire board had resigned from their positions.

The current administration had seen the recommencement of the senior women’s program and delivered well received infrastructure upgrades but it appears internal pressure forced them to step aside.

You would think that the Knight’s recent form for their men’s team has been a big part of that internal pressure but obviously we can’t know for sure.

On their football program, the Knights have not exactly been world beaters since the disbandment of the NSL. They have only made State Finals five times and their best result was a runner’s up placing in 2008, they did however win the Dockerty Cup in 2014.

The Knights have some unique challenges in this regard, unable to pour money into their senior football program due to ongoing expenses associated with their property, as well as heightened expectations to represent the Croatian community relative to other clubs at this level.

What next for the Knights? Well rumours of a potential second division tilt have been swirling for a while now, but with almost certain relegation on the cards the new board must focus on short term results and improving morale around the club.

What does this mean from a South perspective? Well not much practically by it gives us a chance to reflect. South can be criticised by some in the Greek community for not being connected in the same way Knights are, however in a way this frees South up to focus on the football and broaden it sponsor, volunteer, and governance base.

South also has fewer financial outlays or responsibilities as a result of not owning land, but it is subject to the whims of Grand Prix scheduling and the ever confusing relationship with the State Sports Trust.

But what of the Board? In recent years calls to sack the board at games have become less common, I think because people don’t understand who would actually replace them. South have had a similarly bad season as the Knights, but our boards response has been to host a Member Forum, rather than quit.

Personally I never want to see the worst for others and I wish the Knights luck in resting themselves a little.