Richmond have secured a major off-field coup by enticing highly-respected administrator Neil Balme to return to the AFL club as the general manager of football.A rebel group seeking a spill of the Tigers board claimed last week that they were chasing Balme, who has spent the past few years as Collingwoods director of football.But they have been gazumped by current chief executive Brendon Gale, who announced on Monday that Balme - a two-time premiership ruckman at Richmond - had been appointed following a full review of the clubs football department.Balme coached Melbourne for five seasons in the mid-1990s before coming into his own as a backroom football boss at Geelong and during two spells at Collingwood.Neil brings tremendous experience and judgment to the role and a clear understanding of what successful environments look like, having been a part of six grand finals and three premierships as a leading football administrator, Gale said.Balmes return to Richmond is a huge boost for Gale and the embattled board headed by president Peggy ONeal.The Focus on Football rebel group, led by cardiologist Martin Hiscock, had pinned their hopes on landing Balme as part of an otherwise ill-conceived push to restructure the club.On Monday, Gale revealed he was one step ahead of the plotters.We have been in discussions with Neil for a number of weeks, he said.He is excited by the challenge that lies ahead and clearly has a passion for a club where his football journey began. We are delighted that he has accepted this new role.Hiscock called on the board to release the full restructuring report, claiming an influence over Balmes hiring.They may not be talking to us, but they are certainly listening, Hiscock said.In taking the job, Balme has turned his back on a potential head of football role at AFL strugglers Brisbane, and freed himself from a sticky situation at the Magpies.Balme was usurped by veteran administrator Graeme Allan at Collingwood, only for Allan to be embroiled by an alleged missed drug test by No.1 draft pick Lachie Whitfield during his time at GWS Giants.Collingwood chief executive Gary Pert said they were unhappy to lose Balmes wise counsel, after he chose not to take up a newly-created coaching director role.Balmes arrival at Punt Road is part of a restructure of the Tigers backroom team.Dan Richardson loses his overarching football role to become general manager - football talent, answering to Balme, but remaining an executive.Matthew Clarke will become recruiting boss after this years draft, taking over from Francis Jackson.Port Adelaide flag-winning coach Mark Williams, who held a senior development coach role with Richmond, along with assistants Greg Mellor and Ross Smith, have already left the club ahead of the 2017 season. 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It was a victory that ended a decade of frustration for Parker and a talented French generation, which lost the final against Spain two years ago and took bronze in 2005.MK Dons manager Karl Robinson believes the punishment given to Samir Carruthers for his involvement in Tuesday afternoons unsavoury incident at Cheltenham races is a fair one. Carruthers has been fined two weeks wages and been suspended for Saturdays Championship game against Brighton for his part in the events on the first day of the festival, which earned widespread condemnation. Karl Robinson: This is a family-friendly club and we pride ourselves on that Robinson said: You gave to take the moral high ground all the time and you have to do what is right for your football club. This is a family-friendly football club and we pride ourselves on that and try and conduct ourselves in the right way. The punishment was right, some say harsh, but you have to have rules and regulations. There is a code of conduct that goes along with being a footballer. He has accepted that and he accepted his punishment like a man. He will learn some valuable lessons for the rest of his career. MK Dons midfielder Samir Carruthers apologises after being caught urinating into a glass at the Cheltenham Festival while surrounded by racegoers Bristol Citys Luke Ayling has also apologised for any embarrassment he caused his club, after he was photographed next to Carruthers on the balcony at Cheltenham.dddddddddddd Lee Johnson warns his Bristol City players that they must be doubly aware Although Ayling was not involved in any distasteful behaviour himself, City head coach Lee Johnson hopes his players will exercise caution in future.He said: Its a stark reminder. We have held a thorough investigation and there is no Bristol City player that has been involved in any indecent or bad behaviour on the day. Given the way that pictures can appear on social media these days you have got to be doubly aware in case you get caught in the crossfire. Also See: Ayling issues apology Carruthers contrite ' ' '