Back to Belmore Patron Luke Brailey will stand for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs board of directors. In a widely anticipated but historic announcement, the organisation’s founding President officially threw his hat into the race yesterday for a spot on the club’s seven-member board after receiving the official backing of the Back to Belmore executive committee at the monthly meeting last week.

There has been speculation Mr Brailey would contest a seat on the Bulldogs board of directors – and he confirmed it on social media. Announcing his candidacy on Instagram yesterday afternoon, Mr Brailey said he was running "because I want to give Back to Belmore a strong voice on the Bulldogs board of directors to be heard effectively. I want to make a difference to bring about change and ensure that the Bulldogs’ spiritual home [Belmore Sports Ground] is safeguarded for future generations."

"For the past 13 years, I have served the Canterbury-Bankstown district with pride, first as President of Back to Belmore for almost a decade and most recently as Patron of the organisation. I have consistently promoted the advancement of Belmore Sports Ground as a premier sporting venue even when it wasn’t considered popular or fashionable," he said.

"It is essential that Back to Belmore is represented on the board. We are too big to be ignored. We will not be treated like we don’t exist and we will not be taken for granted. Our voice should be heard. This race is all about Belmore’s future. Together, we can make it happen. I’m in."

Mr Brailey said he was excited about the challenge ahead and believed there should be broader community representation on the Bulldogs board because of its diverse responsibilities to the Canterbury-Bankstown district.

Back to Belmore President Luke Cevolani yesterday supported Mr Brailey’s momentous decision: "Back to Belmore is now seeking appropriate representation on the Bulldogs board of directors and I commend my predecessor on his determination to contest a seat on the board under the Back to Belmore banner."

"The organisation needs a strong voice on the Bulldogs board. Luke is a superior choice to be that voice. By every conceivable measure, he is the best bet for voting members who truly care about Belmore Sports Ground," he said.

"The Back to Belmore executive committee has an instinctive knowledge of what Luke represents. He was born at Canterbury Hospital and has spent his entire life within a stone’s throw of the historic venue. He is an unabashed advocate for the revitalisation of Belmore Sports Ground and has never been afraid in stating his views, even when many thought he was wasting his time and flogging a dead horse."

If successful, Mr Brailey would be the first Back to Belmore representative ever elected to the Bulldogs board of directors. The vote is scheduled to take place at the Bulldogs Annual General Meeting on Sunday, 11 February next year.