11/09/2007 12:43 PM
the Saints had the lowest revenue last season of any AFL club, the lowest staff numbers and second-lowest spending on recruiting.
"Quite often it comes down to just manpower. You've got to get people to actually go and watch these kids play, and when you've got Johnny Beveridge in a car driving around the country because he can't fly, it's very hard to get around."
Burke said the fact there had been five chief executives in past seven years and four chief financial officers in past five years suggested the administration is "just getting by".
"You add all those things; it's not really a very sustainable future," he said.
"To sit back and notice some obvious problems with that club and do nothing, to me, is not displaying loyalty.
"By doing this I don't think I'm being disloyal in any way shape or form, I think I'm being loyal in that I'm putting my name out there, trying to lead some change which is not always an easy thing to do.
"The facts will come out that the picture is not as rosy as some people like to paint and it's very easy to sit on your hands and do nothing. Sometimes you've got to stand up and be counted."
Thompson said he had not spoken to his former team-mates about being involved in 'St Kilda Footy First' but decided it was the right thing for himself personally.
"I got this opportunity and I took it," Thompson said.
"You've got to take a stand at some point and I've decided that now is the right time."
The St Kilda Football Club has said it wants to contact 'St Kilda Footy First' to find out more about its challenge and that no further comment would be made.