Craig Young has doubled down on his decision to publicly support Brett Finch, but has resigned as chairman of the St George Illawarra board after his unauthorised decision to write a character reference for the disgraced ex-NRL player on Dragons letterhead.
In a statement, Young said it had been an "error in judgement" to use club letterhead to voice his support for Finch, who has been on bail since pleading guilty to one count of using a carriage service to transmit, publish or promote child abuse.
Finch's defence claimed the former premiership-winning playmaker only sent child abuse messages in an attempt to procure drugs.
Craig described Finch as a "decent young man who has made a genuine mistake" in his letter and addressed Finch's mental health struggles.
The Dragons distanced themselves from Young's decision to support Finch and Monday afternoon, the club accepted his resignation.
WIN CEO Andrew Lancaster has been appointed the club's new chairperson.
"I believe this is the appropriate action, given my individual decision to provide a personal reference on official letterhead, for which I have already apologised," Young said in a statement relating to his resignation.
"I regret my error in judgement to provide the reference on letterhead, at the request of legal representatives.
"I do not regret my decision to provide a character reference for a long-time family friend as to his character and behaviour, prior to a damaging addiction."
