If members do not endorse the board, the club will have to call another general meeting to elect a new board.

With the Sharks' football team's fortunes on the field revived by young blood over the past two months, it has emerged that a Sydney banker is among three women vying for a position on the board.

One vacancy has opened up, with long-reigning chairman, Barry Pierce, stepping down to be replaced by Irvine, his deputy, at the board meeting on Tuesday night, while two other members are believed to be considering their positions. Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club president Greg Holland withdrew his nomination for the chairmanship in order to support Irvine.

Irvine's appointment follows the recent appointments of new board faces Ricky Surace, Paul Walker, and Craig Douglas, as well as chief executive Richard Fisk. With the controversies of the past three months behind them, the Sharks want to show a united front before mid-August, when Sutherland Shire Council is expected to examine the development application for the club's $110 million Sharks Village concept.

Irvine, a company director involved in thoroughbred breeding, property investment, five-star service consultancy, and retail, is also a founding member of the Sharks fan club, Cronulla Sutherland Supporters Club (CSSC).

"I am a Cronulla Sharks supporter, passionate and totally committed to seeing the club's best interests are taken care of,'' he said. Irvine said that although under the constitution the board could not call a new election, putting a resolution to members was "honouring the promise [Barry Pierce] made to allow members to have their say''.

"It is important during this rebuilding period that all members have a voice and that it is heard,'' Irvine said.

Yesterday afternoon, Sharks' sponsor and shire businesswoman, Madeline Tynan, indicated she may reconsider putting her name up for a board position.

"I would have serious difficulties ...accepting an 'appointment', rather than being elected by members to the board,'' she said.