While there are tens of thousands of people who helped save North Melbourne from relocating to the Gold Coast in 2007; namely its members, directors, sponsors and staff, former chairman James Brayshaw has highlighted Peter Scanlon as a key player. 

According to the former chairman, the businessman & philanthropist almost singlehandedly brought the club back from the brink. 

“The real truth has always been; without the towering backing of Peter Scanlon, it didn't matter what else happened, or who else was involved, there would have been no option but to relocate," Brayshaw said in a documentary called ‘Keeping North South’ which recounts the events leading up to, and after, North’s rejection of a move to the Gold Coast. 

"We should have a statue out the front because North Melbourne would not exist as a footy club without the great Peter Scanlon."

Now a supporter, Brayshaw said the club finally had a guaranteed future.

"To have all that uncertainty gone ... 'are we going to be around in 15 years?', or 'are we going to exist as a club?', or 'are we going to be a part of the competition?'. (In) the early 2000s, there was a real chance there wasn't going to be a North Melbourne. 

“There is no chance there won't be a North Melbourne footy club now."

Keeping North South will premiere on Fox Footy on Tuesday night at 9pm and will also be available on NMFC.com.au.