ST GEORGE Illawarra’s Peter Doust is standing his ground in an emotional battle with the powerful Red V army who are demanding the long-serving chief executive be sacked as part of a major overhaul of the merged club.

Launching one of the largest social media campaigns any NRL club has ever endured, diehard Dragons fans are calling for immediate change under the Twitter handle #SaveOurSaints.

The frequency of the posts has resulted in the hashtag trending on Twitter, while the campaign has also gone global, with fans from the UK adding to the many replays and retweets.

And in an indication that the passion of Red V fans is spilling over, St George Illawarra staff members have been subjected to a torrent of verbal abuse, with some left in tears following a flood of irate phone calls and emails that have reached the front office.

Yet to record a victory this season, the Dragons face the Canberra Raiders away at GIO Stadium tomorrow night, a ground where they have recorded just three wins in 14 matches.

In a potential powder keg, St George Illawarra fans are planning to arrive in the nation’s capital with ‘Oust Doust’ signs and #SaveOurSaints banners.

media_camera Peter Doust and Paul McGregor are facing the fans’ fury.

The angst among fed-up Dragons fans stems primarily from:

* Failing to make the finals over the last three years;

* The decision to take four home games away to ANZ Stadium, Allianz Stadium and the Sydney Cricket Ground, while playing only eight home games each year at spiritual home grounds, Kogarah or Wollongong;

* Poor recruitment, which includes the loss of representative stars and local juniors Brett Morris to Canterbury this year and Trent Merrin to Penrith next season;

* The sacking of rookie coach Steve Price last season, only for him to be replaced by fellow rookie Paul McGregor; and

* The once mighty club requiring annual funding from the NRL to remain sustainable.

media_camera The Dragons have opened season 2015 with two straight defeats.

A small snapshot of the long list of Twitter posts are:

“Members down 35% revenue down 50% Crowds kog/gong gone Club heroes gone No hope. No voice. #SaveOurSaints #ClubInCrisis”

“The entire board is responsible for the total mess we are in, they must be held accountable. #oustdoust #SaveOurSaints”

“Enough is enough. We have stood by and watched our club fall apart for years now at the hands of the board. It’s time to #SaveOurSaints”

media_camera Dragons fans have taken their campaign onto social media.

Failing to hide from the backlash, Doust spoke to The Daily Telegraph, admitting neither he or the club would treat the fan feedback lightly.

“We understand that some of the strategic decision we’ve taken, some of our members or supporters don’t like,’’ Doust said.

“But as we’ve said for some time, a lot of it has to do with our longer-term sustainability and probability.

“We also understand that we’re fortunate to have one of the most passionate supporter bases in the game and in sport. So on one hand we can’t like it when times are good and then dislike it when times are not so good.

“So in that context I’ve got to be prepared to listen. I’m not going to put my head in the sand and not listen.’’

Appointed as CEO of the Dragons in July 2000, Doust is the longest running CEO in the game. But he isn’t going anywhere.

“I’m evaluated by the board and I know the fans might think that is one of the problems as well,’’ Doust said.

“But I’m also evaluated by the very skilled NRL as well and the Independent Commission. Would they be supporting our direction and our plan if we were unplanned or not clear on where we are headed?

“The answer is definitely not.’’