Thanks Corso, CW, Cliffy and Mark for all the info. Not to criticise anyone and what they post however over time you tend to see the comments posted by Mark and Corso always coming across level headed.
My post was not meant to stir up any emotions for supporters or members or to criticise either faction. By personally attacking individual it only serves to defeat the purpose.
I am more than happy to state where I stand on the current issue's.
I was a member of the club for 5 years up until last year when I tried to renew my membership however never had my credit card debited for renewal after several attempts of contacting the club. I was going to renew my membership this year however in light of recent shenanigans I am extremely frustrated with what I am currently seeing being played out and I'm not just having a whinge. Just because anyone is or isn't a member it shouldn't preclude me or anyone from commenting providing we are not personally attacking any one individual, only logically thinking this out aloud and sharing with anyone that wants to listen and contribute a different viewpoint. I didn’t just become a member for any voting rights but purely because I saw it as a way of financially helping out the club in its time of need and because it’s been the only club that I have supported and will always support, I don’t even live in the area but it still doesn’t stop me from supporting the club so forking at $25, $50, $100 or even $200 isn't the issue for me.
I have posted on a previous post that I do not support either faction however would like both Max Delmage and the Penn's to remain involved providing they can put their differences aside and can continue coughing up the cash to ensure the long term survival of the club - We need them both working as a single unit and not as competitors and if they can't then they both need to walk away to minimise any further damage. As for the current board they need to justify their position on why they want to oust Grant Mayer or publicly state that this is all a media beat-up and offer Mayer a long term contract based on bonus incentive.
It may be only media beat-up to sell papers however, where there is smoke there is also fire. Something is going on to what we are not privy. Clontaago makes a valid point.
I see Grant Mayer as the political fall guy in all of this and to date I feel the board should overwhelming vote to support him and make and all out effort to retain his services until such time he lacks to demonstrate any added value to the club.
I would also like the board to come clean and advise why they feel it necessary to sack Grant and who they propose to replace him with and what 5 year plan any new candidate has to 1. Grow revenue 2. Sustain current and Increase new sponsorship 3. Increase and sustain supporter base.
For the past 10 years I have been sick of the instability demonstrated by the club and board members and just want to see things stabilise and get back on track rather sooner than later. It’s been fairly clear what has been played out in the open recently has been destabilising and for this reason I am placing this thought into the mind of the current members rather than to take the softly softly approach to sit back and see what happens, members need to force the change before it’s too late, Delmage and Penn need to hear it from the members and the fans and it’s not unreasonable what I am asking of them.
We have the potential to be the biggest and most influential brand in our code and also in the world providing that 1. Clubs, administration and of course especially the players all grow up and accept the responsibility that comes with the turf 2. the media stops rubbishing our game. I cannot see why the Sea Eagle can't be as big as the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool, Dallas Cowboys, New York Yankees and have world wide appeal. Unfortunately under the current NRL leadership and News Ltd ownership I believe they lack this vision for the growth of the code and as fan and talking to others in society they see that Rugby League is dying.
Will it die and be buried forever, this I cannot answer however under the current NRL administration it doesn’t give me much hope either and that the direction that they are taking the game in.
I think I have ranted on enough and ultimately I really just would love to see stability at board room level and for the Sea Eagles to be a dominate force once again. The game flourished under Arko and Quayle and it be wonderful to see those glory days come back but mindful that this is the future and how good it would be to have likeminded administration with the same vision running our game today. I will let you know when and if I renew my membership – as it won’t make me or anyone any lesser of supporter.
