Peters in Manly firing line
By Dean Ritchie | February 18, 2009
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/sport/nrl/story/0,26799,25070273-5016307,00.html
THE Battle of Brookvale has taken another explosive twist with revelations co-owner Max Delmege was looking to sack veteran Manly official and former Sea Eagles player Peter "Zorba" Peters.
But the move caused enormous angst last night with Sea Eagles legends - and club godfather Ken Arthurson - demanding Peters retain his job at Manly as media and events manager.
Delmege remains angry that Peters accused him on radio last weekend of being "un-Manly'' over a backflip on the future of CEO Grant Mayer.
There is talk of a peace deal at Brookvale between the warring owners, the Penn and Delmege families. Some suggest Peters could join Mayer as a victim in the bloodshed.
But former Manly prop Mark Carroll said: "Zorba is known as 'The King' at Manly. He is a straight-shooter and says a lot of stuff tongue in cheek. It's verbal diarrhoea but he doesn't mean anything by it. But no way in the world would you want to see him out of the joint.
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"Zorba is the glue at Manly - the bloke you go to when you need something done. He has so many contacts - he knows everyone in the game.''
Former Manly captain Max Krilich also supported Peters. "Zorba is Manly through and through. I have known him for 40 years. He has helped me a lot over the years as he has with many people in the Manly area.
"I'm sorry he has fallen out with one of the groups involved at the club. But it would hard to replace someone of his experience.''
Graham Eadie, the great Manly fullback, said he owes Peters. "I know when I fell on hard times seven or eight years ago, Zorba helped me out,'' he said. "He has been there since I arrived in 1971. He played in the 1973 grand final and has virtually been there ever since.
"You can't be there that long and not have Manly in your veins. Zorba has contributed a lot to the club on and off the field.''
Arthurson added: "Zorba is an integral part of the club. I don't think anyone should consider getting rid of him. He is a vital part of Manly.''
Peters said his comments on radio were as a journalist, not a club official. "Whatever happens will happen. But what I said on Sunday was a journalist speaking. The club has always allowed me to participate in my journalistic endeavours, going way back Ken Arthurson and a multitude of officials ever since.
"But right now I want to give all my support to Manly winning the WCC. It would be a great coup for us to do. The club is bigger than any individual.''
