How good is this Parra boys are sacrificing money to stay at the club.

By Josh Massoud From: The Daily Telegraph September 29,BLUE and gold battler Kevin Kingston has personified the incredible camaraderie that's driving Parramatta's fairytale premiership charge, offering to hand back $50,000 worth of match payments to stay an Eel.And the Grand Final week mateship has also inspired winger Eric Grothe, who is pleading with Parramatta officials to be given a pay-cut next year so his close friend can remain at the club in 2010.Thanks to a wicked salary cap quirk, Sunday's decider at ANZ Stadium shapes as Kingston's Parramatta swan song.Eels CEO Paul Osborne and coach Daniel Anderson are desperate to keep him, but are snookered because NRL rules state that match payments must be included in the following year's cap.It's believed the former Cronulla rake - whose off-the-bench injections have been crucial to Parramatta's barnstorming run - has earned about $50,000 from his 18 appearances this season.If Kingston stayed, that money would be counted towards Parramatta's 2010 cap - and the Eels simply don't have the room after signing representative recruitsTimana Tahu, Justin Poore and Shane Shackleton.Kingston's dashing form has solicited a modest offer from neighbouring rivals Penrith, but the 26-year-old is now emotionally tied to Parramatta and is willing to make a huge personal sacrifice to stay.At Saturday's pool recovery session, Kingston approached chairman Roy Spagnolo and offered to waive his entire 2009 match payments so Parramatta can accommodate him next year."I'll do anything to keep playing rugby league here and I asked Roy if that's something I could do,'' he told The Daily Telegraph. "I spoke to my wife (Mel) after the win over the Bulldogs about it. We had quite a long chat and decided together that it was something we'd be willing to do."t's definitely not beneficial financially, but I just want to stay here. My heart is at Parramatta and we're really building something special at this club. I'm willing to make the sacrifice so I don't have regrets. I suppose it's up to [salary cap auditor] Ian Schubert now.''Released from Cronulla 12 months early after being told he would not play NRL, Kingston only linked with Parramatta on an incentive-based deal last November. But the Queensland product has quickly become popular with his new teammates, none more so than fellow Sutherland Shire resident Grothe.They began driving to training and matches together after just one session and now spend time outside football listening to live music and drinking coffee.Their friendship last week inspired Grothe to beg club officials to cut his 2010 salary on Kingston's behalf, a heart-warming gesture that stirs memories of Michael Crocker's offer to play in England so Melbourne could keep good mate Clint Newton after the 2007 Grand Final."It's such a nice thing of Eric, but I don't want him to do that,'' Kingston said. "Eric shouldn't suffer financially for me.''This is agreat story not to many nrl PLAYERS PUT THE CLUB BEFORE THERE PAY PACKETS, Just goes to show the turn around Ozzy, Ando and co have had on the club.IM SO PROUD TO BE AN EELS SUPPORTER GO THE MIGHTY EELS.

"Yep, that's a recipe for disaster. With no brown next year we're a high chance of spoonville. Cant see Mitch waiting out his prime to see if we come good. We need to turn it around fast or we'll be stuck in the doldrums for a few years. "

Replies

Wild_Eels September 29, 2009 at 8:03am

Unreal, Kinga loves Parra and we need player like him. Well I think we fan should do something about it. Come on guys come up with some idea.
GOLDEEL September 29, 2009 at 8:07am

There has to be at least 50000 eels suporters out there if we all throw in $1.00 each we can donate it to Kingston for being such a good loyal bloke
- Ross Williams > GOLDEEL September 29, 2009 at 8:45am
  
  I'd chip in$ 20.00.
ElDoughan September 29, 2009 at 8:13am

grothe is a champ player and a champ bloke as is kinga very nice story
Ross Williams September 29, 2009 at 8:44am

I think we really need to keep him I think he adds alot of spark.The game as a whole cant afford to lose players like him.Its great to see that spirit at our club though.
1Eyed Eel September 29, 2009 at 8:54am

This is what dynasties are built on!
Number One Eel Fan September 29, 2009 at 9:35am

Man!!!! sob sob can you feel the man love here sob sob!

really mate that is really awesome to here the dedication coming to the fore
Slaytanic September 29, 2009 at 9:37am

That's awesome, finally good to see some team culture being shown at the club. Hopefully that rubs off on guys like Mateo and Inu who at times earlier in the year gave the impression it was more about them than the team.
RealEel September 29, 2009 at 9:47am

We've said it before in previous bloggs, with the salary cap pressures of modern rugby league, you need good players that are willing to stay for less because they want to be a part of the team. Great job DA & Ozzy!
Adam Paden September 29, 2009 at 10:08am

Kingston is a real deal Eel he deserves a spot in the team.