Parramatta directors face axe as Leagues Club pushes for EGM THE AUSTRALIAN

Parramatta chairman Steve Sharp. Picture: Gregg PorteousMoves are under way for an extraordinary general meeting to be called of the Parramatta Leagues Club so the members can hand the so-called “gang of five” directors their marching orders before the NRL can deregister them.In another day of frantic talks between parties trying to rescue the Eels administration from oblivion, it’s understood a group of fans is gathering the necessary 100 signatures for an EGM.There would be one resolution on the agenda and that would be to remove the seven-member board immediately.The leagues club has about 40,000 members, 23,000 of whom hold voting rights.Once the signatures are compiled, it will be presented to club chairman Steve Sharp, one of the five administrators under a cloud and technically suspended from the Parramatta Football Club board by the NRL under its May 3 breach notice for salary cap rorts.Sharp remains chairman of the leagues club because it is governed by NSW liquor and gaming laws and not the NRL.In essence, Sharp would be signing his own death warrant by sanctioning the EGM, which he will be obliged to do if the necessary number of signatures are gathered.The other four facing deregistration by the NRL are Eels CEO John Boulous, board vice-chairman Tom Issa, director Peter Serrao and football manager Daniel Anderson.They are due to report back to the NRL by June 3 defending themselves over allegations they did not declare third-party agreements to the NRL, which led to the club’s cap ballooning to $3 million over the limit since 2013. They were estimated to be $570,000 over for 2016 alone. Letting three players go has put the Eels under the cap but the club still faces the loss of 12 competition points.Sources say members want the meeting called before June 3 so effectively the entire board would be dissolved, including the four members not in the sights of the NRL — Geoff Gerard, Tanya Gadiel, Andrew Cordwell and Paul Garrard. A leagues club board meeting, due to be held last night was rescheduled for today. The meeting was reportedly seeking to remove Gerard, as fellow directors were frustrated at his becoming the nominal spokesman for the group.Gerard held several media interviews last weekend without the knowledge of fellow directors.Meanwhile, the players are trying to remain upbeat about their semi-final chances, made harder by a two-point loss to South Sydney last round, which means they need to win 12 of their last 14 matches to make the finals.“We still think we’re in with a great chance, we’ve just got to do our best,” prop Danny Wicks said.“Everyone is playing for each other. The belief comes from within each other. It’s just a matter of turning up and getting the points on the board.”He did hope the matters could be cleared up a little quicker.“It would be good for an ending to some degree but in the same respect we’re pretty sheltered from what goes on with the salary cap and the other mumbo jumbo. (Coach) Brad (Arthur) tells us what we need to know and that’s as far as we delve into it.”Halfback Corey Norman said he didn’t know if the public release of board transcripts and notes on the Fox Sports website on Monday might hasten changes.“It’s like it’s been for the last six weeks,” Norman said. “We just worry about who we’re playing and not worry about what’s going on over there (in administration).“That’s why we’ve been so good the last eight or nine rounds because we’re worried about who we’re playing and not what’s gone on in the media.“We have to keep that up. I guess we’d all just say the same thing — that we’re worried about who we’re playing and not the other kind of stuff.”http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/nrl/parramatta-directors-face-axe-as-leagues-club-pushes-for-egm/news-story/f9faf45a99015715d47f809a6fde6a1a

Replies

Bad Boy Bubby May 18, 2016 at 1:06pm

Needs to be done for the club to move forward as long as they are replaced with the right people
Wile E. Coyote May 18, 2016 at 1:18pm

So who will replace them?
Muttman May 18, 2016 at 1:44pm

This is all well and good. It's the replacements that scare the hell outta me.
- Xman > Muttman May 18, 2016 at 2:05pm
  
  Agree matt, if ever the term fork in the road applied then this it, forked if we go this way and we could by forked if we go that way.
Mitchy May 18, 2016 at 1:47pm

Muttman surely we have 2/3 smart business minded and club first guys who are very close to this site who could run?
Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown May 18, 2016 at 2:01pm

IS ROY SPAGNOLO ATTEMPTING A BACK DOOR ENTRY?

Can anybody tell me if this is referring to the EGM being organised by Spagnolo boy Andrew Eagleston?

Ive heard talk this is being bank rolled by Spags.

They have a plan to open the doors for their own people on the sly after the EGM.

Im all good with the rest of the directors going, thats needs to happen but all eels fans need to be very wary.

There will be old factions trying to take control, this goes with the territory.

Every prospective board member needs to be thoroughly check out, their history and intentions.
Kevin Flynn May 18, 2016 at 2:02pm

I thought I read somewhere that Phil mentioned we needed 1,000 or 10,000 signatures before we could get an EGM. Maybe I've got it wrong, it's all too confusing, but I'm happy to put my signature to the list if necessary.....
- Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown > Kevin Flynn May 18, 2016 at 2:13pm
  
  Its 100 Kev as far as im aware, the Eagleston group pushing for an was up to 60 a few weeks ago so im told, after all this drama the last few days they should have no worries getting the rest of the sigs.
  
  There were numerous groups trying to do the same EGM signature gathering, im not sure which one this is referring to but id guess its Eagleston.
  
  I agree, if they wont step down they can and will be forced out, so im for them going but Eels fans need to be real careful here about who comes in to replace them.
Eel for life May 18, 2016 at 2:08pm

If this is what's required to achieve a clean slate and start completely fresh then get it done. Too much baggage and old alliances are tearing the club to pieces.
Kevin Flynn May 18, 2016 at 2:32pm

Yes, like you Snake, and many others here, I'm fearful of who may take over. It's the one thing that really concerns me, but in saying that, surely if there is a spill some people with the right credentials will put their hands up for election?