Steve Sharp aware of Parramatta Eels privatization bid.

CHRIS BARRETTThe scene has been set for what shapes as one of the most turbulent weeks in Parramatta's history, with the Eels claiming that plotters are awaiting the release of the NRL's salary cap findings to "come out of the long grass and do the privatisation deed".On Tuesday the NRL is expected to announce the outcome of the Integrity Unit's investigation into Parramatta's third-party deals, a development that depending on the severity of any penalty determined by chief executive Todd Greenberg could cripple an otherwise promising season.Parramatta chairman Steve Sharp declared on Sunday the club was ready to appeal sanctions in the courts, arguing they have not been afforded "natural justice and procedural fairness". Sources close to the board say they have already assembled a team of barristers ready to take on League Central.Advertisement"" style="margin: 0px auto; padding: 0px; font-size: 0px; display: block; border: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;">Taking a stand: Bill Moss said last year that privatisation was the only way forward.Photo: Christopher PearceAs they await a breach notice directors are also readying to front members at Monday night's annual general meeting of Parramatta Leagues Club at which the board, which runs the Eels, will attempt to to fend off what they believe is a behind-the-scenes campaign to capitalise on the cap drama and privatise the NRL club."It's an ever-present concern," Sharp said. "Right now the proponents are hoping the salary cap investigation weakens the club so they can come out of the long grass and do the privatisation deed."They won't utter his name publicly but members of the Eels hierarchy say they are wary of former Macquarie Bank executive Bill Moss, who told Fairfax Media last year he would "be happy to be part of a syndicate"to facilitate privatisation, believing it to be the only way forward for a club beset by internal politics and dysfunction in recent years.It is unclear whether Moss retains a desire to be involved in changing the ownership structure of the Eels, and he did not return calls on Sunday.However, the administration's fear about a takeover bid on the back of salary cap sanctions has led it to take a resolution to Monday's AGM that, if approved, would make the club a core property and give members more say in any attempt to sell it off.That proposal needs a 50 per cent vote to pass, but if it does any future board would have to gain a 75 per cent majority of Leagues Club members' approval to offload part or all of the Eels. At present they can theoretically do so without consulting the membership base."We believe there is a campaign to privatise the Eels," Sharp said. "We are against that. Completely against it. The resolution sends this message as well as making any future attempts to privatise the Eels much more difficult. Such a decision needs to be made by the community not a board. "Part of the current board's resilience comes from wanting to stop this agenda. There is a 'privatisation faction', it's no secret, but I believe that any ownership issues should be determined by our members."Ironically, two years ago Sharp attempted to bring Moss onto the board as an independent director before the proposal was rejected by members at a typically heated AGM. On Sunday, the chairman said the Eels' request to speak to Greenberg regarding their concerns about the cap investigation had not been met."It is the club's intention to analyse in detail any decision," Sharp told members in an email sent on Sunday afternoon. "We want to make sure that the investigation has treated our club fairly. We have asked and continue to ask for natural justice and procedural fairness. "This means we are asking for a fair hearing. For allegations to be tested. That we have the chance to face our accusers. That if there are penalties then they are appropriate to the alleged breaches. These are the reasons why we sought assurances from the NRL that we will be allowed the chance to discuss our concerns about the investigation before any decisions were made. To date this has been denied."As a result our club also reserves all of our legal rights. Rights which we will assert if we believe we have not been treated fairly. We are prepared to fight through the courts if need be."An NRL spokesman said the Eels had been given ample opportunity to provide any information to the investigation.

First off the core property motion put forward is a smart and honest one, ive been looking into it for a while now, there are no downsides, it stops an attempt to steal the franchise from under the feet of the members, i think its in the best interests of the club, i hope it gets up and it should, i understand the core property wording has been tweeked to be a bit more appropriate, its a good motion.

Second off on Bill Moss, after all this cap drama i'll be honest im no longer for Bill to be involved in the running of the club and i think it would be dangerous to have him owning it, it would be another toxic faction, Bill has lots of enemies in the club, and ive absolutely no reason to believe he wouldnt spark a new war, in fact im 100% certain of it, the war is already brewing as you can see here and has been brewing for a long time.

Once a faction buys the club we are stuck with them.

Im not saying Bills not a good bloke, ive had contact with Bill, he was very polite and well articulated, nothing personal at all, im just sick of the factions, anybody who has a quarter of an idea can read between the lines regarding certain peoples involvement in the leaks and dramas we have seen over the last 6 -12 months.

Im not sure Bills health would be up to it regardless, i'd like to put a call out to Bill to come on and answer a few questions?

This articles been timed for the AGM and fair enough, i do think the boards punching at shadows over this atm but it doesnt mean somebody isnt going to put something together for a coup at any time down the track, its better to dot your i's and cross your t's early than get burnt later.

No more long standing factions.

"Point is , he'll hardly be getting Moses money just cause he gets to kick. . We aren't shy to throw a decent paycheque out there and we certainly have some. If we offered that clown that kinda coin , I'm sure we wouldn't have been offering Peasant…"

"He is 35 this year but man he is still playing some good footy. But do you take the risk that father time creeps up right when we get him? Garrick is replacing Nawaqanitawase."

Replies

Nutcracker May 2, 2016 at 12:15am

It's like watching a car crash. I know it's going to be terrible but I can't look away.

Sharpy threw down the gauntlet by sending out that member's email.

And the NRL just threw it straight back to us. I think we could be in trouble.
Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown May 2, 2016 at 12:30am

First off the core property motion put forward is a smart and honest one, ive been looking into it for a while now, there are no downsides, it stops an attempt to steal the franchise from under the feet of the members, i think its in the best interests of the club, i hope it gets up and it should, i understand the core property wording has been tweeked to be a bit more appropriate, its a good motion.

Second off on Bill Moss, after all this cap drama i'll be honest im no longer for Bill to be involved in the running of the club and i think it would be dangerous to have him owning it, it would be another toxic faction, Bill has lots of enemies in the club, and ive absolutely no reason to believe he wouldnt spark a new war, in fact im 100% certain of it, the war is already brewing as you can see here and has been brewing for a long time.

Once a faction buys the club we are stuck with them.

Im not saying Bills not a good bloke, ive had contact with Bill, he was very polite and well articulated, nothing personal at all, im just sick of the factions, anybody who has a quarter of an idea can read between the lines regarding certain peoples involvement in the leaks and dramas we have seen over the last 6 -12 months.

Im not sure Bills health would be up to it regardless, i'd like to put a call out to Bill to come on and answer a few questions?

This articles been timed for the AGM and fair enough, i do think the boards punching at shadows over this atm but it doesnt mean somebody isnt going to put something together for a coup at any time down the track, its better to dot your i's and cross your t's early than get burnt later.

No more long standing factions.
slip May 2, 2016 at 12:33am

However brings "premierships" gets my vote. It's that simple.
- Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown > slip May 2, 2016 at 12:46am
  
  Slip they can only bring premierships AFTER they are voted in lol, have you got a crystal ball you are keeping secret?
CuddlePuffKenny May 2, 2016 at 12:55am

:)
slip May 2, 2016 at 1:03am

I always thought Bill Moss was the right person. A Parramatta diehard and an intelligent businessman. Similar to Nick Politis. At the moment, it would appear for all of Sharps efforts, it means nothing. Maybe no past player should be involved anymore.
- Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown > slip May 2, 2016 at 1:25am
  
  A parra die hard?
  
  Mate he wasnt even a member when he tried to get on the board, i would have thought a bloke whos not short on cash would have been a member if he had aspirations of getting on the board.
- Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown > slip May 2, 2016 at 1:28am
  
  I wonder how long Politis was a member of Easts before he was running the show?
  
  I can promise you Nick would have cared enough to be a member.
- colin hussey > slip May 2, 2016 at 1:22pm
  
  Surelly there is room to have former RL players involved with a RL club.
  
  Certainly in the pre professional full time RL players days, many of the players had varying jobs & qualifications, many were truck drivers & Garbo's & tradesmen some with their own business, but there were others who were doctor's (Peponis, & Nathan ? ex rabbitoh & eels player who was also a doctor, would they be ruled out?
  
  These days there are a lot studying for many different degrees, as well as playing RL, so they should be ruled out in the future??? Privatisation with perhaps a couple of pro's who follow a certain team may be attractive, but at what cost, think Nathan Tinkler & where the Knights are now as a result, the NRL is in charge there & don't they sit pretty on the table, here we have a bunch of so called misfits or drongo's & in 5th spot, with own training ground & facilities that are getting better.
  
  We currently only have 2 ex players on the board of directors.
Alan Hunt May 2, 2016 at 6:11am

So this article was for the people who don't go to movie night???

of 3

This reply was deleted.

Eels Blogs

Steve Sharp aware of Parramatta Eels privatization bid.

Replies

More stuff to read

Eels blogs

Matterson’s back @ training today. What now.

Eels jerseys 6:00 today 👀

New signing at training ??? New guy

Parramatta Eels extend Josh Addo-Carr

Note: this page contains paid content.

Social Blogs

Remberance Day

NAS Not Saying No

Eels offer to Jonah pezet

Any news on who parra

Note: this page contains paid content.