Businessman Gary Barnier,who co-authored the report with former NRL chief financial officer Tony Crawford that led to the Tigers board being dissolved,wants a clear direction from the Holman Barnes Group,the Tigers’ majority owner,after a boardroom reshuffle.
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Julie Romero stood against and toppled Wests Ashfield and Holman Barnes Group chair Tony Andreacchio after the licensed club’s AGM last weekend. Andreacchio,who has been re-elected to the board for a further three years,helped commission the review.
The Holman Barnes Group directors have been divided by the board change,which included musician Dennis Burgess being installed as deputy chair.
Barnier said he harboured concerns over whether the Holman Barnes Group’s new leadership apex still supported the sweeping changes at the club.
“Wests Ashfield,like any organisation,has the right to make its own decisions,” Barnier said. “It has its own governance,and if they want to vote for a new chair,that’s their business.
The Wests Tigers during their win over the Sharks.Getty
“At the same time,when that happens after a review has been done and recommendations are made,and a new strategy is emerging for the Wests Tigers,it suggests there is some doubt creeping in and there is concern from the owners.
“The new chair and new deputy chair really need to come out strongly and put their position as to the review and to the strategy that is emerging for Wests Tigers.”
In a text message on Wednesday night,Romero told theHerald:“Holman Barnes Group approved and support the review.”
The review led to the most tumultuous day in the club’s history with former NSW premier Barry O’Farrell taking over as interim Tigers chairman and veteran administrator Shane Richardson as chief executive.
Former chairman Lee Hagipantelis and the and chief executive Justin Pascoe resigned.
O’Farrell and Richardson were only given temporary terms after the review’s completion. O’Farrell has already declared he beyond his initial six-month assignment.
Richardson has pledged the Tigers in the future unless the historic venue is given urgent upgrades.
The Tigers have already opened an office in Campbelltown as part of an increased commitment to south-west Sydney,and Richardson has suggested the club will consider playing more games at CommBank Stadium or Accor Stadium.
Tigers players leapt to the defence of the grand old ground on Wednesday.
“It’s got a lot of history,and it’s rich,” Tigers forward Isaiah Papali’i said. “Whatever happens,if it does have to go,that’d be sad.
“I think a lot of the boys grew up playing a lot of[junior] finals footy there. There’s a lot of memories for a lot of boys,and I’m included in that. If it does go,that’d be sad.
“I think running out at the start of the game[at Leichhardt],it was pretty crazy. I didn’t realise how full the hill would be. Seeing the fans turn up in such a large number was cool and gave me a bit of energy. I did really appreciate that,the atmosphere that they brought.”
Said Bud Sullivan:“It obviously helps having a home-ground advantage,but that’s sort of out of our control. Whatever the club chooses is going to be best for the club. It’ll be interesting to see what they do.”
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