“The Godfather” of Manly, Ken Arthurson, said Ms Berejiklian — the Sea Eagles’ No. 1 ticket holder — should support the team’s wishes to stay in Brookvale and finally fulfil the long-promised funding for a Lottoland upgrade.

TAKE OUR POLL

“As the No. 1 ticket holder, I would suggest that she should throw her support behind Brookvale Oval (now known as Lottoland),” he said.

“I think it is a disgrace that some money hasn’t been put into it to bring it up to the standard of other areas.”

The business case — prepared by KPMG to justify the knockdown and rebuild of Allianz Stadium and refurbishment of ANZ Stadium — suggested games be moved from Brookvale to increase patronage at the Moore Park ground when completed.

It also suggested deterioration by neglect, to force the Sea Eagles to the new stadium.

“In line with the stadia strategy, the government has stated its commitment to not fund non-state-owned venues,” the report said.

“As such, these Sydney-based teams will begin to require new venues to host home games as their stadia become unsuitable.”

Former Manly mayor Jean Hay, a Sea Eagles Angel with strong Liberal Party ties, said she would approach the Premier to get support for home games to remain.

“I would be really devastated to see them leave Brookvale Oval,” she said.

“It has been our spiritual home since 1947, when they first entered the comp.

“And unfortunately, supporters don’t seem to be really good travellers.

“Over the years the previous state governments have spent millions on other home grounds, in Kogarah and, more recently, Parramatta, but we have always been neglected.”

Ms Berejiklian spent much of her childhood in Manly with her family. Her uncle owned a jewellery store on The Corso.

“As Manly’s No. 1 supporter and as a girl born in Manly Hospital, I would like to see her help the Sea Eagles in Brookvale,” Ms Hay said.

The Sea Eagles believe they were promised $10 million by former premier Mike Baird.

The club had been banking on the money along with $12.5 million promised by Warringah MP Tony Abbott to upgrade its facilities.

It had also applied to upgrade the club’s Narrabeen training facility at Sydney Academy of Sport as part of a centre of excellence fund.

It has since been said by Sports Minister Stuart Ayres that only the centre of excellence fund was available. Ms Hay took umbrage at suggestions the $10 million commitment was part of the centre of excellence grant.

”Mike publicly promised the $10 million, so I think Gladys should honour that commitment” Ms Hay said.

“It’s not at all the same pool of money. We are not that silly over here, we are actually quite good at doing maths.”

Former prime minister, Mr Abbott, bristled at suggestions of Sea Eagles home games being played at Allianz.

“In common with the tens of thousands of Sea Eagles fans, I would be dismayed to the extreme by any plan to move games away from Brookie,” he said.

Mr Abbott, who was the No. 1 ticket holder before Ms Berejiklian, said: “I don’t give direct advice to the Premier but obviously if you are a supporter of the Sea Eagles you should support their home ground.”

Campaigning for MP James Griffin in the Manly by-election last April, Ms Berejiklian promised to honour all of her predecessor’s commitments to Manly.

“They (residents) have still got the Premier — I was born in Manly Hospital,” she said at the time.

When asked about Mr Baird’s promises, she said: “They will all happen.”

The Premier was approached but did not provide comment on moving Manly games to Moore Park. Neither did Wakehurst MP Brad Hazzard, whose electorate the oval is in.

Manly MP Mr Griffin said the centres of excellence funding was still available.

“I understand the council are working with the Sea Eagles for some sort of draft plan for the Brookvale precinct,” he said.

“If there is some sort of proposal that makes it financially appealing to do something to the oval and wider areas, at that point of course, I would be advocating on behalf of the club.”

THE QUESTIONS WE ASKED THE PREMIER … WHICH WENT UNANSWERED

The Manly Daily approached Ms Berejiklian’s office to get her comments. But she did not respond. We asked:

● As the No. 1 ticket holder for Manly Sea Eagles home games, can Ms Berejiklian tell us whether she is for or against Manly Sea Eagles playing home games at Allianz Stadium?

● As the No. 1 ticket holder, how many home games of the Sea Eagles has she attended?

● The KPMG report suggests an approach of deterioration by neglect. Does this put the funding for a stadium upgrade in jeopardy?

● The business case, which was used to justify the rebuild of Allianz Stadium and refurbishment of ANZ Stadium, suggests the move to Allianz Stadium is: “In line with the stadia strategy, the government has stated its commitment to not fund non-state- owned venues. As such, these Sydney-based teams will begin to require new venues to host home games as their stadia becomes unsuitable for hosting national sporting competitions.” This would imply that the strategy is to stop funding stadiums such as Lottoland. Does this mean the $10 million to match with the Federal Government’s $10 million (now $12.5 million) is off the table?

● What does it mean for the centres of excellence plan, should the actions of this report be put in place?

● Ms Berejiklian told the Manly Daily that everything former premier Mike Baird had promised would be delivered. However, $10 million was promised for an upgrade and the Sea Eagles could apply separately for a slice of the centres of excellence fund under Mr Baird. Now it appears to be only the $10 million under the centres for excellence. Why is this the case?