Parramatta Eels salary cap: Eels legends call on chairman Steve Sharp to stand down

A CAST of players from Parramatta’s premiership-winning side in 1981 have called on former teammate Steve Sharp to immediately stand down as chairman.

A CAST of players from Parramatta’s maiden premiership-winning side in 1981 have called on former teammate Steve Sharp to immediately stand down as chairman for the betterment of the club.

As Sharp and four officials seek urgent legal action in the Supreme Court on Friday against a proposed penalty to deregister them as a result of the club’s salary cap breaches, a host of ex-Eels told The Daily Telegraph Sharp must move on.

“The club has to come first,” Eric Grothe Senior said.

Eels legends Brett Kenny and Eric Grothe Snr are calling on Steve Sharp to quit.

“That has always been the case and that is no different for these guys.

“If they have got an issue with what has been handed down to them then they should move aside and personally challenge what they need to challenge away from the scene.”

Grothe’s strong thoughts on the board have been echoed by fellow greats Peter Sterling, Brett Kenny, Peter Wynn, Ray Price, Mick Moseley and Mick Cronin.

The current situation at the Eels is particularly tough for Grothe to take given he was one of five officials recommended for disciplinary action following a damming Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing Report about the Parramatta Leagues Club last year.

It was alleged the legendary winger provided meat and raffle trays to the club without properly disclosing it to members.

This resulted in Grothe having his Leagues Club membership suspended — which has only just been reinstated the past few weeks.

“So it’s a bitter pill to swallow given the board pointed the finger at me, yet they were doing this with the cap behind the scenes,” he fired.

“I love the club and that’s why it’s hard. I haven’t been back there because I just don’t feel at home there anymore.

“To be honest it’s going to be hard to go back and feel normal about things.”

Asked if he’d consider returning to Parramatta if the board stepped down, Grothe said: “Absolutely — I’d be the first one back there.”

Legendary Eels halfback Peter Sterling believes it should be a simple decision for the board to move on and allow the side to accrue points if they are salary cap compliant.

“If their heart is in doing what’s right for the club then they only have one choice,” Sterling said frankly.

“I think that’s obvious to everybody expect maybe the guys themselves. After what has been a bit of a barrage in the last 24 hours, maybe that will contribute to changing their mind.

“I’m mates with Sharpie and Daniel Anderson and I don’t like standing up there and saying this is what you should be doing.

“But as a fan and a former player we need to move on and we can’t move on whilst they are trying to look after their independent needs at the moment.

“They might be vindicated down the track, but at the moment that can’t stand in the way of what needs to happen.”