Manly owner declares Sea Eagles not for sale but Bears consortium won’t quit yet
MANLY owner Rick Penn has declared “there is no way in the world” he would sell the Sea Eagles — but that won’t stop a North Sydney Bears-aligned consortium testing their resolve.
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MANLY owner Rick Penn has declared “there is no way in the world” he would sell the Sea Eagles, but that won’t stop a North Sydney Bears-aligned consortium testing their resolve.
Under the proposal, the Bears would re-emerge and play games at North Sydney Oval and Central Coast Stadium. Meanwhile, struggling Manly — and their rich history — would be left to die.
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A high-powered consortium has been garnering support from business houses throughout the North Sydney CBD and North Sydney Leagues Club.
A fired-up Penn though stressed his club wasn’t for sale, declaring: “There’s no way in the world we are selling — all this talk is bugging the hell out of me. My goodness, we haven’t spoken to anybody. We’re not selling Manly at all.
“You can put an absolute line through it — no way. We have to protect the 72-year heritage of Manly. You just don’t walk away from that. We are the caretakers of Manly. The fans own it.”
A member of the consortium however contacted The Daily Telegraph on Tuesday, saying they would push ahead with their offer and they had already requested a meeting with the Penn family — which was knocked back.
The businessman, who asked to remain anonymous, said the group of entrepreneurs wouldn’t back down on the bid they believe could be worth between $4-5 million.
“This is an absolute no-brainer,” he said. “There is definitely interest there. North Sydney has a leagues club and they want to get back in the NRL.
“The (state) government would love it, playing games in Gosford. They could take the Sea Eagles logo for another club when the game expands.
“There are certain parties now, after the story appeared, that want the dust to settle and see how it pans out in the media and whether there is a positive spin.”
Manly are yet to receive an offer or business plan from the Bears, but Penn said it mattered little.
“I can understand the passion of the Bears, I understand the passion on the other side, and what they are trying to do, but you just can’t lose the Sea Eagles — it’s been a fantastic heritage. That’s why we bought in,” Penn said.
Asked would he consider a lucrative offer, Penn said: “All bets are off. We don’t even have a mindset for the sale. It’s never been discussed. We have major plans for Brookvale, there is some exciting stuff that will happen in the next period of time.
“But you can’t just go and do it all yourself. You have governments, so many other people you need to get things done.
“There is ability and passion in our team. This business of the team being in crisis is terribly unfair. They are a united group. I’m very proud and hopeful of the rebuild and very supportive of Trent Barrett.”
Norths remain filthy that Manly were awarded the NRL licence when the Northern Eagles joint venture collapsed in 2002.
Manly godfather Ken Arthurson left a message on the voicemail of Sea Eagles owner Scott Penn on Tuesday morning, pleading “Please Scott, tell me it’s not true.”
Arthurson told The Daily Telegraph: “It would be a shocking blow to all of us at Manly if North Sydney took over. I nearly fainted when I read the story.
“Manly has been so successful for 70-odd years. Bringing Norths in would be the crowning indignity. Not just Norths, I don’t want Manly going to anybody.
“I’ve got some fond feelings for Norths. As a matter of fact, had I still been in the game, they wouldn’t have been put out. That is the truth. They haven’t won a competition since Adam was a boy but I’ve got nothing against Norths.
“Manly is copping an awful kicking lately. Over the past 70 years, they have been best — or one of the best — in the competition. When they are down like they are now, they don’t deserve a good hammering from everyone.”