The backroom civil war that threatens to engulf the Manly Sea Eagles
A DAY after declaring his intention to “modernise” Manly, new allegations have emerged about CEO Tim Cleary’s management of staff as his war with club legend Bob Fulton threatens to explode.
Sea Eagles
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sea Eagles. Followed categories will be added to My News.
CLEARY SPEAKS: Sacking was “a business decision”
MORE DRAMA: Manly legend labels fans “dummies and cowards”
A DAY after declaring his intention to “modernise” Manly, new allegations have emerged about chief executive Tim Cleary’s management of staff at the club.
The Sea Eagles are about to implode spectacularly in the front office as the bitter war between club legend Bob Fulton and Cleary, just eight weeks into the job, heats up.
Allegations of questionable workplace behaviour towards two female staff members have undermined Cleary’s intentions stated on Wednesday of a new, modern era of governance for the Sea Eagles.
Sea Eagles chairman Scott Penn has hired human resources consultants and yesterday addressed staff.
“The most important thing is that we find a fix as soon as possible,” Penn said.
“We want to be talked about for the right reasons. This shouldn’t even be out there to be honest.”
The first public volley came a week ago when Cleary sacked Fulton’s daughter Kristie from the club front office, an action which now threatens to end in a wrongful dismissal lawsuit.
Mr Cleary told the Manly Daily it was one of the realities which accompanies his role.
“It was nothing personal against Kristie, it was purely a business decision,’’ he said.
“I want the club to be run in a certain way, that is my job as CEO.
However Cleary had previously been involved in a dispute with another female staff member after he invited controversial NRL backroom figure Eddie Obeid Jr into the Manly chairman’s box for the Sea Eagles’ round one game against Parramatta and later criticised a staffer who asked Obeid Jr who he was.
That woman, Jacky McCauley, is now on stress leave.
McCauley was working in the chairman’s box at Manly’s game against the Eels when she returned to find new guests had arrived in the box.
After introducing herself, the party said they were there as guests of chief executive Tim Cleary.
McCauley, who was assisting Kristie Fulton in the box, then asked their names and company.
LEAGUE CENTRAL PODCAST: Buzz Rothfield, Michael Carayannis and Fiona Bollen want more set plays in league, and are the Knights back?
Subscribe to League Central podcasts in iTunes and don’t miss any NRL news
“That’s what I was told to do, more from a business development point of view,” she said.
One introduced himself as Eddie Obeid, the son of jailed Labor powerbroker Eddie Obeid Sr.
Another in the party at the opening match was John Hall, the partner of Lussick’s sister Bonnie.
Obeid Jr was recently mentioned in the investigation into Parramatta’s salary cap rorts where it was alleged he provided a heavily discounted apartment to Darcy Lussick, now with the Sea Eagles, as well as cash payments to Chris Sandow and Will Hopoate.
There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by Mr Obeid Jr.
The day after the game McCauley was hauled in to Cleary’s office.
“He was ropeable,” McCauley said.
“He said he had appalling feedback from his guests about the way they were treated and that they were made to feel like second-class citizens because they were asked their names.
“He told Kristie [Fulton] that, with his guests, the only information that we needed were that they were his guests and that was all that we needed.
“He was, for want of a better word, pissed off.”
It’s believed Cleary was working on a deal in China with the Penns and Obeid Jr.
Obeid Jr’s appearance in the Manly chairman’s box, as a guest of the Sea Eagles chief executive, set off a small-bell alarm inside NRL headquarters.
The NRL was on Wednesday night concerned but cautious at Obeid Jr’s appearance as a guest of the chief executive.
“Ultimately it is a matter for the clubs to exercise sound judgment about the people they host at match-day functions,” an NRL spokesman said.
“The Integrity Unit only becomes involved if there is a potential breach of the rules.”
Penn said he had no idea Obeid Jr was there and did not meet him.
“There’s nothing in it. He’s a Parramatta supporter.”
McCauley defended asking the party their names, saying it was sound business practice as the club seeks to identify potential new sponsors.
“I told him I was asking their names from a business development point of view,” she said.
“That’s what we do.”
The clearest indication yet that the war between Cleary and Fulton was getting personal came when McCauley received a call from Cleary to check her welfare.
“He said with everything that is happening you would feel as though you are caught in the middle,” she said.
“He said ‘We need to move on. If you’re on my team that’s fine, if you’re not on my team we’ll have to deal with that’.”
After working as the club’s football manager last season McCauley was recently rejected for a job as the club’s welfare officer after Cleary initially encouraged her to apply for the role.
“He told me I could have a certain positioned within the club that I wanted and that he told me in December I would be good at,” she said.
“I was given the impression that I would move towards welfare.
Obviously I had a close relationship with the players because I was with the on a daily basis [as football manager].
“The transition to welfare would have been an easy one and one I was looking forward to. Tim indicated that was where my strength was.
“When I was looking to get something definite or confirmed he said no.”
“That was in January. There’s still no welfare person.”
MANLY’S DESCENT INTO CHAOS
THE NEW BOSS MOVES IN
Joe Kelly is appointed as Manly CEO, replacing David Perry.
THE DCE DEBACLE
Daly Cherry-Evans announces he’s signed with the Gold Coast Titans for 2016. He backflips on the deal on June 3, signing an eight- year deal with Manly in what is the biggest contract in Australian rugby league history.
BOZO’S BIG RETURN
The club announces that Bob Fulton will return to the club after a 15-year absence as a strategic consultant.
A QUICK FIX?
Manly are defeated 20-8 by the Rabbitohs at ANZ Stadium. This game is later investigated due to suspicions of match-fixing.
STAR WALKS OUT
Kieran Foran signs with Parramatta. He plays his final match for the club on September 6th.
DODGY DEAL DEFENDED
Then Parramatta prop Darcy Lussick defends his relationship with Eddie Obeid Jnr, claiming in the Sydney Morning Herald he’s just a “regular friend” after it was revealed Lussick bought an apartment in Top Ryde from Obeid jnr’s family company at a discounted price. Lussick signed a three-year deal to return to Manly on 18 August.
CHANGING OF THE GUARD
Geoff Toovey is sacked as Manly coach. He was allowed to see out the season before being replaced by Trent Barrett. Toovey took over from Des Hasler following the 2011 grand final victory and steered the club to three straight finals series, including the 2013 grand final. He finished with a record of 61 victories from 105 matches in charge.
ANOTHER SUSPICIOUS MATCH?
Manly are defeated 20-16 by Parramatta at Brookvale Oval. This game is later investigated due to suspicions of match-fixing.
TOOVEY SHOWN THE DOOR
Toovey coaches his final game for the club, a 14-12 victory over Cronulla. The Sea Eagles finish the season in 9th.
CONTRACT SCANDAL IGNITES
The Sea Eagles sign star forward Martin Taupau from the Tigers. In an embarrassing bungle, Taupau’s contract is accidentally sent to Canadian theatre critic J.Kelly Nestruck instead of CEO Joe Kelly. The Sea Eagles hail Taupau as “one of the club’s biggest signings since Malcolm Reilly”.
API UNDER FIRE
Manly recruit Apisai Koroisau has been charged by police for illegally entering a Bondi property prior to Christmas.
BARRETT’S BAPTISM OF FIRE
Barrett makes his debut as Manly coach, a 28-6 defeat to Canterbury. The Sea Eagles finish the year in 13th position, their worst result since 2004.
THIRD GAME UNDER SCRUTINY
Manly are defeated 22-10 by Parramatta at Brookvale Oval. This game is later investigated due to suspicions of match-fixing.
END OF AN ERA
Club legend and 2011 premiership captain Jamie Lyon announces he will retire at the end of the season.
PLAYERS BANNED FROM BROTHEL, PORN KINGS
The Daily Telegraph reveals senior Manly officials warned players to stop socialising with ex-brothel baron Eddie Hayson and porn shop magnate Con Ange.
WALKER COPS HUGE FINE
Sea Eagles star Dylan Walker was fined $10,000 and issued a breach notice after he injured his hand punching the front door of his northern beaches apartment following a night out with teammates.
MANLY GAMES INVESTIGATED
With the backing of the NSW Crime Commission, detectives from Strike Force Nuralda will investigate alleged match-fixing in three NRL games over the past two seasons, all involving Manly Sea Eagles.
KELLY MAKES WAY FOR CLEARY
Joe Kelly resigns as CEO and is replaced by Tim Cleary, the principal of St Augustine’s College in Brookvale.
CLEAR OUT COMPLETE
The club confirms they are seeking medical retirement clearances for Brett Stewart and Steve Matai. Their departure means Cherry- Evans is the final remaining player at the club from the 2011 premiership and one of just three survivors from the 2013 grand final team.
Turbo flames out in Eels’ dominant win
Tom Trbojevic missed a chance to make an Origin statement, while Mitch Moses’ replacement and an Eels rookie showed their class.
Teen sensations: Your NRL club’s next star of the future
Meet the next generation of rugby league stars. Our experts have scoured the land to discover the players set to make their way on to the NRL stage for every club.