ARLC boss Peter V’landys to investigate Wests Tigers boardroom coup
An alleged secret push to return Western Suburbs to the NRL has rocked Wests Tigers and put the ARLC on red alert, with Peter V’landys vowing to step in and protect the club’s fans.
The ARL Commission is set to investigate the latest dramas at the Wests Tigers as chair Peter V’landys vows to protect the interests of the club’s long-suffering fans amid a boardroom coup.
The Tigers were plunged into turmoil on Monday night when chair Barry O’Farrell and three fellow independent directors were sensationally dumped from the board by the club’s majority owner the Holman Barnes Group.
The decision is set to have ramifications beyond the boardroom - chief executive Shane Richardson is believed to be considering his future at the club while sensitive contract negotiations with Jarome Luai and Jahream Bula are now in peril.
V’landys conceded that head office was concerned with the latest developments and would launch inquiries after being contacted by a number of concerned parties.
“We have been approached by a number of parties to have a look at the situation and we will,” V’landys said.
“I have always said I was going to look after the fans as chairman and I will honour that. We will look into the matter.
“That is all I will say.”
The Holman Barnes Group’s decision to overthrow the board prompted widespread backlash on Tuesday amid fears for the Tigers’ future.
Inner West mayor Darcy Byrne called for government intervention while former chair Lee Hagipantelis - who was replaced in December 2023 - declared there was a known push for Western Suburbs to return to the NRL.
Hagipantelis said there was an element of the Magpies faction who wanted Western Suburbs to return in place of the Wests Tigers.
Hagipantelis said there was an element of the Magpies faction who wanted Western Suburbs to return in place of the Wests Tigers.
“It was admitted to me directly by a fella who is now a director of the West Magpies that the ultimate aim was to return the Wests Magpies to the NRL,” Hagipantelis said on SEN Breakfast on Tuesday.
“I know there were some quiet discussions not too long ago about extracting Balmain from the Wests Tigers and returning to the State Cup.
“I can recall an instance where I was there where (former chief executive Justin) Pascoe tried to introduce a bit of orange into the State Cup team.
“When the Wests boys saw the orange in the jumper they had a conniption and the jumpers had to be withdrawn. They are very sensitive about this type of thing.”
Hagipantelis also took aim at the Holman Barnes Group.
“They should have no engagement in the running of a football club,” Hagipantelis said.
“They should confine themselves to the fishing club, sewing or tennis club. They run leagues clubs very well and food and beverage very well.
“The tensions of 1999 and the forced merger remain to this day. I happened to speak to a director of the Holman Barnes group in the last two months who expressed a lot of discontent with what they perceived to be a disenfranchisement of the Wests Tigers that they weren’t being kept informed.
“The word he used was ‘being kept in the dark’.”
Holman Barnes Group had two directors on the Tigers board and it is understood major decisions around the jersey and venues were unanimous.
It is understood Holman Barnes have already appointed new board members including their chief executive Daniel Paton.
Paton hit out at the Tigers board over what he described as poor communication with the owners of the club.
The four axed directors - O’Farrell, Annabelle Williams, Charlie Viola and Michelle McDowell - issued a joint statement on Tuesday morning saying they were “disappointed” that the board had been dismantled after just 11 months.
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Originally published as ARLC boss Peter V’landys to investigate Wests Tigers boardroom coup
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