‘Untrue’: Tigers ownership ‘rejects’ claims of plot to wipe brand from NRL history
The majority owners of the Wests Tigers have slammed reports of a text message bombshell claiming the NRL club has reached breaking point.
The Tigers are facing the prospect of being wiped from NRL history with a plot emerging for the Western Suburbs Magpies to take full control of the embattled club.
The Wests Tigers have been a basket case of board room civil wars and on-field disasters in recent years.
It is now reaching breaking point with a leaked text message from a former top dog at the football club’s majority ownership organisation — the Holman Barnes Group (HGB) — showing there is a push to see the Magpies name replace the Tigers.
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As first reported by The Sydney Morning Herald, former HBG chairman Tony Andreacchio has sent a text to several club members saying a HGB power struggle will end up with a board of directors that could push for the removal of the Tigers brand.
As reported by Code Sports last month, Andreacchio is one of three board members sensationally banned from entering any venue under the control of the Holman Barnes Group.
It has previously been reported Andreacchio and colleagues Rick Wayde and ex-Cricket NSW CEO David Gilbert have hired lawyers to monitor the developing situation.
Andreacchio’s latest text shows he fears for the club’s direction if members of the HGB hold sway on the NRL club’s board.
Tigers owner group ‘rejects’ claims
In a statement released on Saturday afternoon, the Holman Barnes Group said it “emphatically rejects claims made by the Sydney Morning Herald about its intention to move away from the the Wests Tigers”, adding: “It is untrue.”
Holman Barnes Group Chair, Julie Romero, said: “The Holman Barnes Group slogan is ‘be true to the review’ and we mean it. Our commitment is to the West Tigers and ensuring the Wests Tigers is positioned for success. Seeing reports suggesting anything other than our total commitment to the Club is disappointing.”
“We will not be moving away from Wests Tigers and to claim that is fiction. The Group is
disappointed to see damaging inaccuracies reported.”
The statement continued: “The Group also notes it is nearing the completion of a process involving a formal investigation by an external third party and disciplinary hearings regarding alleged misconduct of three individuals who held directorships on the Board (Directors). “Under the Constitution, the Directors involved have an opportunity to respond to the allegations against them before any final decision is made.
“Due to the confidential nature of the process and with respect to those involved the Group will not comment further until this process is complete and it expects that all parties involved to be equally respectful.
“While this process is ongoing, the Directors in question have been suspended from all privileges of membership.
“The investigation is a Holman Barnes Group matter and does not impact the football department at Wests Tigers.”
Holman Barnes Group CEO, Simon Cook, reaffirmed his commitment to the Wests Tigers and said:
“Holman Barnes Group is a very successful organisation that has had continued success over many years.
“We are currently coming off a record trading year and have also contributed to 80
organisations through our provision of over $3 million to the community.
“I am confident the organisation is in a great position to continue to grow and provide the very best facilities for our members and guests while supporting our community.”
“If the plan devised by these … individuals unfolds as expected later this week, our removal as directors will be finalised and our club membership will be banned indefinitely,” Andreacchio sent, according to the SMH.
“Consequently, the HBG will fall under the control of a cabal of four, supported by an outdated debenture holder system (currently comprising only 18 individuals). Their misguided ambition is to see the Western Suburbs Magpies replace the Wests Tigers in the NRL competition.”
He went on to tell the publication: “If I was a passionate Wests Tigers fan, of which I am, I would be very worried about the future of the merger”.
It is far from the first time Tigers fans have had to fear for their survival.
It emerged in August their was a rival plot for the Balmain side of the joint-venture to go it alone again.
Balmain directors previously endorsed a split from Western Suburbs — ending the partnership the two proud clubs have had for 25 years.
Garry Leo, Balmain director said at the time his organisation had “lost faith in them (the Western Suburbs partners)”.
“We’re getting Leichhardt Oval upgraded and we could play there every second week. If we can find the right backers, we want a shot at returning to the NRL,” he said.
In an ominous warning of fans of the Tigers, who can’t seem to catch a break in recent years, Leo doesn’t believe the NRL would “allow the Wests Tigers to operate with the Tigers name without any involvement from Balmain.”
“I really do believe the NRL competition needs a Tigers team. And not the Wests Tigers.”
As it stands, Balmain owns 10 per cent of the Wests Tigers, having lost an additional 15 per cent of its share in 2019 to HBG after the latter paid Balmain’s $3.2 million debt to the NRL.
Holman Barnes Group own the remaining 90 per cent of the Tigers - with 30 per cent of that portion owned by the Western Suburbs Magpies.
The bitter struggle has filtered down to the football club’s executive and playing group with the club still on shaky ground following the removal of Wests Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis and former chief executive Justin Pascoe.
Hagipantelis was sent packing after the embattled club followed the recommendations of an independent internal review commissioned by HBG following fan upheaval another disastrous season on the field.
Former NSW premier Barry O’Farrell returned to the position as chairman and ex-South Sydney chief executive Shane Richardson joined the club on a long-term deal.
The Wests Tigers won the 2005 NRL premiership but haven’t made the finals since 2011 — the longest drought of any team.
The Tigers have finished outside the top eight in 21 of their 24 seasons, and collected the past three wooden spoons.
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