Wests Tigers boss Shane Richardson refuses to commit future to Leichhardt Oval

The man charged with turning Wests Tigers into an NRL force has delivered a scathing assessment of Leichhardt Oval, refusing to commit to playing fixtures at the iconic suburban ground.

Wests Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson says Leichhardt Oval isn’t up to “standard” for the joint venture club if they want to grow and compete with the NRL’s financial powerhouses.

The call comes as Tigers fans continue to celebrate their big win over Cronulla at the famous ground on Saturday night.

Richardson didn’t hold back in his assessment of the famous venue which faces an uncertain future.

Speaking on The Bye Round with James Graham podcast, Richardson was pressed on whether the Tigers would continue to play at Leichhardt.

“Who knows where we will play because I can tell you this - we will play at the most commercially viable ground to grow our 30,000 members, to grow the ground corporately,” Richardson said.

“At the end of the day the Leichhardt and Campbelltown councils have to understand clearly that we are only there for this year, we need some assurances.

“We have 300 corporates on Saturday night …. we could sell 700. We will play where we believe we can grow the Wests Tigers club.

Asked where the club would play games in the future, Richardson - in an interview recorded on Wednesday - said: “That is a decision we will make based on the economics of the club.”

“We already have a base. We will be at Concord forever. Leichhardt is just nowhere near the standard. It might be the eighth wonder of the world but even the pyramids were cleaned from time to time and upgraded. I am not saying where we will or won’t play at this stage because we haven’t done enough research. It is clear in the strategic plan that we will be making calls to do what is best for the club in the long term.”

Wests Tigers boss Shane Richardson says Leichhardt Oval isn’t up to standard. Picture: David Swift

Richardson made it clear Leichhardt Oval wasn’t up to scratch, especially when compared to the facilities of big NRL organisations he wants the Tigers to eventually match strides with.

“Let’s be brutally honest mate. Look at all the great clubs in the NRL. Where do the Melbourne Storm play? At a great stadium. Where do the Roosters play? Where do Souths play? Where do Parramatta play? Penrith are getting a brand new stadium built for them.

“What I am trying to say is you might upset a few people but it has to be what is best for the growth of the club. If you are not thinking that way, you will continue to go backwards.”

Originally published as Wests Tigers boss Shane Richardson refuses to commit future to Leichhardt Oval