Parramatta Eels chairman Steve Sharp tells AGM he will end embarrassing infighting at club
Date
May 11, 2015 - 9:05PM
Adrian Proszenko
Parramatta chairman Steve Sharp has described the biannual battle for control of the club as an "embarrassment" and vowed to do everything possible to ensure future elections won't damage the Eels brand.
Sharp's ParraFirst ticket won all seven seats on the board over the weekend, raising hopes of a period of stability after years of political infighting. He topped the ballot with 821 votes, ahead of former teammate Geoff Gerard (768), Paul Garrard (731), Tanya Gadiel (730), Peter Serrao (711), Tom Issa (687) and Andrew Cordwell (661).
The next best candidate was Mark Riddell who was running for rebel tickets backed by former powerbrokers Denis Fitzgerald and Roy Spagnolo. The former Eels hooker finished 217 votes behind in eighth place.
Speaking at the annual general meeting of the Parramatta Leagues Club, Sharp said it was time to end factionalism in order for the Eels to move forward.
"I will start tonight's proceedings by apologising to all members of this great club for the embarrassment once again that was the club's elections," Sharp said.
"The contempt that some individuals show for our club has come to a point where we as a united organisation must say enough is enough. My commitment to you the members is that we will seek out every possible avenue to find a way in which our biannual electoral process is not played out in the media as we have just witnessed. On that I would like to thank the members for starting that process by overwhelmingly showing their faith and support for the current board."
While Fitzgerald wasn't allowed to stand, he made his presence felt during the four-day election period. The police were called onto the self-proclaimed "Emperor of Parramatta" a vocal backer of, and advisor to the vanquished Parramatta Professionals ticket before the polls had even opened for allegedly not remaining within electoral areas. While Fitzgerald and sworn enemies Ray Price and Roy Spagnolo made an alliance, of sorts, over the weekend they still couldn't get the numbers to dethrone Sharp's ticket. Price and Ben Smith were also deemed ineligible to stand.
"In relation to Mr Ray Price, Ray received a free membership in February 2011," said Leagues Club chief executive Paul Bevan, who confirmed 131 free and backdated memberships were cancelled.
"Club records confirm that this membership was issued for free. The registered clubs act requires members to be financial in order to be eligible to stand for election. Mr Ben Smith was employed by the club and therefore ineligible to stand. The club's legal advice is that Dennis Fitzgerald is constitutionally ineligible to stand and as Mr Fitzgerald has advised that he would be progressing court proceedings no further responses will be made in relation to this matter."
Another issue was the liquidation of the Parramatta District Rugby League, which oversees junior development in the region. "At no time was there ever any risk for junior football in the district," Paul said.
