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http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/n...ardroom-electric/story-e6frfgbo-1226169220647Atmosphere in Eels' boardroom electric
- by: Josh Massoud
- From: The Daily Telegraph
- October 18, 2011 12:00AM
Findings: Eels chairman Roy Spagnolo. Picture: Ross Schultz Source: The Daily Telegraph
EARLIER this year, Glenn Duncan had a dream.
His company, Pirtek, had already been the club's major sponsor for the past four seasons.
In 2010, that vital support earned Duncan a seat on the board.
It was a position he used to help oust then-coach Daniel Anderson from his position in favour of Stephen Kearney, his mate from the Kiwi national team that was also once sponsored by Pirtek.
But Duncan still wasn't satisfied.
He had designs on the deputy chairmanship, currently held by local businessman Sid Kelly.
But there was one crucial problem.
Duncan realised he didn't have the numbers to mount a successful challenge. And according to other Eels directors, that's when things started to go pear-shaped for him.
Fast forward a few months and Parramatta is now imploding as Duncan marshals support to topple CEO Paul Osborne.
But there's no doubt Duncan has found the softest point in the Eels' underbelly.
Parramatta will be seriously unsettled until either he or Osborne is gone for good.
Last week, Duncan resigned as a director in opposition to Osborne's approach to financial matters and staff management. He stepped down expressing disgust at fellow board members, who had resisted his campaign to have Osborne sacked.
Duncan's departure came shortly after a female staff member alleged Osborne had bullied her - an allegation which Osborne claims in today's Daily Telegraph has been dealt with.
Chairman Roy Spagnolo had no choice but to investigate this issue, but was unable to do so personally because Osborne still owes him money from a soured Byron Bay property investment. So Spagnolo instead set up a two-man sub-committee that includes directors Mario Libertini and Kelly.
Their findings will be presented at a board meeting next week, which is anticipated to be crucial to determining whether Osborne remains. The recent rash of unsubstantiated yet damaging leaks about Osborne's business and personal dealings certainly aren't helping his cause.
The latest issue pertains to a loan he allegedly previously took out from a current Eels player, believed to be front rower Justin Poore. Osborne told The Daily Telegraph he had never borrowed money but Poore but instead struck a financial arrangement to help fund a charity trip to Rwanda. He added that he did not owe Poore any money at this time. In a desperate bid to stop the bleeding, Osborne yesterday sent the entire Eels board an email to explain the mess.
It's also understood he's personally met with Spagnolo, who has challenged Osborne to come clean on any further skeletons that could be used to discredit his board.
Because if too many more come rattling out of the closet, Osborne will be long odds to survive Duncan's ambush. Spagnolo and his directors don't need the grief after an awful year on the field that's helped the books blow out by $600,000.
But on the other hand, they don't need another costly payout or unfair dismissal lawsuit following a string of redundancies since taking power.
They are also aware of how useful Osborne - a former ACT politician and high-ranking Hillsong Church member - can be with his connections to public authorities and key individuals.
