Eels war ends as Fitzgerald bows out after 30 years at top

[El Diablo]

http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/lhq...-fitzy-bows-out/2009/06/06/1244234424447.html

Eels war ends as Fitzgerald bows out after 30 years at top

June 7, 2009

Denis Fitzgerald, the self-proclaimed Emperor of Parramatta, will officially end his 30-year reign as chief executive of the Eels this week.

The writing has been on the wall for Fitzgerald since the 3P ticket (Parramatta Pride and Passion) swept to power at the recent board elections, with both parties expected to sign off on a deed of release in coming days.

"I'd say by the middle of next week, we'll be in a position to agree to it and move forward," Eels chairman Roy Spagnolo said.

"We need closure and to start our new era, to start working on some business plans we've got in place."

Fitzgerald has been chief executive of the football club and leagues club, but the roles will now be split.

Fitzgerald's departure ends a bitter battle for control. Team 3P was gunning for the veteran administrator throughout its campaign, attempting to sack him over his alleged involvement in the Tingha Palace "votes for vouchers" scandal that tainted the leagues club election.

The board had attempted to avoid paying out his contract, reportedly worth $400,000, but a figure appears to have been agreed on between the warring parties.

The development will end a playing and officiating relationship with the Eels dating to April 1969.

ADRIAN PROSZENKO

 

[El Diablo]

thanks for the 30 years of service Fitzy

 

[Runaround Man]

1969 - wow - Man landing on the moon -

Glad we are finally moving on from the Fitzgerald days - but also a little bit of history goes with him......

 

[hineyrulz]

Well it's finally happened, he has been there to long but you can't deny the service he has given the Parra club. Hopefully a new direction is just what the club needs.

 

[Eels Dude]

His arrogance has cost him his position. I agree he's done some very great things for the club, but his selfishness and poor attitude towards to fans and media has undone a lot of that.

 

[El Diablo]

Well it's finally happened, he has been there to long but you can't deny the service he has given the Parra club. Hopefully a new direction is just what the club needs.

over half his life

 

[Fee]

Hopefully we can now get on with it, and start a new era at Parramatta. Go the mighty Eels.

 

[Suitman]

I feel absolutely no emotion at this news, either one way or the other.

Suity

 

[1 Eyed TEZZA]

It is sad to see an end of an era.

My only fear is if the new board and new CEO can get us going in a better direction. You always knew what you were getting with Fitzy. He is the devil we all know.

Good luck Fitzy.

 

[Gronk]

I guess all those 3P sponsors who were waiting on Fitzy's departure will now announce their immediate support ?

 

[strider]

:lol: - we'll be rolling in sponsor money now

 

[fish eel]

Thanks for the service?

It's not like he did it for nix.

Don't let the door hit your arse on the way out.

 

[TheRam]

Thank God a 23 year era of mostly failures is finally over. Bring on the new era. Fitzy you nearly ruined this great club, now piss off you arrogant clown. $400000 for the crap that we have endured. Go into politics you hoax, you will feel right at home there and take your former board member cronies with you.

 

[Twizzle]

wonder how much it cost us

 

[Stagger eel]

I'm happy that it's finally coming to an end and well overdue i might add...

I don't have a problem thanking Dennis for his services and dedication he showed to the club he's done an admirable job and probably saved our arses in the early 80's when we were struggling financially.

he sacrifised a competative squad for 10 years to put the leagues club in a position where it would be viable to fund the football club for a long time.

I won't be embroiled into blaming him for the lack of premiership success since 86, he set a platform thanks to super league in 96 but unfortunately we fell in the last hurdle several times but we definitely had the troops do it.

however he and the board made some poor decision funding a soccer team and not planning for a governement tax and smokine law that would cripple the club financially, instead of forward planning they continued to waste their energy in lobbying the governement.

Thanks Fitzy but it's time to move on.

 

[HIghlands Fling]

Wonder if Denis will get an apology for being unfairly accused about Tigha Gate? I' m sure the respective lawyers have paperwork to go with the payout so make sure nothing else is said. Now 3P will probably set their sights on Hilditch and Gerard. As stated previously I look forward to all thsi sponsorship which will flow in now Denis has gone (AS IF)

 

[Gronk]

Tinghagate was 3P's WOMD.

 

[Nikki]

You know, we had a great club there for a while and I guess you have to thank Denis for that. But by the same token, you give someone power and sometimes they do go overboard and can almost ruin and good thing and for mine that is exactly what Denis has done.

 

[Stagger eel]

was it?...

have we heard publically either way what the findings were?

there are several possible scenereos to consider.

Dennis wants to keep his cleanskin reputation intact therefore he probably doesn't want the findings to go public and will strike a deal with the board to keep it inhouse.

or

the findings have cleared him and will except the full amount as promised.

or

the findings have cleared him and Dennis and will continue to drag this through the courts.

Personaly, I'd like to see a statement released by the club regarding the findings of the investigation before I make a coimment.

 

[eel4life]

CEO gone, good now get a new CEO for the footy club and a new CEO for the Leagues club and move on in both ...

This is a better system for the club because you need a dedicated source on both and both should be run independently.

He has dedicated his life you can say to the club, but there is a time to move on and this is the time.

Funny thing about this whole thing, we all want the same thing, we all want the club to be run the best it can, we all want the footy club to win, and we all want a premiership.

This is the start of a new era for the club, this is an opportunity for the club to move forward and for the new board, they have the opportunity to act on what they have been wanting to since they got elected in April and took over in May.