http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...erald-speaks-out/story-fni3ga7r-1226709228182
FORMER Parramatta chief executive Denis Fitzgerald has broken his silence to vehemently deny he is secretly running the new Eels board. In a wide-ranging and controversial interview with Bulldogs Bite, Fitzgerald called on former Eels chairman Roy Spagnolo to walk away from the club immediately and also discusses the factions he claims is helping destroy the Eels.
Fitzgerald, nicknamed The Emperor, outlines fears head coach Ricky Stuart may walk away and sign with Canberra and also criticises himself, saying: "Maybe I am lacking in some degree of public relations skills."
Bulldog: Are you running the Parramatta board?
Fitzgerald: No.
Bulldog: Okay, I will re-phrase that. Do you have influence over the ParraFirst-aligned board members?
Fitzgerald: I dont think I have influence. If they ask me questions or seek advice - given I have been involved with the club for 44 years - I will answer them. They appreciate the experience I have and the various situations I have been involved with.
Bulldog: Are you working behind-the-scenes with them?
Fitzgerald: Not so much behind-the-scenes. I have said if they want any assistance or advice I am only too happy to put forward my view. Its entirely up to the four directors from ParraFirst, who were successful in the May elections this year, to take that advice if they feel it could be helpful or they can disregard it.
Bulldog: How do you rate Steve Sharps early performance as chairman?
Fitzgerald: Steve is finding his way as chairman given that it is difficult enough to come in for the first time as a director of a club, he is also chairman in his first time on the board without any background or experience in that area. With Steve, what you see is what you get. He is doing a good job considering the difficult circumstances that he and the other new directors have found themselves in only three months ago.
Disappointed Parramatta players during a loss. Picture: Cameron Richardson
Bulldog: Sharp told me last week that factions at Parramatta were working behind-the-scenes to damage the club. Do you agree?
Fitzgerald: Certainly I am aware there are supporters of the previous board led by Roy Spagnolo who appear to be putting stumbling blocks in the way of the new board, who are trying to improve things at the Parramatta NRL club and Parramatta Leagues Club.
Bulldog: If those factions are trying to under-mine the club, its disgraceful.
Fitzgerald: Yes, no-one would be happy with that situation. I think the sooner Roy Spagnolo and (former Leagues Club and current football director) Mario Libertini, to name two, resign from positions on the district football club board, the better-off the organisation would be. When I was there, we had 30-years of consistent management and a very stable board.
Bulldog: Do you think Sharp was referring to Spagnolo when he told of those factions?
Fitzgerald: Yes.
Bulldog: Spagnolo ran an embarrassing tenth in voting at the Leagues Club elections. The members have spoken. Should he walk away?
Fitzgerald: I would certainly suggest that would be in the best interests of the club.
Bulldog: There is a letter floating around from former player Terry Leabeater which is highly critical of you. What do you make of it?
Fitzgerald: I have seen it and passed it on to my lawyer. Since Terry Leabeater came back on the scene in 2008, he has been most critical of me. His 14 page letter is just fantasy. I think Terry should go and see the best psychiatrist on the central coast, where he lives, and he should stay there.
Bulldog: Some suggest one director, Lawrence Shepherd, is your puppet. Is that unfair?
Fitzgerald: Its completely wrong and certainly unfair. People saying that just dont know the situation. I have known Lawrence for a long time, probably 25 years. He has been a long-term sponsor and his company, Independent Gaming, has been involved for that period of time. He is a self-made man in the poker machine area. He wouldnt be a puppet for anyone. In fact, he is very forthright.
FITZGERALD ON RICKY STUART
Bulldog: Are you fearful Ricky Stuart might walk away as head coach?
Fitzgerald: I havent spoken to Ricky, nor do I intend to. But based on media reports or rumours, I think that there is a distinct possibility he will walk away.
Bulldog: If Stuart goes, he might do so purely because of the board dramas. That would be hard to take?
Fitzgerald: It would be. The sooner things can settle down and everyone can work together in a co-operative spirit the better off the club will be. Its tough enough for coaches and players to win games and be successful. They dont need the divisions off the field at a board and management level.
Bulldog: Back-to-back wooden spoons, that must hurt?
Fitzgerald: It does. The club never got a wooden spoon when I was there as CEO. It is very disappointing after being one of the premier teams and setting the standard in terms of overall administration, recruitment and development for so long.
Bulldog: People bag you Denis but the club has been a mess since you left. Yes, the financial side has turned around but on-field performances are terrible, the board is a rabble and the club keeps hiring and firing CEOs.
Fitzgerald: Very much so. I think that is primarily because Spagnolo and his associates didnt know how to run a football club and werent aware of who the good people were at the Leagues Club and Football Club. Spagnolo and company, after I left, their main priority was to sack, dismiss or make redundant any person that was seen to be associated with myself, which was most of the senior managers because I had been in a management role at the club for 30 years. Consequently, since I departed, they have had three CEOs and the new board is now advertising for a fourth CEO. There has also been four coaches.
Bulldog: Why do you rub some people up the wrong way?
Fitzgerald: I think that happens at just about every club or organisation if you have to make hard decisions. It just doesnt suit everyone. I make no apologies for that. I would think that maybe I am lacking in some degree of public relations skills. I want to put it out there without beating around the bush.
