Nope. I'm not a Cheesehead. But I do admire their stuff. And I see the comparison you have with the Panthers. They love their home games - playing in the snow and freezing cold - enough to put the opposition off their game. Vince Lombardi's little comment is probably the most quoted in all football, anywhere.
And Cheese: their supporters wear big yellow plastic blocks of cheese on their heads to show who they support. That's where the word `cheesehead' comes from. I was sitting in a restaurant in Denver one time when a bloke at another table was wearing one. Crazy.
Back on the Sharks. I'm very concerned for our club's future. I was hoping Anderson was the bloke who would win us the comp which would ensure our short term survival. Maybe he still is? But when it appears he may be putting blood relations before the good of the club, maybe he's not? I was full on pro-Anderson until this latest disruption. Even though I believe the Board is also at fault, I am beginning to doubt. I hope I'm wrong.
On related pertinent issues. I believe the the success of current development proposal is essential to the long term survival of our club.
One matter that has always concerned me: Our Leagues Club was built around 1970 (I forget exactly which year). It is built away from main commercial centres and public transport routes. Shortly after our club was built the State Government introduced random breath testing. Consequently, our Leagues Club does not get the `passing trade' that favours many other clubs. Whilst we do have courtesy buses, their capacity is limited. Thus, big crowds in the Leagues Club are generally limited to football days and other functions. This must have a negative effect on the viability of the club. Whilst entertainment is reasonable, it is sparse and not world class.
I see our Leagues Club as not being able to sustain football team in the future. And the ability to support a football team will decline even further when Michael Egan's tax increase is implemented. This, of course, is true everywhere as sponsorship is now a main stream of income. Large sponsorships, however, are constantly fought for by Sydney based clubs - a problem that does not worry one-city clubs so much. Winning football teams attract sponsorship - and we haven't got one at the moment.
Our development is one way of obtaining finance and the associated investment interest in the future. The development application has been hindered by those supporting opposing interests, and includes left wing local politicians. Failure to secure the development could lead to the demise of our club. Other alternatives to ensure survival:
- franchise/private ownership (a la USA). This was once considered - Dr. Edelston
- merger with a neighbouring club (St.George Illawarra or the Bulldogs)
- relocation
Maybe I'm being pessimistic, but I think I am being realistic. There was a big black cloud hanging over Cronulla just before the advent of Super League, and I believe it has come back again. I certainly hope our current Board has the foresight and wisdom to get us out from under and take us to the top, but somehow I doubt it. With all his faults, Peter Gow was the man with the flair to do this. Now he's been knifed, maybe we should look at Singo or Gerry Harvey or a bloke like that?
Under the current situation it is very possible that we can struggle on for a number of years and continually get belted before wee eventually fold.
On the football front (what do I think):
Chris Anderson - forget the differences and get on with the job you were paid to do
The Board of Directors - stay out of his hair and let him do it
The fans - a united club is generally a strong club. Forget the bitterness of the past. Support our team and our club as a whole, and don't let issues like this bring us down.
