Already started in today's papers... NRL keeping a close eye on our financial position which appears to be getting worse...
I'm so happy to be a Sharks supporter... Really... I am. I mean what sort of character building would you get from another club that doesn't have constant failure after failure...
Seems so Frailty
What's with the possible illegal sponsorship?
Link
Sharks in hot water DANIEL LANE
July 18, 2010
CRONULLA legend Andrew Ettingshausen, who is expected to next month be honoured in his junior club's greatest team of all time, has urged locals to fight to ensure the Sharks will be around for his four nephews to represent in the future.
The Sun-Herald understands the club's financial situation is of concern for the NRL and is being closely monitored.
The Melbourne Storm drama and Independent Commission/QRL controversy have allowed the Sharks to fly under the radar, but there's a fear the club is close to breaking point.
Allied with the resignations of coach Ricky Stuart, club boss Richard Fisk and group chief John Osborne, there's been a brawl with the juniors over cuts to their direct funding; confirmation the leagues and football clubs has a combined debt of $12 million;
the government is investigating a possible illegal sponsorship from an online poker site; inclement weather that's denied them revenue at the turnstiles and leagues club and
the poisonous relationship chairman Damian Irvine has with his team and support staff.
Winger Blake Ferguson highlighted the matter a fortnight ago when he activated a ''get out'' clause in his contract because he had no faith in the club's direction.
''I think Cronulla, like all the Sydney clubs, have a tough road,'' said Ettingshausen. ''They're doing it extremely tough and need the support of the local community. The locals have stuck by them through the good times and bad, but this is a testing time.
''The future of the club is in the balance and it's important everyone gets out and helps. I think everyone at Cronulla is doing what they can to survive but it needs a wholehearted effort by many more people.''
The Sharks underpinned their financial future 11 years ago on selling land to a property developer. Despite some initial interest, it hasn't sold.
''The club's future depends on the board, it's in their hands and they have a lot on their plate,'' said Ettingshausen. ''My business commitments have stopped me from being involved as much as I want to, but I'm happy to do what I can to help. We all must because it'll take more than a few men and women to turn it around. There's no time for apathy, it won't just tick away forever.''
Ettingshausen, who rivals Steve Rogers as the club's greatest player, said the district was rich in league's most sought-after resource - juniors.
''If you go through all the leagues you'd see there's an enormous number of first graders who've come through Cronulla-Sutherland's juniors,'' he said.
''We have a great junior league and the numbers grow each year. I watch my nephews play of a weekend for De La Salle and it's great. Like my nephews, I spent all my weekend in my footy gear, but I just hope they have a local club they can play for.''
An example of the talent the juniors have produced is highlighted by the candidates for De La Salle Caringbah's dream team with 33 first graders, Ettingshausen, Jonathan Docking, Adam McDougall, Aaron Raper, Martin Lang and Alan Wilson among them.
The team will be named during a lavish lunch at Sharkies on August 13.
