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`We pay our way'
John Greco
http://manlydaily.com.au/article/2007/08/03/5766_sports.html
03Aug07
PASSIONATE Manly legend Ken Arthurson last night weighed in on the messy Sea Eagles home semi-final situation accusing Warringah Council of ``misleading'' the public.
As reported in yesterday's Daily, Warringah Council and the NRL will hold urgent talks next week to hammer out a deal to ensure the club's historic first home final is played at Brookvale Oval.
But Arthurson, (pictured) still a well-respected voice at Manly, said he was dismayed at the comments of council administrator Dick Persson.
Arthurson was particularly upset with the attitude that the finals match represented an opportunity for Warringah Council to recover ``some of our subsidy''.
``The ratepayers of Warringah and the entire Peninsula have waited a long time for the Sea Eagles to play well enough to earn a home final,'' Arthurson told the Daily last night.
``(Mr Persson's) suggestion that council subsidises the ground is misleading.
``Under an elected council for many years they matched the Manly Leagues Club dollar for dollar but the Sea Eagles have always paid their way.
``Last year I understand the operating costs were around $487,000 of which the Sea Eagles contributed $458,000 for the privelege of using the ground 12 times.
``If Mr Persson thinks that's a major contribution to a local sporting facility then he needs a holiday.''
Arthurson, who has a grandstand at Brookvale Oval in his name, said he was extremely confident the matter could be resolved and the match would eventually go ahead at Brookvale in the first week of the finals.
``People power will insist on it and I have no doubts the NRL will get the fair deal they are looking for to ensure it goes ahead,'' Arthurson said.
Mr Persson yesterday reiterated his his desire for the match to go ahead at Brookvale Oval but denied the council made a ``dash for cash''.
``Prior to Wednesday there had been no communication at all between the council and the NRL,'' Mr Persson said.
``We look forward to sitting down with the NRL to negotiate a fair price for the use of Brookvale Oval.''
John Greco
http://manlydaily.com.au/article/2007/08/03/5766_sports.html
03Aug07
PASSIONATE Manly legend Ken Arthurson last night weighed in on the messy Sea Eagles home semi-final situation accusing Warringah Council of ``misleading'' the public.
As reported in yesterday's Daily, Warringah Council and the NRL will hold urgent talks next week to hammer out a deal to ensure the club's historic first home final is played at Brookvale Oval.
But Arthurson, (pictured) still a well-respected voice at Manly, said he was dismayed at the comments of council administrator Dick Persson.
Arthurson was particularly upset with the attitude that the finals match represented an opportunity for Warringah Council to recover ``some of our subsidy''.
``The ratepayers of Warringah and the entire Peninsula have waited a long time for the Sea Eagles to play well enough to earn a home final,'' Arthurson told the Daily last night.
``(Mr Persson's) suggestion that council subsidises the ground is misleading.
``Under an elected council for many years they matched the Manly Leagues Club dollar for dollar but the Sea Eagles have always paid their way.
``Last year I understand the operating costs were around $487,000 of which the Sea Eagles contributed $458,000 for the privelege of using the ground 12 times.
``If Mr Persson thinks that's a major contribution to a local sporting facility then he needs a holiday.''
Arthurson, who has a grandstand at Brookvale Oval in his name, said he was extremely confident the matter could be resolved and the match would eventually go ahead at Brookvale in the first week of the finals.
``People power will insist on it and I have no doubts the NRL will get the fair deal they are looking for to ensure it goes ahead,'' Arthurson said.
Mr Persson yesterday reiterated his his desire for the match to go ahead at Brookvale Oval but denied the council made a ``dash for cash''.
``Prior to Wednesday there had been no communication at all between the council and the NRL,'' Mr Persson said.
``We look forward to sitting down with the NRL to negotiate a fair price for the use of Brookvale Oval.''
