Blast from the Past - 1998 - South Sydney Sharks; Clubs begin merger discussions

[Wobblygong]

South Sydney Sharks; Clubs begin merger discussions
Illawarra Mercury. Wollongong, N.S.W.: Jul 28, 1998. pg. 40

Cronulla officials opened formal merger talks with South Sydney yesterday, despite releasing details of an internal report showing the Sharks rank eighth out of 20 clubs in the National Rugby League's survival criteria.

Rabbitohs deputy chairman Bernie O'Neill confirmed the meeting between a delegation from each club and said they hoped to continue the discussions - aimed at establishing a South Sydney Sharks outfit - next Monday.

O'Neill said he and finance committee chairman Ray Furse had represented Souths at the talks while the Cronulla delegation comprised of directors Craig Douglas, Barry Pierce and John Harvey.

"It was positive but the talks were only preliminary and both committees will now report back to their boards before hopefully meeting again," O'Neill said.

Rabbitohs marketing director Stan Browne is also on a three-man committee elected earlier this month to explore merger options and O'Neill has not given up hope of representatives from the wealthy South Sydney Juniors joining them.

However, that appears likely to depend on a meeting later this week between Souths president George Piggins and Juniors boss Henry Morris to try to resolve their differences following a falling out. Piggins is opposed to a merger but unless the Juniors reverse a decision to end their annual $1.5 million funding agreement after next season, the club appears to have no option.

Morris wants the Rabbitohs to explore alternatives but has agreed to consider a new businessman plan drawn up by Piggins, who wants the Juniors to take over the district club.

The Sharks are also rumoured to have financial problems but a report by chartered accountancy firm BDO Nelson Parkhill - of which Douglas is an advisory partner - suggests they can stand alone.

Although the financial aspects of rival clubs are sure to be disputed, the criteria issues that can be examined accurately are home-and-away crowd attendances and on-field performances for 1995, 1996 and 1998. After each area is given its weighting, the report ranks each club on measurable criteria in the following order:

Brisbane, Newcastle, Manly, Parramatta, Sydney City, North Sydney, Melbourne, Cronulla/St George, Balmain, Canberra, Canterbury, North Queensland, Auckland, Penrith, Illawarra, Western Suburbs, South Sydney, Adelaide and Gold Coast.

Ironically, the Sharks rate equally with neighbour St George, whose impending joint venture with Illawarra threatens their very existence.

Balmain, which ranks 10th, is expected to agree to merger talks at a board meeting tonight following weekend discussions between Parramatta and Penrith.

The Eels would prefer a joint venture with the Tigers but are considering forming a Parramatta Panthers super club, while Manly is also understood to be keen to amalgamate with Balmain.

 

[ROB SHARK]

were still going strong.

 

[coogeeboy]

No clubs should be forced to merge no matter the circumstances are.
I am so proud that both Souths & Cronulla are still here today as single entity clubs whilst others have surrendered their independence & are no better off.

 

[slide rule]

No clubs should be forced to merge no matter the circumstances are.
I am so proud that both Souths & Cronulla are still here today as single entity clubs whilst others have surrendered their independence & are no better off.

Me too. Survival of the fittest.

The merged clubs are really probably only marginally better off.

Northern Eagles- Fail, Manly still struggling financially.

St George Steelers- There are still question marks over the viability. They are only marginally stronger than before. Both clubs had financial problems and the Illawarra Steelers club is still struggling.

West Tigers- This is the best and only true Merger. They are fairly successful, but I do think they suffer a bit of an identity crisis. - Representing battlers of Campbelltown and Lattè sippers in Balmain and the inner west. They have three home grounds, one of which is in the eastern suburbs..

 

[coogeeboy]

slide rule, i personally dont think any of them are successfull but it's up to the individuals perception of what success really is.
I suppose the W
Souths are no better off for being privatised but i still think that this will be the future of our game.