HBG, Independent Directors Sacked

[Vicious]

We pay membership, we buy merchandise, purchase subscriptions. HBG have had their chances, they represent the interests of a small minority of fans and proven time and time again that they’re just not up to the task of running a successful NRL team.

Probably part of the reason why they should be extremely happy we now have a great operator in Shaun Mielenkamp running things.
Early days I know, but so far there is no indication that Shaun Mielenkamp is being restricted in any way.

 

[cochise]

I totally understand why fans are making such a big deal about it, but some of the concerns that continue to be raised such as an ongoing plan to rebrand the NRL team as Wests Magpies is ridiculous and has already been shut down by PVL.
The major concern was in independent board members being removed, they have now been reinstated.
Now there is a concern that the balance of power will be with HBG, we don’t even know the full list of the 9 Wests Tigers board members yet and we do not know if BOF and the independent board members will have a large say or not. As I keep saying it makes no sense for both to agree to come back if he will not have a large say in the decision making.
Then we have Shaun Mielenkamp as our interim CEO. He is a breath of fresh air and he communication has so far been outstanding, surely we give him a chance to prove he is the man to lead the club to an upward spiral.

No point reinstating them if HBG has the majority, that is the issue fans have.

Only 1 independent board member has been returned.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Of the money being put in HBG only put in about less than 10% of the money annually. If HBG put in 1.2 million a year and the N.R.L throw in 13.5 million a year then the N.R.L would be over 90% owners like H.B.G keep saying and could do as they wish as majority owner. Other thing is in the big scheme of things HBG and all other owners throughout our history have left us massively underfunded. There are clubs who spend more than 1.2 million just in their scouting and youth systems.

This is my point that I've been trying to get across, for this club to be great we need more investment, a much wealthier owner or we will keep languishing at the bottom of the table for who knows how much longer.

If HBG really cared they would recognise this and allow more investment in, but they won't, shit scared of dilution.

 

[mtd#2]

I totally understand why fans are making such a big deal about it, but some of the concerns that continue to be raised such as an ongoing plan to rebrand the NRL team as Wests Magpies is ridiculous and has already been shut down by PVL.

I don't know how you can suggest its ridiculous when:
- Lee H is on the public record saying that directors at HBG have communicated their plan to him
- Magpies director starting a "magpies" chant at Campbelltown

Just because PVL shut it down doesn't mean that the directors don't think it.

So stop dismissing this like it's nothing.. it's something!!

The major concern was in independent board members being removed, they have now been reinstated.

THe HBG didn't reinstate the directors on their own because they saw the light, they did it because PVL scared them.

Don't confuse twist this action into being good leadership by HBG. If they had it there way, the independent directors wouldn't be reinstated.

Now there is a concern that the balance of power will be with HBG, we don’t even know the full list of the 9 Wests Tigers board members yet and we do not know if BOF and the independent board members will have a large say or not. As I keep saying it makes no sense for both to agree to come back if he will not have a large say in the decision making.

Whats your point here?
Are you saying that we should have no idnependent directors if HBG hold the majority?
How is BOF any different to anyone else that might take on the role?

Then we have Shaun Mielenkamp as our interim CEO. He is a breath of fresh air and he communication has so far been outstanding, surely we give him a chance to prove he is the man to lead the club to an upward spiral.

Richo was a breath of fresh air...
He proved with results that the club was on an upward spiral - but you continue to drag his name through the mud.

If 2026 is a good season I am sure you will spin it as all SM, when really , the upward spiral all started because of Richo...

 

[Vicious]

No point reinstating them if HBG has the majority, that is the issue fans have.

Only 1 independent board member has been returned.

Have all the board members been named ?
Has there yet been any reason to believe that a reinstated chairman is not being heard or is not agreeable to any decisions being made ?
We are predicting a car crash before it happens, rather than hoping the car crash never eventuates.

 

[cochise]

Have all the board members been named ?
Has there yet been any reason to believe that a reinstated chairman is not being heard or is not agreeable to any decisions being made ?
We are predicting a car crash before it happens, rather than hoping the car crash never eventuates.

History shows that the HBG can not be trusted and are a dysfunctional, unprofessional rabble.

They do not deserve trust.

 

[Vicious]

History shows that the HBG can not be trusted and are a dysfunctional, unprofessional rabble.

They do not deserve trust.

History shows many things, but I prefer to look to the future.
HBG are surely aware they have lost the trust of many Wests Tigers fans, PVL is surely aware of the angst towards HBG from many Wests Tigers fans.
The point is being made loud and clear and hence the reason why I have continually stated I don’t have a problem with last Saturday’s orotest.
You stated on your podcast that HBG have between now and the Leichhardt Oval trial to get there act together.
I agree with that statement 💯
So is there any chance we can let the actions speak louder than words between now and then ?
I say that as I think it would certainly benefit our CEO, coach and players if our fans could have a positive mindset.

 

[Dr_Ice]

You are 100% correct and it would be naive to think so

The issue we have is that "the say" appears to be all focused on what's best for the Magpies and not the JV...

Can you understand why that's an issue for alot of us?

Agreed, they have had plenty of say. Unfortunately with not many positive outcomes.

 

[TigerNeddyK]

I think the main reason why anyone mentions a single identity through grades is they’ve just had enough of every year talking about division.

Also , other successful teams have lower and junior grades with systems and plays that run all through the club to Matt’s even.. when the lower teams wear the same jersey and the juniors and reserve grade have a clear pathway that is symbolised by wearing the same uniform as the NRL team it is good for morale and club unity and gives a sense of belonging to the players and the fans .. it is obvious and I believe that any one that cannot admit this is either being disingenuous or is just too stupid and ignorant to debate with .. WeSts Tigers , a United club .. #HbgOut

 

[TigerNeddyK]

That’s a separate issue.
My previous comment was purely stating that nobody is going to pour money into a club and have no say.
The fans such as in this case may be unhappy about decisions they are making, but it does not change the fact they are going to have input into decisions when they are putting their money in.
What happenss if Arthur Laundy buys the club and the fans are not happy with decisions he is making ?

Jesus .. he would buy it and then the fans could see that he is making decisions to benefit the team and to aim for them to be successful on the field and winning games … after 15 years of HBG at the helm us fans no longer believe that HBG want the Wests Tigers to succeed as everything they do results in 15 gotdamn years of not making the finals .. The magpies before them even had a terrible record on th field so a great many supporters feel that the team they love would be successful if the Footy team was run by people that actually wanted them to achieve success , and HBG ain’t that ! Can you really not see that ? Seems to me you just want to argue and defend HBG no matter what the facts are and what the evidence says .. it is beyond tiresome

 

[Big Red]

Probably part of the reason why they should be extremely happy we now have a great operator in Shaun Mielenkamp running things.
Early days I know, but so far there is no indication that Shaun Mielenkamp is being restricted in any way.

Ignoring the past and hoping for a better future is not a successful strategy. Recent events show that HBG have not learnt from past mistakes, continue to repeat them and are the problem.

Expecting fans to have faith in HBG after the last two weeks is naive. The onus is on HBG to restore trust and gain respect of the fans, their efforts so far are token at best.

 

[weststigers]

When you say HBG don’t care about Wests Tigers making profit, do you know this or are you assuming this ?

The way you run cover for these guys, you'd think we had the world's brightest in our management ranks.

By nature, you will care less if it won't impact you personally. Now if you want to refute basic human nature, that would impress me.

 

[TigerNeddyK]

I don't know how you can suggest its ridiculous when:
- Lee H is on the public record saying that directors at HBG have communicated their plan to him
- Magpies director starting a "magpies" chant at Campbelltown

Just because PVL shut it down doesn't mean that the directors don't think it.

So stop dismissing this like it's nothing.. it's something!!


THe HBG didn't reinstate the directors on their own because they saw the light, they did it because PVL scared them.

Don't confuse twist this action into being good leadership by HBG. If they had it there way, the independent directors wouldn't be reinstated.


Whats your point here?
Are you saying that we should have no idnependent directors if HBG hold the majority?
How is BOF any different to anyone else that might take on the role?


Richo was a breath of fresh air...
He proved with results that the club was on an upward spiral - but you continue to drag his name through the mud.

If 2026 is a good season I am sure you will spin it as all SM, when really , the upward spiral all started because of Richo...

Mate , the ridiculously incendiary post by Allan Fallah, a HBG director that insulted fans and was so divisive and disrespectful to the Wests Tigers and biased towards the Magpies is grounds enough to dismiss HBG.. it was a bad faith argument that made clear that HBG have an agenda that wants the JV to fail and that they have no respect or concern for wests Tigers supporters at all.. it was Pathetic and insulting

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Also , other successful teams have lower and junior grades with systems and plays that run all through the club to Matt’s even.. when the lower teams wear the same jersey and the juniors and reserve grade have a clear pathway that is symbolised by wearing the same uniform as the NRL team it is good for morale and club unity and gives a sense of belonging to the players and the fans .. it is obvious and I believe that any one that cannot admit this is either being disingenuous or is just too stupid and ignorant to debate with .. WeSts Tigers , a United club .. #HbgOut

If I was running HBG, I would want the most experienced & skilled WT board possible to make decisions on the future for the club whilst clear on delivering HBG positive outcomes (financial, community, membership etc).

If they were adament on having a team represent the Wests Magpies in the NSW Cup, I'd make it work including for the Wests Tigers brand to have a presence at Lidcombe home games (marquee, merchandise, kid's activations etc). My preference would be to have the NSW Cup team as Wests Tigers but if it has to be Magpies, so be it.

I do think the legacy of Wests Magpies can still be highlighted to an even more powerful effect than having a team in NSW Cup. The club could host a heritage round each year at Campbelltown where the team plays in a special Magpies heritage jersey, there is an acknowledgment of old boys on-field pre-game & a big function for old boys to attend at the game. Roar Store could sell this heritage round jersey each year.

Unfortunately I'm a logical thinker and pride & personal agendas seem to be sacrificing logic in HBG decision making.

 

[mtd#2]

Mate , the ridiculously incendiary post by Allan Fallah, a HBG director that insulted fans and was so divisive and disrespectful to the Wests Tigers and biased towards the Magpies is grounds enough to dismiss HBG.. it was a bad faith argument that made clear that HBG have an agenda that wants the JV to fail and that they have no respect or concern for wests Tigers supporters at all.. it was Pathetic and insulting

Honestly mate, that post doesn't even sit on my radar as an issue when you look at all the stupid stuff he posts.

If I was running HBG, I would want the most experienced & skilled WT board possible to make decisions on the future for the club whilst clear on delivering HBG positive outcomes (financial, community, membership etc).

If they were adament on having a team represent the Wests Magpies in the NSW Cup, I'd make it work including for the Wests Tigers brand to have a presence at Lidcombe home games (marquee, merchandise, kid's activations etc). My preference would be to have the NSW Cup team as Wests Tigers but if it has to be Magpies, so be it.

I do think the legacy of Wests Magpies can still be highlighted to an even more powerful effect than having a team in NSW Cup. The club could host a heritage round each year at Campbelltown where the team plays in a special Magpies heritage jersey, there is an acknowledgment of old boys on-field pre-game & a big function for old boys to attend at the game. Roar Store could sell this heritage round jersey each year.

Unfortunately I'm a logical thinker and pride & personal agendas seem to be sacrificing logic in HBG decision making.

Your last paragraph summed it up perfectly. Agree with the rest of your post..

 

[Vicious]

Ignoring the past and hoping for a better future is not a successful strategy. Recent events show that HBG have not learnt from past mistakes, continue to repeat them and are the problem.

Expecting fans to have faith in HBG after the last two weeks is naive. The onus is on HBG to restore trust and gain respect of the fans, their efforts so far are token at best.

I don’t think anyone is arguing that the onus is on HBG to restore trust and gain respect of the fans.

 

[Vicious]

If I was running HBG, I would want the most experienced & skilled WT board possible to make decisions on the future for the club whilst clear on delivering HBG positive outcomes (financial, community, membership etc).

If they were adament on having a team represent the Wests Magpies in the NSW Cup, I'd make it work including for the Wests Tigers brand to have a presence at Lidcombe home games (marquee, merchandise, kid's activations etc). My preference would be to have the NSW Cup team as Wests Tigers but if it has to be Magpies, so be it.

I do think the legacy of Wests Magpies can still be highlighted to an even more powerful effect than having a team in NSW Cup. The club could host a heritage round each year at Campbelltown where the team plays in a special Magpies heritage jersey, there is an acknowledgment of old boys on-field pre-game & a big function for old boys to attend at the game. Roar Store could sell this heritage round jersey each year.

Unfortunately I'm a logical thinker and pride & personal agendas seem to be sacrificing logic in HBG decision making.

I think the board is lacking a couple of recently retired players or coaches as high value recruitment and retention of players or coaches is supposed be one of the important topics that go before the board.
Who on our current t board or previous board is an expert on these matters to make a good decision ?

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

I think the board is lacking a couple of recently retired players or coaches as high value recruitment and retention of players or coaches is supposed be one of the important topics that go before the board.
Who on our current t board or previous board is an expert on these matters to make a good decision ?

Don't think it is necessary. As long as the CEO (as conduit to the Board) can inform them on $$$ & the recruitment team has done the necessary due diligence, is within salary cap parameters etc, any decent Board member will then ask the necessary questions and request any further info to make an informed decision.

If there was an ex player who is also brings the corporate experience & skills, then great but they are probably hard to find.

FYI Danny Stapleton has previously been the Board member on the Football committee (not sure if this is still the case).

 

[Big Red]

I don’t think anyone is arguing that the onus is on HBG to restore trust and gain respect of the fans.

I’m arguing that the onus is on HBG, sounds like you place it on the fans:

…..I think it would certainly benefit our CEO, coach and players if our fans could have a positive mindset.

HBG have a lot of work to do if they wan’t fans to have a positive mindset. Based on past actions, they don’t seem to really understand the impact their actions have on fans let alone players and staff of WT.

The latest saga has not been addressed in a way that restores trust and ultimately it will be to their own detriment and possibly demise.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

I think the board is lacking a couple of recently retired players or coaches as high value recruitment and retention of players or coaches is supposed be one of the important topics that go before the board.
Who on our current t board or previous board is an expert on these matters to make a good decision ?

Agree about the ex-players having a say but still want the 4 independents with different skills that are relevant to the club's status.

Then after they have achieved what they were added to the board for a new one could take that place to tackle the next achievement needed.