Balmain Tigers face extinction

[Yossarian]

Is Meriton still our main sponsor for 2013?

I believe the current deal ends this year although the 2013 merch on the official website still has Meriton on them. All-in-all things seem a bit quiet on the sponsorship front.

 

[innsaneink]

Harrys a bandwagoner…I doubt he'll renew...jumps on when the goings good, disappears when things arent so good

 

[GNR4LIFE]

That would be his company on the front of our jersey right?


My comment was in regards to constant cries for his help when we are in trouble. Where is he?

 

[Gary_Bakerloo]

Harrys a bandwagoner…I doubt he'll renew...jumps on when the goings good, disappears when things arent so good

He is a sponsor. We all know he loves the club, but look at it from the perspective of him as a real estate business owner. Do you sponsor Wests Tigers or become an equity holder?

Much easier being a sponsor.

 

[Yossarian]

That would be his company on the front of our jersey right?


My comment was in regards to constant cries for his help when we are in trouble. Where is he?

Where is he now or then? Given the limited benefits of someone like Meriton putting in cash I don't think you can be too critical of HT. He's probably tipped more money into the WT then any other single person. Maybe he could have done more but he also could do nothing.

 

[andrew 474]

MERITON and MKB are both old balmain supporters, joint venture is doing well from them ink , and he also was the one with the brown paper bag for the boys after the games years ago , he has tipped in plenty

 

[innsaneink]

Clubs in pretty dire financial need _right now_

 

[tigermaniac]

Jeez I'd love to have Masterton Homes sponsor us again. Big Jim helped the Magpies big time in his day. He'll never be forgotten.
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_Posted using RoarFEED 2012_

 

[Benjirific]

It may not mean the end, but I would have grave doubts about the state of our club if it was run solely by the Wests Group. **You only need to look at what happened to the Magpies when they went to Campbelltown and how they have functioned administratively recently to see they have problems running the show.** I also wouldn't put it past them to try and re-start the Magpies. If you think there is infighting now, just wait until the various Wests Group members get fighting.

Let's just clarify a couple of things:

1\. When Western Suburbs moved to Campbelltown, it was probably a tad early (1987). The area had a large junior pool, but predominantly up to ages 13 & 14\. It was always going to be a slow burn with the development of both the juniors and the market itself. Developing markets is difficult work and it was left to Wests - Arko and co provided no assistance.

2\. The club actually began to thrive in the area in 1996 & 1997\. The major issue was the Super League war and not changing the name of the club to "Macarthur". Player wages went off the scale and Wests Ashfield, as they had since Masters' days, refused to pump more money into player wages. Player retention was impossible and the club relied heavily on local juniors, many of which were not ready for first grade. Interestingly, those tough decisions by Wests Ashfield are now paying large dividends.

3\. Prior to 1999, it was the Western Suburbs Football Club with complete administrative and board control whilst funded by the Leagues clubs. As noted above, it was an uphill task and the Football club probably did not have people of sufficient talent to tackle these issues. In saying that, IF (and I actually think it to be impossible) Balmain was to fall out of the JV, it would be the **Wests Group** that would take ownership, not the Western Suburbs Football club. The current board structure of the Wests Group is as follows:

Wests Ashfield: 60%
Wests Campbelltown: 20%
Wests Football Club: 20%

As pointed out by other posts, it would be envisaged that there would be no change to the brand, administration, home grounds etc. It would just be a change in the ownership structure with the majority of the ownership residing with two very successful businesses.

Wests Ashfield appoints a couple of directors to the football club. Issues between Wests Campbelltown and the Football club have been slowly resolved. There would be minimal infighting.

I think it's underestimated how important David Trodden is to the whole set-up. He seems to have plenty of pull with the NRL (he is the spokesperson for all of the clubs) and is on the NSW board as well, and if Balmain were to fold it could mean we lose a good relationship with the NRL and other clubs. I've never really heard of Mike Bailey or any of the Wests directors on the WT board having any relationship with the NRL or any other club, even when he is the Chairman. Is that a situation we really want to be in?

I think this to be a non issue. Although were you aware an ex Western Suburbs director was put forward as a candidate for the NRL Commission (Jim Marsden), but was rejected to appease the red necks?

I think you miss the point in the first point, I do mention the Wests Group being who would run the show IF this were the happen in the next line, and despite all of the infighting supposedly coming to an end, power can do big things to relationships.

On the second part, it is far from a non-issue. Many Wests fans often complain about being shunted by other clubs and the ruling body, and the fact the club has a major voice at the head is a major positive. Just think of the clout we would lose all over the place if the Balmain side of the joint venture were to remove themselves from the NRL franchise? This is both with regard to administration and corporate dollars. Or maybe one of the Wests directors with no relationship with the NRL or other clubs can negotiate the beginning of the commission and a $7million club grant? (Trodden was acknowledged heavily by Paul Broughton in his newly released book along with Michael Searle in the establishment of the commission and the clubs group).

 

[innsaneink]

I think youre a bit star struck with troodens new job Benjiriffic….it'd mean little imo when push comes to shove....though I may be wrong

seems to be the only people commenting on this are the ones getting some joy from it.....we as Wests Tigers really still have so very far to go

 

[tigerbalm]

It may not mean the end, but I would have grave doubts about the state of our club if it was run solely by the Wests Group. **You only need to look at what happened to the Magpies when they went to Campbelltown and how they have functioned administratively recently to see they have problems running the show.** I also wouldn't put it past them to try and re-start the Magpies. If you think there is infighting now, just wait until the various Wests Group members get fighting.

Let's just clarify a couple of things:

1\. When Western Suburbs moved to Campbelltown, it was probably a tad early (1987). The area had a large junior pool, but predominantly up to ages 13 & 14\. It was always going to be a slow burn with the development of both the juniors and the market itself. Developing markets is difficult work and it was left to Wests - Arko and co provided no assistance.

2\. The club actually began to thrive in the area in 1996 & 1997\. The major issue was the Super League war and not changing the name of the club to "Macarthur". Player wages went off the scale and Wests Ashfield, as they had since Masters' days, refused to pump more money into player wages. Player retention was impossible and the club relied heavily on local juniors, many of which were not ready for first grade. Interestingly, those tough decisions by Wests Ashfield are now paying large dividends.

3\. Prior to 1999, it was the Western Suburbs Football Club with complete administrative and board control whilst funded by the Leagues clubs. As noted above, it was an uphill task and the Football club probably did not have people of sufficient talent to tackle these issues. In saying that, IF (and I actually think it to be impossible) Balmain was to fall out of the JV, it would be the **Wests Group** that would take ownership, not the Western Suburbs Football club. The current board structure of the Wests Group is as follows:

Wests Ashfield: 60%
Wests Campbelltown: 20%
Wests Football Club: 20%

As pointed out by other posts, it would be envisaged that there would be no change to the brand, administration, home grounds etc. It would just be a change in the ownership structure with the majority of the ownership residing with two very successful businesses.

Wests Ashfield appoints a couple of directors to the football club. Issues between Wests Campbelltown and the Football club have been slowly resolved. There would be minimal infighting.

I think it's underestimated how important David Trodden is to the whole set-up. He seems to have plenty of pull with the NRL (he is the spokesperson for all of the clubs) and is on the NSW board as well, and if Balmain were to fold it could mean we lose a good relationship with the NRL and other clubs. I've never really heard of Mike Bailey or any of the Wests directors on the WT board having any relationship with the NRL or any other club, even when he is the Chairman. Is that a situation we really want to be in?

I think this to be a non issue. Although were you aware an ex Western Suburbs director was put forward as a candidate for the NRL Commission (Jim Marsden), but was rejected to appease the red necks?

I think you miss the point in the first point, I do mention the Wests Group being who would run the show IF this were the happen in the next line, and despite all of the infighting supposedly coming to an end, power can do big things to relationships.

On the second part, it is far from a non-issue. Many Wests fans often complain about being shunted by other clubs and the ruling body, and the fact the club has a major voice at the head is a major positive. Just think of the clout we would lose all over the place if the Balmain side of the joint venture were to remove themselves from the NRL franchise? This is both with regard to administration and corporate dollars. Or maybe one of the Wests directors with no relationship with the NRL or other clubs can negotiate the beginning of the commission and a $7million club grant? (Trodden was acknowledged heavily by Paul Broughton in his newly released book along with Michael Searle in the establishment of the commission and the clubs group).

Seriously? my post gets deleted but this guy is given free reign to post negative speculation on how, if given the chance, the western suburbs part of the JV will run it into the ground?
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Give me a break.
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_Posted using RoarFEED 2012_

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

Looks like Leichhardt oval to follow.
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_Posted using RoarFEED 2012_

 

[wtfl1981]

Ben Elias dilutes Tigers investment
ANTHONY KLAN
December 06, 2012 12:00AM

Benny Elias prepares for Sidetember. Picture suppllied Source: The Daily Telegraph
FORMER rugby league star Ben Elias has wound back his controversial stake in the proposed development of the Balmain Leagues Club in Sydney's Rozelle.
The project gained the attention of the Independent Commission Against Corruption last month after it was alleged former NSW power broker Eddie Obeid had lobbied the state government over the site.
Mr Elias has been heavily campaigning for the development of the site - which would provide the leagues club with a new headquarters - but in June it was revealed he owned half of the company which is hoping to undertake the $300 million development, Rozelle Village.
The other half of that development company is owned by Double Bay real estate agent Ian Wright.
Company searches show that in October Mr Elias's stake was reduced to 25 per cent, with Mr Wright owning the remainder.
Advertisement

Mr Elias did not return calls yesterday.
Mr Wright said the ownership transfer was a result of a need to recapitalise the project because of cost over-runs and was unrelated to the controversy surrounding the project.
"This is a very expensive project to keep running and the further we get in, with the delays and so on, we needed to recapitalise and get equity into the company," Mr Wright said.
That new equity is understood to have come from Mr Wright's business partner, Japanese property developer Kemmori "Alex" Yasumoto.
Many local residents and the local Leichhardt City Council have been fighting the project, which would include two high-rise apartment towers above a leagues club and retail stores.
"This project is completely out of scale with anything else that exists in the area," said Rozelle Residents Action Group spokesman Mark Wallis.
"They are seeking to build these 25 story towers in a street which has predominantly one-story buildings and nothing higher that two stories."
The action group and the local council have also raised concerns about increased traffic congestion associated with the development.
Last month former NSW planning minister Frank Sartor, under oath, told the ICAC inquiry into NSW government corruption that Mr Obeid had called him to lobby the development of the Balmain Leagues club.
Subsequently a public meeting of about 200 people voted to call on ICAC to examine any connections between Mr Obeid and the project.
That motion was put by Leichhardt mayor Darcy Byrne.
Mr Wright said that alleged lobbying had occurred long before Rozelle Village had control of the site and the company and Mr Elias had no connection with Mr Obeid.
"There was a council meeting of about 170 NIMBYs and they put through a community resolution because I was the flavour of the month and Obeid's name was mentioned," Mr Wright said.
"It was an embarrassment to be in the meeting and hear them talking about this".
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_Posted using RoarFEED 2012_

 

[supercoach]

The project has very little chance of getting through,the local action group have lots of support in the local community. Their was a que to sign the anti project petition at the Rozell markets and growers market on Saturday.I just can't see the project getting off the ground and that's bad news for Balmain

 

[Yossarian]

The project has very little chance of getting through,the local action group have lots of support in the local community. Their was a que to sign the anti project petition at the Rozell markets and growers market on Saturday.I just can't see the project getting off the ground and that's bad news for Balmain

It's out of council's hands now thankfully and even if it wasn't they can't oppose a legal development because some people don't like it. We had a massive campaign to stop them puting a Maccas in Umina which eventually passed council since it was lawful and they had to approve it. Even if it is not this development the State Govt needs to draw a line in the sand and get these people to realise that they live in a global city and high density living is the future on major transport corridors.

 

[sunshine_coast_tiger]

The project has very little chance of getting through,the local action group have lots of support in the local community. Their was a que to sign the anti project petition at the Rozell markets and growers market on Saturday.I just can't see the project getting off the ground and that's bad news for Balmain

Still think the local action group is a minority group. Imagine how many locals and former locals would turn up for a return Balmain League Club rally. It would be vastly more than any rally organised by the RRAG.

The decision will be made by the NSW State Government and thankfully not by Leichhardt Council or the action group.

I had mates that live in the Shire that said there was no way that the Sharks development would be approved given the backlash in the local community. Well in the end the NSW state government approved it.

In the end I think the NSW State Government will approve a re-development of the Balmain Leagues Club site, the last think they want is to give back planning control of the site to the inept Leichhardt Council.

It was good to see a lot of local NSW State and one fedreal Liberal politicians supporting the re-development project recently.

 

[ed612313]

I'm not being disrespectful to original Magpie supporters , But for myself having played for Balmain Tigers in Harold Mathews and S.G Ball competitions 15 years ago , i would be gutted if we no longer exist and if Wests Tigers change to Wests Magpies or change colours or are not to be Tigers anymore , i swear blind that i will never watch a League game again and would follow the AFL alot closer. The game will lose me altogether.
I was there that night when we had to vote and heard the pleas by Keith Barnes , Wayne Pearce that Balmain wouldn't survive but we still would of made the cut alone .

Agree….. Although the game will not lose me to AFL. You couldnt pay me to watch that rubbish. Id prob sit out a few seasons (in relation to supporting the Tigers) but still watch multiple games every week and in a few years time find myself supporting the team my father supports - Souths.
Atleast i know they wont bend over and take it when push comes to shove like we have.

 

[supercoach]

I actually know a lot of long term fanatical tiger fans who are really against the project. I know its the way things are going but you only have to look at Burwood, a few years ago their was no real high rise now every day theirs another cell block being built. I love my tigers and I really wish they could come up with a 15 storey compromise but their debt is too big to break even on the project

 

[magpiecol]

I'm not being disrespectful to original Magpie supporters , But for myself having played for Balmain Tigers in Harold Mathews and S.G Ball competitions 15 years ago , i would be gutted if we no longer exist and if Wests Tigers change to Wests Magpies or change colours or are not to be Tigers anymore , i swear blind that i will never watch a League game again and would follow the AFL alot closer. The game will lose me altogether.
I was there that night when we had to vote and heard the pleas by Keith Barnes , Wayne Pearce that Balmain wouldn't survive but we still would of made the cut alone .

Agree….. Although the game will not lose me to AFL. You couldnt pay me to watch that rubbish. Id prob sit out a few seasons (in relation to supporting the Tigers) but still watch multiple games every week and in a few years time find myself supporting the team my father supports - Souths.
Atleast i know they wont bend over and take it when push comes to shove like we have.

Now you know how some Wests Magpies supporters have been feeling.

 

[innsaneink]

The project has very little chance of getting through,the local action group have lots of support in the local community. Their was a que to sign the anti project petition at the Rozell markets and growers market on Saturday.I just can't see the project getting off the ground and that's bad news for Balmain

Still think the local action group is a minority group. Imagine how many locals and former locals would turn up for a return Balmain League Club rally. It would be vastly more than any rally organised by the RRAG.

The decision will be made by the NSW State Government and thankfully not by Leichhardt Council or the action group.

I had mates that live in the Shire that said there was no way that the Sharks development would be approved given the backlash in the local community. Well in the end the NSW state government approved it.

In the end I think the NSW State Government will approve a re-development of the Balmain Leagues Club site, the last think they want is to give back planning control of the site to the inept Leichhardt Council.

It was good to see a lot of local NSW State and one fedreal Liberal politicians supporting the re-development project recently.

At least theyre locals though and voicing their opinion about something that affects them directly, as opposed to some on here who live miles away and think its their right to tell these people what they should feel, think and do