Darcy Byrne isn't a fan. This was posted on his facebook page today. Guess it takes a grub to know a grub.
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BUTT OUT BENNY
Enough is enough – I know the Tigers are doing it tough but none of us should have to take any more lectures about loyalty from Benny Elias.
Yesterday Benny went out in the media to make use of the Robbie Farah controversy to tell Tigers fans all about how our Club should be run.
Amongst other things, he said that “Tigers supporters have got to know exactly what is going on behind the scenes” and that “I am a very big man of loyalty”.
I’m as disappointed as anyone about the current situation but now Benny is giving the rest of us lessons on loyalty? Seriously?
According to an investigation by the Sydney Morning Herald in 2012 - “How Benny Elias put the bite on the Tigers” - Mr Elias entered into a business partnership with international developers, to purchase the former Balmain Leagues Club site in Rozelle.
The report states that Mr Elias made no financial contribution to the cost of purchasing the site but was initially paid $600 000 for brokering the deal, then claimed some or all of an ongoing fee of $230 000 per year (paid for by the club) for the next several years.
It says he stood to make millions of dollars if the 32 storey skyscraper he was advocating for was approved.
Many Club supporters were completely unaware of this arrangement.
Last year the development company Benny had been involved with tried to put the mighty Balmain Tigers into receivership. Only action in the Supreme Court, which I gave strong public support to, prevented our Club from being made extinct.
In the interests of transparency I should declare that I have dealt with Benny directly in regards to the Balmain Leagues Club redevelopment and found his approach to me personally offensive to say the least.
I could say more but I want to protect my family from defamation action from Benny or his associates.
I want Wests Tigers to succeed, Balmain Leagues Club to come back to Rozelle and for the history of our great club to be cherished and built upon.
For that to happen it would be best if Benny would butt out.
