HBG, Independent Directors Sacked
- Thread starter BlackWhiteGold
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diedpretty
Well-known member
Parramatta were committing fraud in order to illegally pay players extra money on top of the cap. They were punished by the licensing board for the fraud and by the NRL for salary cap rorting. And yet there was no hoohaa about revoking their licence. Their case is a far cry from HBG sacking the board.
Yep...there were publicly known timelines...deadlines...extensions...everyone knew what he was seeking for the club
Theres direct quotes from him hes interested
weststigers
Well-known member
I'm actually shocked at how brazen they are to come out and publicly tarnish the reputations of the board members and CEO when their claims are so easily refuted.
diedpretty
Well-known member
Harry got pissed off when Pascoe stopped giving him free handouts.
hammertime
Well-known member
They haven't just removed the board though, have they. There's been 8 directors kicked off, in 3 rounds across two boards. Protection of an apparent harassment case because they needed his vote, lawsuits between directors, and persistence wifh significant structural issues effecting proper member representation. That's just what is public.
Jedi_Tiger
Well-known member
harry paid for kitchens and amenities at concord for the club at the time for the club
liltiger
Well-known member
If he's expected to function like a HBG puppet by the HBG, he won't hang around. Though this Laundy talk all of a sudden, this is really starting to look a bit like Russell Crowe and
Peter Holmes Acourt Privatisation of Souths that Richo fought tooth and nail for after going at it with I think it was the Souths juniors. They eventually voted to sell Souths Richo reckons he was getting death threats from fans over it. From guys who didn't want to privatise.
Starting to look abit similar in that we also have constant boardroom upheaval because of factional fighting. I'm wondering if Richo is lobbying Laundy and the N.R.L to get a privatisation deal done. There would be plenty of ways the N.R.L could "entice" HBG to sell.
liltiger
Well-known member
It has, the independant directors were told to walk because apparently according to HBG statement themselves HBG were left out of consultations. Which is funny as 2 of the Wests Tigers board members are also HBG board members, one of which is the chair of the HBG board. Funny thing is neither of the 2 who's responsibility it is to convey things between the 2 boards was dismissed.only the independant directors. Wonder what HBG are up to. This is a real brain teaser.
Could only hope so.... Not like the tigers wouldn't have interested investors that could chip in with laundry...
cochise
Well-known member
If you agree with the contents of this email, and are tired of the ongoing turmoil and want the CEO focused on priorities like recruitment, development pathways, member engagement, and stabilising the football department, you can copy and send the message below to the NRL:
Emails:
Reception@nrl.com.au
aabdo@nrl.com.au
feedback@nrl.com.au
licensing@nrl.com.au
⸻
Subject: Concern About Governance of the Wests Tigers
To whom it may concern,
I’m writing to express my personal concern about the governance of the Wests Tigers. In my view, the influence of the debenture holders and HBG has been damaging to the club’s stability, progress, and long-term direction, harming members, supporters, and the reputation of the game.
I ask that the NRL review the situation and intervene with HBG before further harm is done to the club or the league.
Regards,
(Your name)
Emails:
Reception@nrl.com.au
aabdo@nrl.com.au
feedback@nrl.com.au
licensing@nrl.com.au
⸻
Subject: Concern About Governance of the Wests Tigers
To whom it may concern,
I’m writing to express my personal concern about the governance of the Wests Tigers. In my view, the influence of the debenture holders and HBG has been damaging to the club’s stability, progress, and long-term direction, harming members, supporters, and the reputation of the game.
I ask that the NRL review the situation and intervene with HBG before further harm is done to the club or the league.
Regards,
(Your name)
BlackWhiteGold
Well-known member
Here’s a Chammas article from Dec 13 last year. This article was the warning for what has just happened.
Their ambition is to see the Magpies replace the Wests Tigers’: Director’s stunning claim
Michael ChammasDec 13, 2024
A director of the Holman Barnes Group, the majority owner of the Wests Tigers, has warned of a growing movement at board level to “see the Western Suburbs Magpies replace the Wests Tigers in the NRL”.
A text message sent by former HBG chairman turned director Tony Andreacchio to several club members and seen by the Herald outlines concerns over the direction of the organisation in charge of the Wests Tigers, which is currently chaired by Julie Romero.
Balmain, Western Suburbs and Wests Tigers fans at Leichhardt Oval.Credit: Getty Images
Andreacchio, who is one of three board members currently suspended and expected to be removed as early as this weekend after facing a disciplinary hearing over alleged misconduct, has moved to try and expose the internal power play that could rock the foundations of the Wests Tigers.
“If the plan devised by these … individuals unfolds as expected later this week, our removal as directors will be finalised and our club membership will be banned indefinitely,” the text message sent by Andreacchio said.
“Consequently, the HBG will fall under the control of a cabal of four, supported by an outdated debenture holder system (currently comprising only 18 individuals). Their misguided ambition is to see the Western Suburbs Magpies replace the Wests Tigers in the NRL competition.”
When contacted for comment on Friday afternoon, Andreacchio – who previously served as chairman of the HBG for two-and-a-half years until he was overthrown by Romero in March this year – refused to discuss the text message but admitted he had grave fears for the future of the Wests Tigers.
The Wests Tigers are coming off three wooden spoons.Credit: NRL Photos
“I’m not going to comment on a very private text message,” Andreacchio, a HBG director of 12 years, told this masthead.
“All I will say is that my only concern is the best interests of the Wests Tigers. Some on the board couldn’t cope with losing their blazers as part of the review. If I was a passionate Wests Tigers fan, of which I am, I would be very worried about the future of the merger.”
Romero did not respond to attempts to contact her on Friday.
Sources with knowledge of the situation talking on the condition of anonymity told this masthead that a high-ranking Wests Tigers official recently approached Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys with the same concerns.
Holman Barnes Group directors Tony Andreacchio and Dennis Burgess.Credit: SMH
The official contacted V’landys after learning that HBG director Dennis Burgess, who now holds a position on the Wests Tigers board, had been talking of an intention to bring back the Magpies in the NRL.
The allegations raised with V’landys included a claim that Burgess had told Balmain chairman Danny Stapleton at a game this year, “We’re bringing back the Wests Magpies”.
Burgess declined to comment when contacted on Friday night. “I have nothing to say,” he said.
The Wests Tigers official wanted to warn the NRL of the plan they believed was being devised by the new leadership of the HBG.
The Herald has also obtained a separate document, compiled by two club members and sent to Liquor and Gaming NSW. The document is a request for Liquor and Gaming NSW to appoint an administrator to the HBG, as happened at the Parramatta Eels almost a decade ago.
In the letter, it is claimed “There has been a total breakdown in the management of HBG in that the board is completely dysfunctional and the relationships so toxic, it is impossible for the board to operate effectively, or at all”.
The HBG, formerly known as the Wests Ashfield Leagues Club Group, is currently split into two factions. The faction on the outer consists of Andreacchio and directors Rick Wayde and David Gilbert, all of whom were once on the board of the Wests Tigers.
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They are under investigation for what Wayde last month described as “trivial” allegations made against him and two other board members, among them not sitting with other directors at functions, calling an official’s wife “darl” and telling another she was in the wrong corporate box at a game.
Other allegations against a particular director includes referring to fellow board members as a “f—ing softie”, a “f—ing suck” and “parrots” in a raised voice.
It was further alleged that Andreacchio was in breach of his constitutional duty after he opposed attempts by a fellow director to change the Western Suburbs Magpies jersey to black and white in the lower grades, because he believed all teams should play under the Wests Tigers banner, including NSW Cup.
The trio of suspended directors were the driving force behind the implementation of the independent culture and governance review that led to the exit of former Wests Tigers chief executive Justin Pascoe and chairman Lee Hagipantelis.
Since then, Andreacchio has been overthrown as chair, with Romero and Burgess replacing the duo at the helm of the powerful club in March with the backing of fellow directors Stephen Montgomery (recently added to Wests Tigers board) and Vincent Tropiano.
The HBG has over 27,000 members. The board consists of seven members, two of whom are elected by general members and five of whom are elected by the remaining 18 living debenture holders. The constitution makes it difficult to effect significant change at a board level.
Andreacchio’s text message also claims that the Romero-aligned directors in power at HBG are opposed to the appointment of Shane Richardson as Wests Tigers chief executive and Barry O’Farrell as chairman.
Wests Tigers chairman Barry O’Farrell, coach Benji Marshall and CEO Shane Richardson.Credit: Getty
“Whether I remain or return as a director is not the key issue,” the director said in his message to select members.
“What matters most is the continued success and prosperity of the HBG and the long-overdue revival of the Wests Tigers.”
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The rise of Romero has also drawn the ire of Balmain. In August, this masthead reported that Balmain director Garry Leo was calling for Balmain to break away from the Wests Tigers and begin a campaign to reinstate the foundation club back in the NRL. Leo has since resigned from his role on the Balmain board.
At the heart of his frustration was growing angst over the behaviour and actions of the HBG, shared by some of his directors.
In a series of private emails obtained by the Herald, Balmain directors described the Wests Tigers majority owner as “incompetent”, “Machiavellian” and a “bunch of tin pots”.
The HBG board recently asked O’Farrell to reapply for his job after the expiry of his interim contract as chairman of the Wests Tigers following the removal of Hagipantelis on the back of a culture and governance review.
Balmain chairman Danny Stapleton, who is also a representative on the Wests Tigers board, sent an email to Balmain directors in August stating: “the split on the [HBG} board is real and decisive” and that Balmain had “challenges on our hands with the unrest at HBG board level”.
Stapleton also stated: “My understanding, and I have not been told formally, is that the controlling faction at HBG Board now wants to unwind the outcomes and recommendations of the review process and take back the control and running of Wests Tigers.”
liltiger
Well-known member
Pretty sure it was when the morons at Balmain Leagues decided to listen to Benny's consortium to build the new premises, that ended up being their downfall. Harry said after all the time he spent there, the money he put into it, he said we could have helped with the council issues we could have helped with the planning issues, he said he never even got a call. That's when he washed his hands.
diedpretty
Well-known member
LIcensing and Gaming have already investigated HBG when Wade and Co got punted and found no cause to pursue the matter. Presently the only thing LG have said is that they are monitoring the situation. In other words they don't give a toss at this stage.
diedpretty
Well-known member
That would have put a dent in his hard earned.
liltiger
Well-known member
I can't see HBG selling or being forced to sell, I wish it would happen. But only to a consortium with considerable money and we remain the Wests Tigers. There is no more Magpies and Balmain. Today's kids only know Wests Tigers.
BlackWhiteGold
Well-known member
Here it is one & all, suspended HBG board member Tony Andreaccio told us 12 months ago.
“The HBG will fall under the control of a cabal of four. … Their misguided ambition is to see the Western Suburbs Magpies replace the Wests Tigers in the NRL competition.”
It’s all PR spin from Paton this week, the plan is to ultimately replace the Tigers with Magpies.
The cabal referred to is Burgess, Montgomery, Tropiana with Lubinski now forming a majority on the HBG board with Paton as their gimp.
@FacePalm is there one who wields the power in this cabal in your view? The puppetmaster as you have suggested.
“The HBG will fall under the control of a cabal of four. … Their misguided ambition is to see the Western Suburbs Magpies replace the Wests Tigers in the NRL competition.”
It’s all PR spin from Paton this week, the plan is to ultimately replace the Tigers with Magpies.
The cabal referred to is Burgess, Montgomery, Tropiana with Lubinski now forming a majority on the HBG board with Paton as their gimp.
@FacePalm is there one who wields the power in this cabal in your view? The puppetmaster as you have suggested.
YEP - but the mods here let the pro-Magpies trolls run rampant because they were blind to reality!
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