Dear Stephen,
I write to you as a disgusted, tired and embarrassed Tigers supporter (and season ticket holder).
I have been following this side since I was old enough to walk. I'm 24 years old and was formerly a Balmain fan and followed us over when we merged in 2000\. Winning the competition in 2005 was one of the best moments in my life and I was lucky enough to get a ticket to the game and also to every semi-finals game we played that season. I have also attended almost every home game for the past five or six years and travelled interstate to watch us play. 2005 was my first experience following my side in the semi-finals and was truly an amazing time which I will never forget.
However, fast forward five years later and here we are staring down the barrel at a fifth consecutive year without finals football after winning a premiership. There is simply no excuses for this kind of failure and mediocrity. In my opinion the signs were there in 2007, the disgusting capitulation in the last round against Newcastle was one of the darkest days in this clubs history, and that is no mean feat when you consider the early events in the merger, specifically 2001 and 2002.
I also had the unfortunate privilege of attending Sunday's game and what was dished up was simply pathetic and unacceptable and without doubt was one of the worst performances I have ever seen from this team, or any team in the NRL for that matter.
I know you probably won't even bother replying to this e-mail, but I want to ask you one question: is there a coach in world sport, anywhere, who like Tim Sheens, is completely unaccountable for his teams performances?
Can I ask how you and your board came to the decision to resign Tim Sheens for a further year a few weeks ago? What has Tim done to deserve another contract extension? We have not made the semi finals for four years. I have no doubts Tim is a good coach but its clear his time with us is up and he has become stale. Obviously the players aren't responding to him any longer when at least 14 of them didn't even put any effort in whatsoever on Sunday.
Like most loyal Tigers supporters I am grateful to Tim and the rest of the coaching staff for 2005\. However, how long can they cling onto this for? Already we are five years down the track and have only gone spiralling backwards. In my opinion 2010 is not going to get any better as Tim has shown he keeps making the same mistakes that cost us in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 - namely, playing players out of position, picking wingers on the bench who don't get any game time, playing with 16 players in 30 degree heat etc. etc.
I know there are some circumstances which couldn't have been avoided, for example the injuries in 2006 and the depature of Scott Prince (who always wanted to return home) but there is only so long that these excuses can be used. Most fans initially gave the coaching staff the benefit of the doubt - but no longer can this sort of mediocrity be tolerated. It is a disgrace and is completely unacceptable.
I know it probably won't mean much, but I will definately not be renewing my season ticket in 2011, unless of course massive changes are made. I also know of many others who will be doing the same. I mistakenly "stepped up" this year - perhaps someone should have told our players and coach that they are supposed to do the same.
Yours sincerely,
