Sharks chairman Barry Pierce quits

Cronulla chairman Barry Pierce has quit the board of the troubled NRL club. The shock move comes after Pierce, who has been involved with the club for over 20 years, was re-elected unopposed and handed life membership of the Sharks’ Leagues club just last week.

Pierce had been under pressure since details of a 2002 group sex scandal involving several players were revealed, one of a number of off-field incidents that has affected the financially-strapped club this season.

Fellow board member and long-time Pierce ally Don Anderson has also stood down.

Pierce did not give reasons for his decision in a club statement which announced his resignation.

However, the club says he was not pressured to quit.

“I wish to tender my resignation from the Cronulla Sutherland Leagues and District Football clubs, to become effective on June 30. Until that time I will assist the new board in any capacity I can,” Pierce said in the statement.

“This decision has not been taken lightly and has been a very difficult one. I would like to thank everyone who has supported me over the past 20 years, especially my family.

“I would also like to thank the people I have worked with for making my time at the Sharks most enjoyable.

“I wish the new Board, Tony Zappia, Ricky Stuart, the Sharks football team and everyone associated with the club every success in the future.”

Anderson, who was a director for 12 years, indicated that while he was standing down from his board position he was still firmly committed to the Sharks.

“I am not going to walk away from the club, I’ll still be around as an ardent Sharks supporter,” Anderson said.

The Sharks board will move to fill the position vacated by Anderson immediately, and will endorse a replacement at its next meeting on June 16.

When Pierce’s resignation becomes effective at the end of the month a new chairman will be elected by the existing board.