Nathan Tinkler’s ownership of the Newcastle Knights appears to be potentially drawing to a close, but what has the mining giant actually achieved with the NRL club?
It was supposed to be a bold new era for the Knights under Tinkler’s moneyed reins when he took over three years ago. One that would be bright and full of success.
This has hardly been the case.
Wayne Bennett was secured as coach and he brought in big-name buys from his old club St George-Illawarra in Darius Boyd, Jeremy Smith and Beau Scott.
Bennett also signed a host of discarded talent, such as Willie Mason, Dane Gagai and BJ Leilua.
Under Bennett the Knights have finished 12th in 2012 and seventh last year, eventually making it one game from the grand final.
His predecessor, Rick Stone, actually has the better win-loss record.
This season they have been poor in their opening two games.
Melbourne are their opponents on Monday night, in Melbourne.
Only a brave man would be tipping the Knights to register their first win of the season at AAMI Park.
They have an ageing squad and on the surface there seems to be little long-term planning in place beyond the current campaign.
On the crowd front the Knights averaged 20,919 in 2012.
In 2013 they had an average attendance at home games of 18,821.
This season they have managed 14,674 for their first home crowd, the worst turn out for an opening home match in more than a decade.
Newcastle’s total membership numbers have also dropped by nearly 3000 in the past three years.
They have battled a number of damaging off-field incidents as well, such as Russell Packer’s assault charge and Mason’s drink-driving case.
Payment problems, bad headlines, controversy – the Knights have had it all over the past three years.
Community patience seems to be wearing thin – http://www.theherald.com.au/story/2167129/sporting-declaration-business-as-usual/?cs=306
Things don’t look better on the corporate front either.
The Knights have a major sponsor in Hunter Ports, a Tinkler-owned company.
How much do they exactly gain from this sponsorship? It would be good to know.
Hunter Sports Group runs the Knights, as well as A-League club the Newcastle Jets.
The Jets have been unsuccessful in recent seasons and will likely miss the finals this campaign, as they have done for the past few.
Hunter Sports Group’s website strangely lies dormant – http://www.huntersportsgroup.com/ – but the entity is headed up by Tinkler’s right-hand man Troy Palmer.
The pair installed Matthew Gidley, a former Knights player but someone with no business experience, as the club’s CEO.
Bennett’s four-year deal with the Knights ends at the end of next season. The club’s captain Kurt Gidley is a talented player but remains injury-prone.
There is a lot for the Knights faithful to ponder. Newcastle is a heartland rugby league area and the Knights should be one of the top clubs in the competition.
Tinkler’s reign in the NRL could be over soon – http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/NRL/fallen-mining-tycoon-nathan-tinkler-has-until-tuesday-to-save-his-stake-in-the-knights/story-fni3gf5j-1226861690418
Regardless if it is or not, have the Knights actually been better off under the wing of the controversial mining magnate? Or is it too early to tell?
Follow John Davidson on Twitter @johnnyddavidson
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