I rub my eyes a lot these days. Well, not really ‘these days’, but far more since 2006 when Russell Crowe and Peter Holmes a Court paid for 75 percent of management rights at South Sydney.
The reason? Pure disbelief at how some alleged Souths fans grasp every opportunity to criticise, knock and be a general cheerleader for the next depression whenever it comes to the topic of the ‘PHaCrowe’ regime.
Some of the criticism, and quite often in the so-called mainstream media, appears to be written with a very sympathetic slant towards the previous management of South Sydney. Possibly because some journalists are masters of old time mateship and very little else.
However I don’t have any mates who I might offend, possibly because I have already offended them, so I will deal with a commodity seldom mentioned in the mainstream media. It’s called fact.
Around about 1999 South Sydney were in a financial situation so perilous that if it had been you or me we would have been camped out the front door of the Salvos with a handwritten sign saying ‘Help’.
By the admission of the management at the time we were looking at extinction, or at best, relocation to the Central Coast.
Yes, very impressive. Not to mention that had we not been in such a state, there would have been no expulsion from the premier competition.
From ‘99 through to around 2005 we were a basket case. We had to pay overs for even average players. We announced signings of players I struggled to recognise as ‘marquee signings’.
Nobody wanted to come to play for Souths, unless it was for a hefty retirement payout.
Yet we still hear criticism of Russell and Peter and are asked what they have done for Souths?
Well, survival was a pretty good first-up trick. Yes Russell, we did still respect you in the morning.
Moving on, 2007 saw Souths suddenly manage to attract Roy Asotasi and Nigel Vagana. Personally I am not convinced their signings were coincidence, I feel they may have had just a little to do with our new management.
Lo and behold, in 2007 we make the finals for the first time since 1989.
Okay, unless I am madder than the maddest hatter who ever got mad over a hat, this was some pretty immediate and enjoyable improvement.
Sure, we have had a couple of frustrating seasons, riddled with injury to star players, but still only missing the finals by one game.
However, let’s not bog down on one area, let’s look at the overall picture.
Our membership numbers are exceptional, either leading or coming second. Quite an incredible effort for a team not making the finals recently, and a true testament to how much this club is loved and supported.
We are arguably the most heavily sponsored team in the NRL.
We can now make bids for marquee players and be a serious chance of signing them, unheard of not so long ago.
Roster-wise, league experts call us a “top four roster”.
In 2010 we signed Sam Burgess and Dave Taylor, who were largely considered the two best young forwards in the world at the time.
Retention is no longer a problem, with players such as Sutton, Clark, Luke, and Merritt all signing extensions.
Oh, and did I mention the name Greg Inglis?
We secured arguably the most exciting young coach on the market in Michael Maguire and he is already starting to stamp his ‘Storm-like’ attitude onto this talented young team.
The future looks nothing but bright. Very bright.
However, I am still left rubbing my eyes in disbelief at the negativity thrown at Souths by some people.
I guess when some people look out their window at night, they see a pitch black sky. The rest of us see what’s really there, a shining moon and a truckload of stars.
Go the Bunnies!
Christian Darque
Roar Rookie
Wow, it seems I may have been right! It appears Russell and Peter have been good for Souths, who'da thunk it huh? LOL
Realist
Guest
Darque- you obviously work for Crowe and HAC. Conflict of interest you idiot.
Godfrey
Guest
Darque - you are obviously confused. You are the one who mentioned financials in your bedtime story. You wrote that the club was in a "perilous financial situation". All I did was add balance to your bedtime story by quoting directly from the club's annual reports to show that your comments were rubbish. I hope Russell gives you a pat on the head, mate. That he still respects you in the morning.
Godfrey
Guest
Darque says that from "1999 to 2005 Souths were a (financial) basket case". That's incorrect. The club's officials Nick Pappas and Shane Richardson said that our signing with ANZ Stadium and the sponsorship from Souths Juniors had "secured Souths financial future." They said this 3 times and were quoted in newspapers. Also in 2005 Souths were only in the red for $343,000. As of 31/10/11, the club's annual report shows that the club's liabilities have now reached a staggering $10,643,118. In fact, liabilities have gone up $1.4 million each year of Crowe's ownership. Where did Darque get his feel good bedtime story from? Hollywood? He should have started his story with "once upon a time". And his name should be Hans Christian Darque!
Godfrey
Guest
It's very difficult to assess the extent of the loans and liabilities because there's no transparency and accountability. As reported for the first time in The Daily Telegraph last May, the football club owes Crowe and Holmes a Court $6.15 million. It had accrued $567,000 in interest and couldn't pay it. The football club lost $864,226 last year, so the loan would now be greater. On top of that, the football club's property arm High Concept Commercial Pty Limited, the affairs of which are not included in the football club's annual report, has recently gone into liquidation. The club's real estate assets are to be sold to pay the debts. Those assets were worth between $15 and $20 million back in 2007. Before privatisation, the football club's biggest financial loss was $480,000 and that was during the Super League war court cases. Since privatisation, the football club lost $2,759,956 in 2007, $4,135,036 in 2008, and $864,226 in 2011. The club has forecast in its annual report another substantial loss this year. All we know for sure is that as of 31/10/10 the football club had liabilities of $10,643,118. Back in 23006 the liabilities were only $1,909,889. My disappointment is that Russell Crowe promised members that he'd "always keep giving the money" if they trusted him with the club. What he really meant was that he'd loan money at exorbitant interest rates. It's a shambles.
clipper
Guest
Just a small point Godfrey, without coming down on one side or the other. You mention Souths are nearly 6m in the red (on top of other loans it has). Surely all the loans it has are liabilities - you can't have other loans that wouldn't be counted there.
Godfrey
Guest
Darque - for the record, I don't hate Russell Crowe, even though his record demonstrates that he is a phone throwing thug with a penchant for drunken tantrums and brawls. But this doesn't hide the fact that for the past decade you have operated forums defaming and vilifying George Piggins. That you are now a propagandist under many names and guises for Crowe working for him "on a mysterious project" is of no surprise to anyone. Cheers mate.
Godfrey
Guest
Darque, you are a pitiful name dropper and propagandist trying to ingratiate yourself with a movie star. I invite readers to go to the Souths football club website and read the 2011 financial report. You will see that the club as of 31/10/10 had liabilities of $10,643,118 and assets of only $4,652,784. The club is in the red for $5,990,334 (on top of other loans it has). In 2005, the year before privatisation, the club was only in the red for $343,312. As can be seen, the club is on a downhill financial path. You will also read in that same financial report that Souths lost $864,226 last financial year and have forecast another substantial loss this year. The financial report also records that Souths had to renegotiate loans because it couldn't pay them. And the club's property arm, High Concept Commercial, recently went into receivership and all the club's real estate assets are being sold to pay the debts. This is the reality as shown by the club's own reports. Darque's stuff is bedtime stories trying to please a movie star.
Godfrey
Guest
I fought for the club in the Super League War and I have earned my view. You are infatuated with Russell Crowe and only pretend that you follow Souths. I am for accountability and transparency in the club. You are for happy clapping Russell Crowe. One only has to look at the pitiful name dropping on your website to understand that your article is all about ingratiating yourself with a movie star. Your article is fantasy bedtime story stuff. It doesn't tell the truth. That's good for your hero Russell Crowe, but it does nothing for the club and its supporters. You wrote on your website that you are working on a "mysterious South Sydney Project" for Russell Crowe and that you are "sworn to secrecy". As I said, Darque, you are a propagandist and a pitiful name dropper..
Godfrey
Guest
You work for Russell Crowe and Souths, Darque. You wrote on your website that you are employed by Crowe on a "mysterious South Sydney Project". Obviously, that project is propaganda. You should have declared during the article that you have a professional interest in Souths. That you are working for the club and Russell Crowe.
darque
Guest
Anyway, my final comment on this article. Thanks to all those who have posted sensible comments, both positive and negative. It's especially interesting hearing the view of people who don't follow Souths. As for Godfrey, Graeme, Perp, Botak, Paul or whatever name you're using these days, I am going to say this nicely as I'd hate to offend you, but you're an idiot. There is a reason you have been banned from every forum you're ever involved with, yes, it is because you're an idiot. You're not happy unless you're bagging Souths, you see nothing good about any aspect of the club and troll from forum to forum telling anyone who will listen. Peter and Russell have made a huge difference to the club and everyone one in the human world can see it, even those who don't follow Souths. Apart from you, of course. I respect this website and appreciate the facility they provide for a sports loving public. Bearing this in mind I will no longer engage in any communications with you as I refuse to bring this site down to the boring and hate filled level you achieve on every forum you attend. We know already that Souths are in debt, you are not revealing some dark hidden secret as you seem to believe. You need to recognise that nearly every major team in every code in this country and overseas are also in debt. It's not news, it's like telling us we pay wages, er yeah, we know. Go away, stop trying to bring disruption and your obsessional hatred of Russell and Peter to forums, and basically, grow up.
darque
Guest
If you support Souths, how about saying something positive about them? Just once would be nice instead of your usual trolling. Go on, try it, show us what a great Souths fan you are by saying something positive.
darque
Guest
There is nothing to debate. I wrote an article on how I see our current roster and onfield future. I am not sure there is anything terribly difficult to grasp about that. Well, for normal people anway.
darque
Guest
That's nice Rooster Boy, but my article was about a football team I love, not about backroom financials. Not sure if you've noticed, but this is actually a "sports" website, as far as I know thee is no sport known as "Financial Accounting". Also not sure how I could get "more work" from Souths when I have never had any work from Souths. However accuracy has never been your strong suite now has it? Go away.
Godfrey
Guest
Darque, I am not a Roosters supporter. I gave money to Souths in The Super League War. Attended the court cases and fundraisers. I marched in both protests. I didn't see you there or Russell Crowe or Peter Holmes a Court. I support Souths. You are infatuated with movie stars and you support the Russell Crowe Football Club. Your article was obviously an attempt to please Crowe. You boast on your website darque photography that you are "collaborating" with him and that he "loves" your work. Does he love the unbalanced and inaccurate story you wrote?
Godfrey
Guest
I'm still Godfrey, mate. Please debate the facts without the cheap shots. I support Souths. Marched in the protests, gave money, boycotted News Limited. I'm a fan of the South Sydney Football Club, not the Russell Crowe one like you obviously are.
Godfrey
Guest
So, you are only name droppingt? You obviously have an interest in praising Russell Are you trying to get closer to him? Trying to get more work from Souths? The story you related wasn't balanced. For instance, Piggins left the football club in March 2003 and Nick Pappas became chairman. Nick Pappas has won 3 from 9 wooden spoons and he is still chairman now. Pappas has never won more games in a season than he has lost. You also forgot to mention that Souths is the only NRL club not to have made the finals in the last 4 years. You didn't mention that Crowe and Holmes a Court failed to honour their undertakings and promises for the leagues club. And what about our $11 million in liabilities? Since 2006, the football club's liabilities have grown each year by $1.4 million. The latest annual report mentions that the loans had to be renegotiated. I acknowledge the fact that you are very devoted to a movie star you obviously idolise, but please relate a balanced and truthful account.
darque
Guest
Hi Johnno, Thanks for your query. Please ignore Godfrey. He is a well known Rooster Member who dedicates his time to trolling forums, and now here apparently, using any chance possible to denigrate and rubbish Souths. What Godfrey fails to understand is that all NRL clubs, apart from the Broncos, are in debt. Including his club the Roosters. All A League teams are in debt and the AFL teams are in 40 to 50 mils worth of debt. Manchester United are in debt for over 450 million pounds, it's part of modern sport, sadly. No, George Piggins is not hated at Souths, he will always be a legend at the club. He failed to realise when change was needed and sadly a few friendships were ended over the takeover. Michael Maguire has made moves to bring George back to the club. Cheers
darque
Guest
Aaahh Godfrey, changed your name again? I've just realised who you are. Enjoying the warmer weather in the NT these days are you? LOL, go back to the Roosters and be loyal to your team.
darque
Guest
No, I am not in business with Souths in any way whatsoever, nor have I ever received one cent from Souths for any photographic work, so your petty sniping is inaccurate, incorrect and just plain wrong. Yes, I am working on a creative photographic project with Russell Crowe. However I am not sure how that changes all the improvements at Souths since he and Peter took over.