Parramatta legend Brett Kenny says the Kieran Foran saga has damaged the club’s ability to attract star players as the Eels board hit out at what it claimed were attempts to destabilise it.
Foran is preparing to walk away from Parramatta after the club sought to re-work his $4.8 million contract signed three months ago, after the board discovered two clauses which had previously gone unnoticed.
Kenny, a four-time premiership winner who played 265 premiership matches in the blue and gold, said he no longer wanted to have anything to do with his beloved former club and could only laugh from afar as he watched it “go down the drain”.
He criticised the Eels board and administration for attempting to change Foran’s deal, predicting it had damaged its future recruitment plans and chances of landing star signings.
“What would you do if you were a player? You wouldn’t want to go there,” Kenny said.
“You’d be frightened that when you agree to a contract that they are going to turn around at some stage – whether it be change of board or something like that – and look at it and say `this is a ridiculous contract, change it and give him this one’.
“I wouldn’t want to go through that.”
Kenny, who was was part of the great Eels sides of the 1980s alongside the likes of Peter Sterling, Eric Grothe Sr and Michael Cronin, said he felt sorry for the fans and that the club needed a clean out at board level.
Foran has expressed his disappointment at the club as rival teams chase his services, should he opt out of the deal.
The Eels are attempting to renegotiate Foran’s deal after it discovered his contract included a get-out clause and a $1 million damages payout.
Foran’s deal was negotiated by former chief executive Scott Seward, who left the club last week, and after the fine print of the contract was examined by Eels management they began attempting to re-work it.
Eels chairman Steve Sharp said the club is still hopeful of having the services of Foran next NRL season and they were working through it with his management.
A group of fans is preparing to hold a rally outside the Parramatta Leagues Club on Friday afternoon under the banner of `Reclaim Our Eels’ to express their displeasure with management.
Fans have taken to social media and internet forums promising to rip up their memberships and boycott the club.
Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy described the saga as a black eye for rugby league and made the game look like “a bunch of amateurs”.
Sharp says the club has been the victim of unwarranted and vicious attacks and that “self-serving” individuals are seeking to destabilise it.
The club has lurched from crisis to crisis in recent months including being hit with a salary cap breach, the departure of Seward and the Foran contract saga.
Sharp on Thursday hit out at what he called attempts to undermine the board by those who had failed to get elected at May’s club elections.
“We have continued to push forward with a positive agenda. We are disappointed that some self-serving individuals are seeking to destabilise our club through the media during this period,” Sharp said in a statement to fans.
“These unwarranted attacks must cease.”
John Mahoney
Roar Rookie
I really don't know if BA is the answer. My feeling though, is that we should stick by him and let him see it through. We've churned through a ridiculous amount of coaches, giving another one the flick will not help bring any stability to the club. From where I stand, only one player seems to have any issue with Brad, the rest all sing his praises. That's a pretty good start. And as far as Bert is concerned, please don't get me wrong, for a long time I was his greatest fan. Post retirement he's had coaching gigs, media positions, and he's failed to make a long term go of any of them. Whilst he was a genius league player, I severely doubt he's up to boardroom standard. No worse than the current crop you say? I believe he would be far worse in such a role. I think many people at Parra would agree that he needs to stop wholesale bagging of the club whenever a journo rings him for a quote. And to answer your question on the board, no one is more frustrated with their continual "stuff ups" than me. But they were voted in by the members, I reckon we're stuck with em until at least the next election. If they continue to stuff up they should get voted out. If they do, I only hope that a much more capable and thus long standing board comes in.
steveng
Roar Rookie
So what John, is Brad Arthur the answer? Is the current board and all their cohorts and their list of 'stuff ups' the right people to continue? I think, and I'm sure that there are allot of other people at Parra who think that Brett Kenny should be given a go, he can't be or do any worst then the jokers that they have running the club now.
fazed
Guest
Yeah Mate, he stood out in the team even when he was injured & soldiered on, a great team that played & stayed together on & off the field, now they can only get together in a boxing ring or so it seems with some.
John Mahoney
Roar Rookie
Spot on fazed. Probably my favourite player of that era, he was given many chances post retirement, but unfortunately he wasn't up to scratch. He's not just voicing his concern steveng, he's one of the culprits stirring the pot, trying to get himself back into the club for his own personal gain, rather than for the good of the club.
fazed
Guest
John Sadly Brett is one of the batch of "club legends" of that specific era who incidently played alonside the current chairman, who also did not get the same accolades as the others in the batch, that stayed out of the way until the year that Spagnolo was elected, with Bretty & the others pushing the change, which turned out to be worse than under the emperor. These legends are still at it as they try to install the board of their desire & work against all those that are not in their team. Brett also has been for years trying to become a coach at the club under the forme emperors reign, but was not considered. He offers up this sort of advice whenever theirs a hint of problems at the club & I wonder why & where a lot comes from.
Fairdinkum
Roar Rookie
Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy described the saga as a black eye for rugby league and made the game look like “a bunch of amateurs”. There's the pot calling the kettle black.Cap scandal,underhanded wrestling tackles,tantrums in the coaches box etc etc.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Brett is not twisted or bitter, Brett is like I'm sure many people involved at club level with Parra who are voicing their concern(s), it reminds me very much of what happened at Souths.
John Mahoney
Roar Rookie
It's really sad to see Brett "rentaquote" Kenny tearing into the Eels. The only reason he refuses to have anything to do with the club is because he isn't wanted there. He'd be there in a heartbeat if he had the chance. Such a shame to see such a legend of the game so bitter and twisted.
Jay C
Roar Guru
They should replace their board with an actual lump of 2 by 4, then set it on fire and throw it at Kieran Foran. It would be less damaging than the current set up.
big J
Guest
I really think that Parra is in a dream land at the moment and Freddy is coming for you. It's time for Parra to wake and realizes some things 1. Foran ain't going to play for you!!!!!!! He is just playing the same stupid game that DCE did so he can get more money and security out of Manly 2. Hayne aint never coming back, surprisely from what i have scene he is doing quite well over in the States for the 49er's and if he was ever to come back he would not be stupid enough to play for Parra and that's if the club is still around by then 3. Your coach is not up to the task so get rid of him, normally i hate it when people say blame the coach but it this case it is clearly his fault.
Muzz
Guest
...
Muzz
Guest
I seriously can't see Hayne playing for the Eels when he returns. The worlds best player deserves to play for a professionally run club. A club that also has an organic fruit van at training : )
steveng
Roar Rookie
Start with the coach Brad Arthur and then work your way up from there. This bloke is useless and seems to attack and do stupid things with all players that don't play it the way he wants them to, and that is irrespective of their playing styles. Get rid of Brad Arthur and Parra will come good. Just my little bit to stir the leaking boat called the Parra Eels.