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21-05-08, 12:15 AM
Souths deny fallout
By Dean Ritchie | May 21, 2008
SOUTH Sydney executive director Peter Holmes a Court last night admitted he has had "frequent disagreements" with co-owner Russell Crowe - but denied the pair had fallen out.
His comments come amid on-going suggestions about a rift between the high-profile owners, who historically bought the famous club two years ago.
Holmes a Court, who will shortly leave as club executive director but remain a board member, did not attend Monday's night lop-sided loss to Canberra in Canberra, but Crowe did.
Sources within the game claim the friendship between Holmes a Court and Crowe has certainly cooled this year. "I wouldn't call it a fallout,'' Holmes a Court said. "We are working on the hard issues. We have frequent disagreements.''
Pressed again by The Daily Telegraph on whether there was tension, Holmes a Court said: "I have known Russell for seven years. He is a very intense person with an incredible work ethic. We don't always agree.
"But I don't think it's a rift and I don't believe it's a rift. I can't respond to hypotheticals.''
Sources claim Crowe was frustrated at Souths' horror start to the season while he was stranded in the US filming. The players were also upset about the pressure they played under earlier this season when Holmes a Court made some bold statements in the media.
"No doubt if I was sitting in America - a long way from every game - I would find it incredibly frustrating,'' Holmes a Court said.
"I spoke to Russell and we traded text messages until very late last night. These are very challenging times and we have to find a way through. I'm glad he's back and he is giving the side a lot of energy and focus. That is great for team morale.''
The Daily Telegraph yesterday emailed Crowe about the situation but he did not reply. The Rabbitohs are outright last on the NRL competition table, having won just one game this season.
The club is now $1.70 favourites for the wooden spoon, according to TAB Sportsbet.
Holmes a Court said he would continue to work with Crowe to re-establish Souths and had no plans to walk away. "Yes, we will continue to work together,'' he said. "I will be stepping down at some point as executive chairman but will remain a director.
"It is hard work at the moment and these are very testing times. But it is just as hard for those long-term fans and for the players. It is generally hard work and there is heaps of pain.''
Then asked would he remain at the club, he said: "I'm an investor and I'm a fan. Those aren't about to change anytime soon.''
Shane Richardson, Souths director of football operations, was unaware of any drama between the club's two owners. "I don't make comments about those sort of things,'' Richardson said. "They're the owners. Ring them and ask. That's not my area.''
By Dean Ritchie | May 21, 2008
SOUTH Sydney executive director Peter Holmes a Court last night admitted he has had "frequent disagreements" with co-owner Russell Crowe - but denied the pair had fallen out.
His comments come amid on-going suggestions about a rift between the high-profile owners, who historically bought the famous club two years ago.
Holmes a Court, who will shortly leave as club executive director but remain a board member, did not attend Monday's night lop-sided loss to Canberra in Canberra, but Crowe did.
Sources within the game claim the friendship between Holmes a Court and Crowe has certainly cooled this year. "I wouldn't call it a fallout,'' Holmes a Court said. "We are working on the hard issues. We have frequent disagreements.''
Pressed again by The Daily Telegraph on whether there was tension, Holmes a Court said: "I have known Russell for seven years. He is a very intense person with an incredible work ethic. We don't always agree.
"But I don't think it's a rift and I don't believe it's a rift. I can't respond to hypotheticals.''
Sources claim Crowe was frustrated at Souths' horror start to the season while he was stranded in the US filming. The players were also upset about the pressure they played under earlier this season when Holmes a Court made some bold statements in the media.
"No doubt if I was sitting in America - a long way from every game - I would find it incredibly frustrating,'' Holmes a Court said.
"I spoke to Russell and we traded text messages until very late last night. These are very challenging times and we have to find a way through. I'm glad he's back and he is giving the side a lot of energy and focus. That is great for team morale.''
The Daily Telegraph yesterday emailed Crowe about the situation but he did not reply. The Rabbitohs are outright last on the NRL competition table, having won just one game this season.
The club is now $1.70 favourites for the wooden spoon, according to TAB Sportsbet.
Holmes a Court said he would continue to work with Crowe to re-establish Souths and had no plans to walk away. "Yes, we will continue to work together,'' he said. "I will be stepping down at some point as executive chairman but will remain a director.
"It is hard work at the moment and these are very testing times. But it is just as hard for those long-term fans and for the players. It is generally hard work and there is heaps of pain.''
Then asked would he remain at the club, he said: "I'm an investor and I'm a fan. Those aren't about to change anytime soon.''
Shane Richardson, Souths director of football operations, was unaware of any drama between the club's two owners. "I don't make comments about those sort of things,'' Richardson said. "They're the owners. Ring them and ask. That's not my area.''