Themis
29-05-08, 05:55 AM
http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/its-back-to-the-future-as-everything-old-is-new-again/2008/05/26/1211653942421.html
Brad Walter | May 27, 2008
JUST two years after South Sydney members voted to give control of the club to Russell Crowe and Peter Holmes a Court, the Rabbitohs have gone back to the future with the appointment of Shane Richardson as chief executive and Nicholas Pappas as chairman yesterday.
The pair held the same positions before Crowe and Holmes a Court bought their 75 per cent stake in the foundation club for $3 million but had until now taken a back seat as the multimillionaire owners called the shots.
With Souths again struggling on and off the field, Richardson and Pappas were reinstated after a long board meeting in which Holmes a Court stepped aside as executive chairman.
"Right now, it's my belief that what South Sydney needs is the continuity, knowledge and experience that both Nick Pappas and Shane Richardson bring," Crowe said. "Both men come from within the Souths family and both men understand intimately how to take advantage of the progress the club has made."
Richardson and Pappas were responsible for taking the bold proposal to privatise the famous club, whose working-class roots are reflected in a nickname derived from the men who used to sell rabbits for food on the streets of Redfern a century ago, to Souths members and publicly backed the sale.
Pappas had remained as elected chairman of the football club, which retained the other 25 per cent stake and holds the "golden" share that ensures Crowe and Holmes a Court can not relocate the team, change the name, colours or logo without the approval of members.
With Holmes a Court taking on the executive chairman's role, Richardson was shifted to the new role of director of football and the chief executive's job advertised but never filled - leading to accusations of wasteful spending.
Holmes a Court said he was committed to the club and rejected speculation he was considering walking away from his investment.
"As I promised, I am handing over the chairmanship to Nicholas Pappas. I remain a director, a very long-term shareholder and a member ready to support the team this Sunday at ANZ Stadium," he said.
Pappas said he was "delighted" to regain the chairmanship "at a time when we have the ongoing support of two committed investors and a thriving membership", and thanked Holmes a Court.
"Together with Russell Crowe, Peter will continue to make an important contribution to the club both as an investor and as a board member, as he has done over the past two years," Pappas said.
Brad Walter | May 27, 2008
JUST two years after South Sydney members voted to give control of the club to Russell Crowe and Peter Holmes a Court, the Rabbitohs have gone back to the future with the appointment of Shane Richardson as chief executive and Nicholas Pappas as chairman yesterday.
The pair held the same positions before Crowe and Holmes a Court bought their 75 per cent stake in the foundation club for $3 million but had until now taken a back seat as the multimillionaire owners called the shots.
With Souths again struggling on and off the field, Richardson and Pappas were reinstated after a long board meeting in which Holmes a Court stepped aside as executive chairman.
"Right now, it's my belief that what South Sydney needs is the continuity, knowledge and experience that both Nick Pappas and Shane Richardson bring," Crowe said. "Both men come from within the Souths family and both men understand intimately how to take advantage of the progress the club has made."
Richardson and Pappas were responsible for taking the bold proposal to privatise the famous club, whose working-class roots are reflected in a nickname derived from the men who used to sell rabbits for food on the streets of Redfern a century ago, to Souths members and publicly backed the sale.
Pappas had remained as elected chairman of the football club, which retained the other 25 per cent stake and holds the "golden" share that ensures Crowe and Holmes a Court can not relocate the team, change the name, colours or logo without the approval of members.
With Holmes a Court taking on the executive chairman's role, Richardson was shifted to the new role of director of football and the chief executive's job advertised but never filled - leading to accusations of wasteful spending.
Holmes a Court said he was committed to the club and rejected speculation he was considering walking away from his investment.
"As I promised, I am handing over the chairmanship to Nicholas Pappas. I remain a director, a very long-term shareholder and a member ready to support the team this Sunday at ANZ Stadium," he said.
Pappas said he was "delighted" to regain the chairmanship "at a time when we have the ongoing support of two committed investors and a thriving membership", and thanked Holmes a Court.
"Together with Russell Crowe, Peter will continue to make an important contribution to the club both as an investor and as a board member, as he has done over the past two years," Pappas said.