Porkies

Shane Richardson :

Richardson

[on becoming CEO]: "David Tapp is my first successful piece of recruitment....I am not about to start taking Penrith's players....My wife Kim will stay on as Penrith's merchandising manager." --- News, 4 June 2004

[on selecting a new Coach after the sacking of Paul Langmack]: "There is obviously a confidentiality element involved in all of this, so I won't be mentioning any names. But people would be stunned by some of the names. I think the calls I've had are an indication that the people who want to be involved recognise the potential at the club." --- SMH, 6 June 2004 (Richardson's mate Shaun McRae got the job)

[on the appointment of Shaun McRae]"I felt we needed somebody with a proven track record" - "I've been in the game now, in rugby league, for 16 years at this level and I haven't sacked a coach" - "I don't make appointments lightly and I don't sack coaches lightly" - "I can't be responsible for what's happened in the past. My track record has been that coaches are given an opportunity, so will Shaun McRae" --- AAP, 5 July 2004 (In 2006 PHaC also publicly guaranteed McRae's position after appointing Jason Taylor as assistant. McRae was sacked just weeks later)

[On providing a strategic business plan for the rebuilding of Souths]: "What those details are will come out over the next six to 12 months" - "What we're going to do here over the next six to 12 months is based on innovation, it's based on doing things a little differently and it's based on trying to make sure the club fast tracks itself towards success. And you don't fast track yourself towards success just by spending money" --- AAP, 5 July 2004 (The SSDRLFC recorded record financial losses in both 2004 and 2005 and was in such a parlous financial state at the end of 2005 that the club was forced into privatisation. In the interim Richardson had canvassed moves to the Central Coast, North Sydney and moved the SSDRLFC to Homebush all under the banner of 'securing the club's future')

[On the potential move to Telstra Stadium]: "The advantages we would get from this deal are fantastic and for the sake of the club's future we are looking strongly at going ahead with it. The money the deal would bring in would take a huge amount of pressure off the club and allow us to spend the money we need to spend to become more successful." --- Sun Herald, 27 February 2005

[On signing up to the Telstra Stadium move]: "The first point was to secure quality staff and rationalise our budgets both on and off the field - which we have done. The second was to develop a strong relationship with South Sydney Juniors which we have done and are continuing to work hard at. The third was to sign a major sponsor which was secure for two to three years which we have done through our partnership with Real Insurance. The fourth was to grow our membership base which we have done to the tune of over 9,500 members. The final piece of the jigsaw puzzle was to secure a strong partnership with a stadium that is willing to help build our crowds and build our business and provide us with financial security for the next four years. Telstra Stadium has done that." --- AAP, 16 March 2005 (Not one of the points raised was actually true)

[On signing the Rabbitohs to play at Telstra Stadium, Homebush]: "This will open up a bright new chapter for the Rabbitohs. Souths will have $2 million to spend on new players for next year." --- SMH, 17 March 2005

"I received a call from Manly offering Souths Monaghan's services." --- News, 1 August 2005 (Manly later revealed Richardson had actually contacted them)

"We have made it clear that we will be playing all 12 home games next season at our new home of Telstra Stadium and we will not take the Rabbitohs out of Sydney." --- AAP, 1 August 2005 (speaks for itself really)

"Shane Elford has signed a two year deal. Shane will add experience to our side for us next season. I'm looking forward to having Shane in the red and green for the next two seasons." --- News, 2 August 2005 (There was not contract and no signature, Elford backed away from the offer to stay at Wests Tigers)

"The investigations Peter [Holmes a Court] has held have been painstaking and expensive and very open - something like a quarter of a million dollars has already been spent..." --- SMH, 18 September 2005 (Not to mention the less open intelligence gathering...local and overseas PI's, garbage searches, surveillance, photographs, "paid consultants" like Wade Singleton, etc)

"We won't be panicking like we have in the past. There will be no pay cheques to help people retire. We've paid overs in the market before but the word panic is not part of the vocabulary now." --- NZ Herald, 21 April 2006

"Thanks for the opportunity to discuss Craig's [Wing] future. Unfortunately, we are not in a position to make an offer due to Salary Cap pressure at this time. We would have to move on a player to be able to make a decent offer and at this time we are unable to do it. This is a great disappointment but unfortunately a reality." --- Email to [Wing's former manager] Steve Gillis, 12 April 2007

[On the evils of gambling]: "At the end of the day this is a decision for the Leagues Club board, however I think it is a great social attitude to have and I concur that poker machines have no place in Redfern. We're building a Football Club around community projects through Souths Cares that is based on sporting heroes. Poker machines just don't fit in with the healthy lifestyle messages we are trying to promote through our Club." --- SSFC Official Press Release, 19 September 2007

[On Souths securing a new major sponsor after being dumped by Firepower at the end of the 2007 season] "We're closing in on three or four. We have the greatest confidence that we will have one before Christmas. This time last year, we were looking for three of four major sponsors.Now we are talking to about three or four companies about coming on board. That's how far the club has come in the last year. There is no concern about us not finding a replacement." --- SMH, 25 October 2007 (Of course it was not until 13 March 2008 with the season almost underway and with some heavy involvement by Russell Crowe that the NAB became the major sponsor)

[On his 'resignation' as Souths CEO] "My task was to re-establish the Rabbitohs as a force again in the NRL. At the end of the last season I sought out the owners and informed them that I was looking for a new challenge and that we needed to look closely at the best structure to carry the club forward to success, thinking outside of the box on that structure while ensuring stability.'' --- Townsville Bulletin, 1 November 2007

[Reasons for 'resigning' as SSFC CEO] "At the end of the last season I sought out the owners and informed them that I was looking for a new challenge and that we needed to look closely at the best structure to carry the club forward to success. I have chosen to take on this new challenge. And I thank Peter and Russell for their faith. It is crucial though that the hard work that has been put into rebuilding the team is capitalised on and I am looking forward to working with JT and Errol over the next 12 months to ensure the systems and structures are put in place to ensure the long-term success of the club. Football clubs need to run like businesses and members and fans want not only good footy but also good marketing, good membership packages and good customer service. The days when a football guy with a football head was ushered into administration roles at rugby league clubs are over. It's about running a business now" --- SSFC Press Conference, Woolloomooloo, 5 November 2007

[On releasing Peter Cusack to play in England] "It will give us a bit of space to create havoc next season" [On attempting to recruit Jarryd Hayne with the money] "We have had some fruitful conversations. Now we have to sit back and wait." --- The Australian, 23 November 2007 (Richardson's recruitment at the end of the 2007 season was dismal)

[On 'signing' Luke Lewis from Penrith]:“Luke has so much to he wants to achieve in the game, and at 24 years of age it is exciting that he sees South Sydney as a club where he can achieve those ambitions. He is a very fine player and he will add depth and versatility to our side. I am sure his best years are still ahead of him and we are delighted those years will be with the South Sydney Rabbitohs. It is a great sign that players of Luke’s quality want to play for the Rabbitohs and it shows how far we have come now that South Sydney is a club of choice for the game’s top players.” --- Souths Official Press Release, 2 April 2008 (When Lewis backed out of the deal not long afterwards it was revealed that, just like the Shane Elford 'signing' referred to above, there was no contract and that once again Shane Richardson had told porkies)

[On the attempted signing of Brett Hodgson] "Brett could play six, he could play fullback, when you watch him play for the Tigers he fills a variety of roles in attack. That's the sort of player we're in the market for plus his experience is invaluable." --- Sunday Telegraph, 5 May 2008 (Hodgson had already signed with Huddersfield, Richardson was just feeling the heat after being snubbed by Luke Lewis)

[Trying to cover up for the Luke Lewis debacle] "I knew after that meeting yesterday with Luke that we weren't going to sign him. But this means we have money to spend." --- SMH, 29 May 2008 (Lewis supposedly cited 'family reasons' for not wanting to leave Penrith to come to Souths but had secretly sought out a contract with the Bulldogs)

“This is the best depth Souths have had since the club last won the minor premiership, in 1989." --- SMH, 7 February 2009

[On signing up with on-line gambling facility BetEzy]: “We’ve not entered into this partnership lightly. We consulted our Members on this issue by sending them a Members First video over three weeks ago, explaining our options on sports betting, and the response we received was over 90% in support of moving ahead with a sponsorship agreement."--- SSFC Media Release, 19 February 2009

"I've been a rugby league administrator for 30 years, I've coached at every level of the game, I've sold more raffle tickets than anyone else in my position in the game I can assure you and it angers me that every time we start climbing up the ladder it gets kicked out from beneath us." --- NRL.com, 11 June 2009

There are people within the AFL that are deliberately spreading rumours that NRL games are going to be called off this weekend. It frustrates the hell out of me," --- NRL.com, 11 June 2009

[On Souths disastrous 'Sad Sunday' end of season drinks at The Forresters Hotel in Surry Hills] "We have a strict code of conduct and we have that for a reason. This club has a great behavioural record off-field. We don't condone Mad Monday or fund it - I said that last year and I said it again this year. We have banned Mad Monday. But banning people getting together for a drink is a difficult task. I told the players directly that we have a code of conduct in place. I am not in favour of Mad Monday in any way, shape or form." --- Daily Telegraph, 10 September 2009 (On 14 September 2009 the Sydney Morning Herald revealed that Russell Crowe had organised and paid for the two previous 'Mad Monday' celebrations at the end of the 2007 and 2008 seasons. The 2007 celebrations had also been at The Forresters)

The 'Secure Future' Series of Shane Richardson porkies:

"South Sydney are set to make the most dramatic move in the club's history and play all home games at Telstra Stadium from next year. This is all about securing the future of the Rabbitohs in Sydney," --- Sun Herald, 27 February 2005

"The Rabbitohs have agreed to a 4-year-deal with Olympic Stadium which they say will secure their financial position." --- South Sydney Media Release, 16 March 2005

[On Souths Juniors sponsorship]: "This secures our financial future." --- ABC Sport, 18 November 2005 (The SSDRLFC was at least $1.5 million in the red at the time)

"The South Sydney District Rugby League Football Club and the South Sydney Juniors have entered into a partnership which will secure the financial future of the Rabbitohs. South Sydney Juniors have agreed to a two-year, seven-figure deal to help fund the Football Club's operations, allowing the South Sydney DRLFC to operate financially on a level playing field with all other NRL clubs." --- Red & Green Magazine, February 2006 edition

"This partnership with the Juniors is what was required to have us competing with the top Clubs in the League, both on and off the field.. This partnership, and the deal we have struck with our new home ground Telstra Stadium, will secure us financially for the long term." --- Red & Green Magazine, February 2006 edition

"South Sydney CEO Shane Richardson says the Rabbitoh's decision to play NRL "home" matches in Perth and Gosford next season is all about securing the long-term future of the club." --- Fox Sports, 30 September 2008

Peter Holmes a Court :

Richardson

[After setting up with the AACo, demanding his inheritance from Heytesbury, and forcing that company into a large asset sale to find the cash PHaC was asked whether he was in direct competition with his own family]: "We don't see ourselves as being in competition with other producers" --- ABC Landline, 14 July 2001

[Promises on the development of the South Sydney Leagues Club]: "The Chalmers Street building will also be the headquarters for the football club and house a hall of fame - possibly for the game, and not just the Rabbitohs." --- SMH, 25 November 2006

[On Firepower's sponsorship of the Rabbitohs]: "Rabbitohs' Major Home Corporate Partner for the next three years"... [describing Firepower]: "an Australian success story - operating in over 50 countries globally" --- Souths Official Press Release, November 2006

[Responding to Gerald Ryle and Jacqueline Magnays' SMH extensive investigation into the Firepower scam]: "I have done due diligence on the company [Firepower]" --- SMH, 20th January 2007

[On Trivest's sponsorship of the Rabbitohs]: "There's no bullshit in there, it's a $2.8 million deal" --- AAP, 1 March 2007

"We are all for free speech on the web and we encourage constructive debate" --- Official SSFC Press Release, 13 March 2007

"There is simply no place in our Club for anyone who uses the pen or the keyboard to personally attack other members of our family." --- Souths, PHaC Open Letter to John Sattler, 7 April 2007 (Of course PHaC at that stage did not realise that Rebel Rabbitohs would reveal his true role during the March 2006 EGM campaign)

[On the making of 'South Side Story'] "Taking part in this film was the scariest thing I've done since buying the club. Normally as a businessman you have your hand on the tiller but with this I didn't. The ABC's editorial guidelines meant we didn't have any control at all, so it was stressful: you don't know how you're going to come out of it. The result a lifting of the veil, an honest look at the guts of the club"--- Sydney Morning Herald, 6 August 2007. (It is common knowledge that there was a 'no' list of people who the club did not want interviewed about the privatisation campaign)

"It was a money-losing business then. It had a negative balance sheet of minus $1.5 million, but we invested $3 million as a gift to keep it alive, then an extra $2.5 million as an investment to help the club grow. Just a year later, the club's value is estimated at somewhere between $15 and $20 million." --- Daily Telegraph, 23 October 2007

"I am completely comfortable with the idea that you can be a successful person in business and be a well-balanced person who cares about community and family" --- Daily Telegraph, 23 October 2007

[On Shane Richardson resigning as Rabbitohs CEO and taking up the CEO's job in PHaC's 'The Passionate Group' company]: "Shane has done an unbelievable job in his role as CEO. He's had to endure a lot of pressure and turn around an underperforming business." --- AAP, 31 October 2007

[On the ending of Firepower's sponsorship of the Rabbitohs]: "That was always intended to be a one-year sponsorship to raise the profile of Firepower's Australian regional office" --- AAP, 24 November 2007 (Just 12 months previously PHaC was lauding the Firepower sponsorship as a 3 year deal that made the Rabbitohs the envy of Australian sport)

[On the Rabbitohs privatisation]: "Russell and I are the only owners of a rugby team in Australia, which is a bizarre concept. Australian teams tend to be clubbased, where the members own the team. We're the only business people buying a team and turning it around. There's no model in Australia for what we're doing." --- The Florida Times Union - Jacksonville.com, 20 December 2007 (PHaC conveniently left out that Max Dalmeage owns 2008 NRL Premiers, Manly, and that several NRL clubs are owned by News Ltd)

[On lying]: "Sometimes you are asked a question and you don't lie. If you are trying to get a player and you're talking to his agent and you're talking to the player. And you're asked a straight question, sometimes you don't lie, sometimes you tell the truth." --- SSTV Q&A, Souths Official Website, 1 May 2008

[On being punted as Executive Chairman]: "I was executive chairman for two years, unpaid, and supported the club because I believe in the club and I had done what I believe are the chunky long term things," --- ABC, 3 June 2008

Nicholas Pappas :

Pappas

[On being offered a compromise Board by George Piggins prior to the 2003 SSDRLFC Board election]: "He effectively wants me to be a stooge chairman with a board that he controls from the outside. I'm not prepared to be a stooge chairman. If I'm going to be a director of the company I want to be able to carry out my duties, not have it controlled by five people who are appointed by George. If that's the alternative, and a split board like that won't work, I'd prefer that George wins the election and carries on." --- AAP, 7 April 2003 (The next day Pappas compromised exactly that way; five Piggins appointed directors and four appointed by Pappas including himself. From that day on Pappas spun the line that the Board was united and all decisions were 9-0)

"South Sydney's board has voted 9 - 0 to commit the club to Aussie Stadium at Moore Park till 2010." ---Sun Herald, 15 February 2004

[On his role as SSDRLFC Chairman and accountability]: "Of course, as I should be. As should the whole board, and maybe senior management as well. We are there to do something. If we don't do it, we've got to go. It's as simple as that. I don't plan to stay in the position for a very long time. I plan to get this done fairly quickly. I'm not someone who plans to be chairman of Souths for 10 years. I want to be there, get the job done and hand over to someone who will make a good successor. Replenishment, refreshment, renewal is very important on boards." --- Rugby League Week interview, 7 April 2004

[On the potential signing of Braith Anasta]: "Watch this space" --- AAP, 2 June 2004 (It was well known well before June 30 in NRL circles that Anasta had signed with the Roosters)

[Blaming George Piggins for the SSDRLFC's poor financial position]: "The source of our financial problems is the inability of our own leagues club to give us a grant each year. Their club, because of its poor trading, has been unable to provide a grant for the football club." --- AAP, 16 December 2005

[On the health of Boards of Directors]: "Change is a good thing, it's something I've always advocated. New blood on the board, replenishing boards, is something I believe in." --- AAP, 16 December 2005 (Pappas had said almost exactly the same thing in an RLW interview in April 2004 - see above)

"This is the mandate Members gave my Board and we have delivered on all our promises." --- 19/3/06, South Sydney Media Release

[On Shane Richardson's resignation as SSFC CEO to take on the Passionate Group CEO's role]: "With tenacity and determination, he took to the task of re-building the Rabbitohs and over the next two years successfully laid the platform for the Club's momentous transition to its new corporate structure. Since then, he has brought football credibility back to our Club and many of the results of his hard work are still only just becoming apparent." --- Souths Official Press Release, 31 October 2007 (In fact Richardson and Pappas had no such strategy and had overseen massive financial losses which resulted in the club being privatised, and the club continuously languishing at the bottom of the NRL table both actually and statistically)

"Shane Richardson has done an unbelievable job in his role as CEO since he joined the Club in 2004... Shane has brought football credibility back to our club and many of the results of his hard work are only just becoming apparent...Rabbitoh Members and supporters everywhere owe Shane Richardson a huge debt of gratitude." --- South Sydney Media Release, 1 November 2007

[The 2010 Member Co AGM]: AFTER losing $7 million in the previous two years, South Sydney chairman Nicholas Pappas yesterday announced the Rabbitohs had turned a profit for the first time in recent memory last season --- Sydney Morning Herald, 8 March 2010 (Pappas had told Souths Members and the media that the SSFC had made a $260,000 profit. The reality was that in the Annual Report it stated - "The Company operating profit before financing costs of South Sydney District Rugby League Football Club Limited for the year was $234,815 (2008: loss of $2,554,919), and the Company operating loss after financing costs was $258,527 (2008: $2,828,925). After taking in to account exceptional items, the Consolidated operating loss of South Sydney District Rugby League Football Club Limited for the year was $258,527 (2008: $4,135,036)")

Coming Soon :

Rebel Rabbitohs: Truth @ Souths...

Rebel Rabbitohs

Truth at Souths...

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