[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 (Shane left his wife there alright. But he brought along the Penrith supporters club president, married her and then gave his new wife and daughter jobs at Souths)

[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 (Souths were heavily in debt, broke and had to be privatised by the end of the year)

[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, the following year Souths were playing games at Gosford)

"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 (Souths are now sponsored by 'Bunnybet' through BetEzy and Star City Casino)

[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  (An absolute classic!)

[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 (There was no poll and no consultation with Members)

"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)

"We've made no approaches to Greg Inglis or his management, and we've got no plans to make any approach. No one representing the club, and that includes Russell, has spoken to them. We would have no room under the salary cap to allow us to even think about it." --- SMH, 29 July 2010 (Refer to Russell Crowe's interview with Jay Leno of 16 November 2010, where Crowe admits to contacting Inglis and his manager back in June 2010) 

[On the prospect of having to release Souths players to sign Greg Inglis] ''No, we are not getting rid of players. No one - least of all Roy Asotasi - has to leave the club. We have not offered players to other clubs. And we won't need to. We have room in our cap, third-party options and the marquee player allowance has increased.'' --- Fairfax Press,  7 November 2010  - [And again] "We don't have to get rid of any players," he said. "There is a lot of speculation about that. It's not right."--- Daily Telegraph, 26 November 2010  (Of course the reality was that Souths Junior Beau Champion and utility Jamie Simpson both were releasesd)  

[On the rumours about the Inglis fiasco]"I've got to say I don't Twitter and I don't Facebook so I don't give a damn." --- The Australian, 16 December 2010 (The reality is that Shane Richardson does have a Facebook profile and the club, of which Richardson is CEO, has a paid employee releasing Twitters)  

[On the reveletion by Rebel Rabbitohs that a Souths player had been physically removed from an inner city hotel for drunken, abusive behaviour following a bender on the drink and the pokies - when asked by Phil Rothfield of the Telegraph]"Hadn't seen it until you pointed it out. First I have heard about it. I take no notice of this mob. If I have any facts I would check it out. Thanks." --- Sunday Telegraph, 16 January 2011 - [Following further investigation by journalists it was uncovered that it was Chris Sandow at the Pavilion Hotel who was the offending player. Richo's response came] "When you first pointed it out to me, I thought it must have been something that had happened recently because this thing with Chris happened in August and we dealt with it at the time. I won't say how much he was fined because that's between the player and the club, but I can assure you it was very heavy."--- Sunday Telegraph, 23 January 2011. (Really Shane? You didn't know which incident of gambling, drunken-ness and threats of violence it was?) 

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  

14/03/10: Sydney Morning Herald - when asked whether Souths was interested in signing Sonny Bill Williams: "Not even a chance. No money."

07/05/10: SSFC announces extended contracts for Scott Geddes, Shannon McPherson, Shaune Corrigan, and Chris McQueen.

07/06/10: SSFC announces that Ben Lowe has re-signed for the 2011 and 2012 seasons. Shane Richardson: "Ben Lowe has been one of the unsung heroes of our forward pack so far this season and he thoroughly deserves his contract extension."

22/06/10: SSFC publishes in its News Section that there will be, among other changes, a $100,000 lift in the Salary Cap for 2011 onwards.

02/07/10: SSFC announces the re-signings of Fetuli Talanoa and Junior VaiVai.

18/07/10: The Age newspaper asked Richardson which of the Storm's "Fab 4" (Inglis, Slater, Smith, or Cronk) Souths would like to sign. Richardson answered: "Billy Slater would be the one that we'd chase, but we've got no money under the salary cap. So all we can do is window-shop at this stage."

27/07/10: Shane Richardson to The Telegraph: "We've made no approach to Greg Inglis or his management and we've got no plans to make any approach. We would have no room under the salary cap to allow us to even think about it."

18/08/10: The Cronulla Sharks announces the signing of Colin Best for two seasons.

19/08/10: SSFC announces that it had re-signed Rhys Wesser for 2011. Richardson: "Rhys is the complete professional and we're very pleased that he will be with us for a further year."

26/08/10: The Daily Telegraph quotes Shane Richardson: "We offered Luke Capewell a deal back in April or May and he decided to knock it back. We said at the time there would be no guarantees after that and since then we've signed a lot of juniors from the Toyota Cup side, which is on top of the ladder, including Matt Mundine and Malcolm Webster. We don't have any money left under the cap."

14/09/10: SSFC announces the re-signing of Blake Judd and Nathan Peats.

05/10/10: SSFC announces that Ben Ross has re-signed for two years. Richardson: "Ben is effectively a new recruit for 2011 and we're looking forward to seeing his return to his damaging best over the next two years."

14/10/10: SMH: Souths are close to locking Issac Luke away to a lengthy deal...Luke's manager Gavin Orr said: "We'll sort something out over the next few months. Luke's trying to concentrate on the 4 Nations. We'll wait until that's over and look at everything else."

24/10/10: AAP - Issac Luke is considering knocking back a mammoth offer to remain at Souths for the next 5 years in favour of linking with Parramatta. Luke is contracted to the Rabbitohs for next year and Souths officials are desperate to extend the stay of perhaps the most influential player until the end of 2015.

25/10/10: NZ Sunday-Times newspaper: Issac Luke says he won't make a final decision on his future until after the 4 Nations.

29/10/10: SMH: ...Souths Shane Richardson has stated his desire to have all four Burgess brothers in the cardinal and myrtle...it could be a reality by the start of next season. Richardson: "We'd like to have them all here as soon as possible. It would be great if it could happen next year." Souths are confident they can squeeze the Burgess boys under the salary cap by including George and Tom in Toyota Cup and Luke in the first grade squad.

 

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