Piggins and Holmes a Court divided on Redfern Oval and the future of South Sydney December 2005

Businessman Peter Holmes a Court and actor Russell Crowe could become the majority own­ers of South Sydney Football Club when they table a proposal that asks the club's members to approve privatisation.

Under the deal, Holmes a Court and Crowe will gain 75% ownership of the Football Club. Members will own the other 25% of shares and would have veto power on issues relating to the team's colours, Iogo and loca­tion. This would provide a safe­guard to ensure the Rabbitohs aren't relocated and that the,club is managed in accordance to its traditions.

If the proposal is accepted the South Sydney Football team is unlikely, to play NRL games at Redfern Oval. Holmes a Court is against playing there because the stadium's capacity would be only 12,000 people. His position on Redfern Oval has created tension between himself and Leagues Club president George Piggins.

When asked about the Holmes a Court proposal, Piggins said, "It all depends on how Holmes a Court wants- to help South Syd­ney. What I've asked is that he agrees South Sydney should go back to Redfern Oval. If we don't fight for Redfern Oval-then there won't be a Football Club."

Piggins is rallying public sup­port against Sydney City Lord Mayor Clover Moore because she does not support his redevelop­ment plan for Redfern Oval. He wants the Rabbitohs to play a handful of games there but his application has been rejected by City of Sydney Council. Moore has, however, agreed to build a professional-level training ground for the Football Club at Redfern Oval.

Holmes a Court said, "City of Sydney Council wants to give the Rabbitohs a first class train­ing facility and that's the best outcome for the Football Club. I do not believe in the commercial viability of playing NRL games at Redfern Oval. When I go to the football, the first two things I want are a seat and a beer. Redfern Oval would be a dry ground (no alcohol licence) with only 1000 seats and no corporate boxes.

"If Souths win more than three matches at the start of the season, then you can expect 20,000 peo­ple at the games. Why would the Football Club ever consider lock­ing itself into a football stadium for NRL matches that it hopefully won't fit into?

Piggins disagrees with Holmes a Court's assessment. "You're always going_, to have your good and bad games. At Aussie Sta­dium if we get under 8000 you lose money. We're better off financially playing at Redfern Oval. It's since we moved from Redfern that we've gone down­hill," he said.

The difference of opinion between Piggins and Holmes a Court could be a significant hur­dle to South Sydney Football Club becoming successful on and off the field. Holmes a Court wants to restructure the Leagues Club so it will be financially viable and able to fund the Football Club with money from increased revenues and through the rental income generated by proper­ties that it owns. The proposal, however, is unlikely to go ahead unless Piggins gives his support to the deal.

Piggins and Holmes a Court met recently to discuss the future of South Sydney and both parties described the talks as promising. Key components of Holmes a Court's proposal for the Leagues' Club include that he and Crowe will underwrite the $7.5 million dollars of debt accumulated by the Leagues Club. The pair would then invest a further $3 million dollars through renovations. This plan will likely to be improved on because former tennis player John Alexander has also expressed an interest in investing with the Leagues Club.

Holmes a Court said he thinks a deal can be brokered with the Leagues Club. "I'd be surprised if the Leagues Club resisted the opportunity to use their assets to support the Football Club. We've all got the same goal, which is to help the Football Club, and we'll get beyond the Redfern Oval issue," he said.

Football Club chairman, Nick Pappas, said, "Peter's position on Redfern Oval makes it harder for him to achieve his proposal. He can't do it without the support of the Leagues Club members. It would also help to have the sup­port of the board".

Pappas expects there will be a bid to privatise South Sydney Football Club even if Holmes a Court isn't able to work out a deal with the Leagues Club. He said, "Peter Holmes a Court is a very valued supporter of the Football Club who has already contributed significantly to the club in terms of sponsorship. South Sydney always wanted to attract the big business side of town, now that they want to be involved we need to accommodate them."