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Reborn Rabbitohs bid to keep leagues club at Redfern - SMH 10th November 2006
In a stunning development in the battle for control of Souths, Rabbitohs executive chairman Peter Holmes a Court revealed that the football club's $13.1 million offer to administrators of the licensed club was the only one that would keep South Sydney Leagues Club in its current location opposite Redfern Oval.
Coincidentally, work has just begun on the $19m redevelopment of the ground, which is to house a state-of-the-art training facility and gymnasium for Souths players, who yesterday had their first hit-out under Taylor's guidance at Erskineville Oval.
But leagues club members will be asked to consider two bids, believed to be from property developers and involve moving the licensed premises elsewhere, when they vote on the proposals at an extraordinary general meeting early next month.
Holmes a Court confirmed that the football club's offer was the same as the one that had been tabled last October and included a hall of fame, merchandise outlet and public gym.
"Our proposal is to keep the leagues club where it is, refurbish it, put it in a smaller space so it fits and works and is profitable - and turn the building to work, because it's been unrented for some time," Holmes a Court said. "We want to continue to build a presence in Redfern and we believe the football club's proposal is the best option to keep the strong historic ties between the two organisations.
"We understand the other proposals to the administrator force a relocation of the leagues club away from Redfern, which will effectively sever its links with the football club."
The Rabbitohs yesterday confirmed a three-year sponsorship deal, believed to be worth about $1m, in which Perth-based fuel technology company Firepower will advertise its name on their home jersey. The club will have separate sponsors for its away jersey and training gear.
Of perhaps more importance to Souths' hopes of on-field success next season, the surface at Erskineville Oval has been laser levelled, $120,000 of new gym equipment has been installed and a theatre constructed for team meetings, video sessions and media conferences.
"I was pretty excited driving in today," said Taylor, who returned from an overseas honeymoon only on Wednesday. "Often when there is a bit of promise about we're going to do this or we're going to do that, it takes a long time - but things are happening really fast around here and everyone can feel it.
"The players are excited about things like this announcement today of the new sponsor, and the wheels keep ticking over, which is really great."
Apart from New Zealand internationals Nigel Vagana, Roy Asotasi, David Kidwell and David Fa'alogo, the entire Rabbitohs squad was in attendance - including new recruits Dean Widders, Jeremy Smith, Daniel Irvine and Reece Simmonds.
Taylor said the Kiwis quartet, who are in the starting line-up for tomorrow night's Test against Great Britain, would be given time off from training until January.
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