Statement from Chairman Richard Peil
Dear CCM Fans,
The purpose of this email is to set the record straight.
The first time I became aware of the decision to host the next 3 years of grand finals in Sydney was 8:00pm on Sunday night, the 11th December. Prior to that, I had no idea it was even being contemplated. It was a total surprise, and frankly not a pleasant one.
Myself, and the Central Coast Mariners FC, were not consulted about the decision in any way prior to it being made. If we were consulted, we would have advocated strongly for an alternative, fairer model, one where every club gets a genuine, equal opportunity to host. There are many other sporting leagues worldwide that wrestle with this issue and I’m certain we could have taken inspiration from their approaches, if we were involved in the process.
When the League made the decision to host the matches in Sydney, it did so with the support of all five clubs who currently hold voting rights, which doesn’t include us. I do believe those decision makers genuinely felt they were making the right decision to ensure League’s financial stability. However, it is clear to me that the decision making framework needs to be reviewed, as all clubs are in different positions, are different sizes, and have different needs. A transition to a collaborative framework must be considered. All clubs need to share in these decision making processes, and share in the privilege & burden of being responsible for those decisions to our fans and stakeholders.
Yesterday, Tuesday 13th December, I participated in an unscheduled Owners meeting to discuss what the League would do now, given the strong criticism being levied against the decision from fans. This meeting was the first and only opportunity that our club has had to become involved.
During that meeting yesterday, by virtue of the decision having already been made, I was forced to vote for either trying to pull out of the deal with Destination NSW, or continuing with the arrangement that had already been struck and announced. Frankly, it was a lose-lose decision.
If the vote went in favour of attempting to pull out of the deal, it was not certain if that was legally even possible. It was also made abundantly clear that exiting the deal would result in hundreds of thousands of dollars in essential funding to the Mariners from the League being drastically reduced. Further, the advice I received from genuine government relations experts was that ripping up a locked-in deal after already announcing it would severely impact the League’s ability, and the ability of each club within it, to secure government support, funding and relationships moving forward. As one of the smallest clubs in the league, and one that currently loses millions of dollars every year, we rely on funding from the League, and we rely on being able to have positive relationships with government moving forward. Frankly, both are essential to our long term viability. Our pockets just aren’t as deep as other clubs’.
On the other hand, I am first and foremost a football fan. That’s why I became involved in the club back in May 2023, I love football and I want to make a positive difference to the Australian game. Some of the best days of my life, and the majority of my inner circle of friends, are derived from my involvement in football. From this lens, I know how angry and upset I would personally be if my club made it to a grand final without having a chance to host it at home. Candidly, I’d be furious.
Ten out of the eleven clubs that participated in yesterday’s meeting ultimately voted in favour of not trying to pull out of the deal that had already been made. I can’t speak for the internal dialogue and thought process that the other clubs’ representatives went through. But for me, it was a gut wrenching balance between advocating (ultimately pointlessly) for what I felt was ethically right as a football fan, versus reluctantly moving forward with the decision made by others, in the interest of keeping the League, and our club, financially viable long term. Ultimately, I felt I had to go with keeping our club, and the League, alive.
I am frustrated at having been thrusted into this position and I believe it could have been avoided. Consultation with all clubs, stakeholders and fans needs to happen for material choices of this kind. I’m already working with experts on how we can prevent something like this happening again. I don’t have the exact answer to that now, but I will get it, and I will fight hard to ensure changes are made.
I know some will read this explanation and think I made the wrong decision, and I respect that viewpoint. All I ask is that you voice that view in a constructive way, and work with us (not against us) to improve things moving forward.
Myself and Shaun will be hosting a fan forum early next year to consult with everyone further. Please attend, and please tell us how you feel and give us your suggestions. I’m the newest Chairman in the league, and I’ve got a lot to learn, most of which will come from you, the fans.
Yours faithfully,
Richard Peil