Arko attempted Manly 'peace pact' - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Arko attempted Manly 'peace pact'

By Laine Clark 24/06/2009 04:43:44 PM Comments (0)

As the dust settles on the Sea Eagles' very public feud, Manly "Godfather" Ken Arthurson has revealed he attempted to step in and end the bitter in-fighting for the NRL club's sake.

Manly co-owner Max Delmege is believed to have stood down from the club's board on Wednesday, replaced by former Sea Eagles winger Jack Elsegood.

Fellow co-owner Rick Penn stood down on Monday.

The moves are expected to ease boardroom tensions between the Delmege and Penn factions.

The Gold Coast-based Arthurson applauded the boardroom moves at Manly, saying he had been "disturbed" by the much-publicised internal rumblings at the Sea Eagles.

The legendary former Manly leader became so distressed that he offered to broker a "peace agreement" between the Penn and Delmege groups.

"I must say I have been extremely disturbed by it," he told AAP.

"I have been a Manly person through and through for the last 60 years so I have really had some concerns about it (in-fighting).

"The thing is both the Delmege and Penn groups are decent people and genuinely have Manly's best interests at heart.

"It has always been a source of wonderment why the two parties never got on.

"I suppose it is a question of personalities."

The internal politics had resulted in chief executive Grant Mayer resigning last week.

Arthurson became so frustrated that he rang both the Penn and Delmege groups and delivered a clear message.

"I said `guys you have to get in together and sort this out'," he said.

"But I think they are making a genuine effort to sort this out.

"If they can do that it will reflect on the performance of the team.

"It's one thing to organise a peace agreement but in the end I realised it has got to happen between themselves.

"Nobody else can do it.

"But it appears they have made a step in the right direction."

The sons of Penn and Delmege will remain on the board - Scott Penn as chairman and Brett Delmege as a board member.

Arthurson hoped the Manly faithful never forgot financial saviour Max Delmege's contribution, despite the fallout over the public spat.

"People have got to understand if it wasn't for Max Delmege the place wouldn't be there as it is now," he said.

"He came in when we really needed him and I hope Manly people never forget that.

"With Max standing down and Mayer gone it may have the effect of calming things down."

Arthurson said the feud could not end soon enough, with Manly attempting to defend their NRL title.

"It has been terribly upsetting and disappointing. I just hope it has settled down," he said.

"Because it certainly does have an effect on the players.

"If the front office isn't going well it generally reflects throughout the whole club and to some extent that has happened."

Manly (7-7 record) have fought back from a disastrous season start in which they lost their first four games to break into the top eight for the first time following last round's win over Canberra.

"I have always had enormous faith in (Manly coach) Des Hasler, he was always been one of my favourite players and people," Arthurson said.

"They haven't had the best of luck either. I mean that game against the Titans (when they lost 18-17 after a controversial penalty) they were robbed blind.

"If they can get up there in the top bracket at the end of the season they are going to be hard to beat again."

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