On Thursday, the Eels Interim CEO Matt Phelan recorded a message to the Blue and Gold Army based on the feedback he's been receiving from Members and fans.
Below is a short summary of his message.
On Monday night I had the privilege of speaking to some of our Members about some of the perceived issues facing the Eels at present.
The number one issue on everyone's lips is around our head coach, Ricky Stuart.
Ricky Stuart has given no indication to me that he will not be coaching at this great club for 2014 and 2015.
He is completely focussed on this weekend's fixture against the Newcastle Knights and all other conversations have been around our pre-season and pre-planning for 2014.
Two: the perceived disharmony and dysfunction of our existing board.
I attend board meetings monthly and I speak to our board members on a day-to-day basis, specifically our Chairman, Steve Sharp.
I have seen no indication that they are not working towards the success of Parramatta in 2014 and beyond.
Every conversation I have with them, whether it be in a board meeting or individually, is focussed on the success of this great club and returning it to the number one football club in the NRL.
An example of this and what they have achieved in a short time, is a return to Parramatta Stadium, and working tirelessly and being a lead player in securing the funds for the upgrade and redevelopment of Parramatta Stadium.
Thirdly: the negative press that's out there in the marketplace at the moment.
What needs to be understood is those peddling that message have no daily, direct involvement with this great club. Everyone who is working at the Parramatta Eels is 100 percent committed to returning your club to its rightful place as the number 1 club in the NRL.
But I don't want to leave you taking about the negatives. I want to talk about the positives that have occurred throughout 2013 and looking forward to 2014.
We've increased our Membership, on the back of our second wooden spoon, by 45 percent to over 17,000 valued Members.
We've increased our junior base by over 11 percent to 7,000 registered members.
We've increased our commercial revenues by in excess of 77 percent and we are deep in discussions with a number of corporate partners for 2014 and beyond.
We've retained players of the calibre of Jarryd Hayne, Jacob Loko and Mitch Allgood, and we welcome to this club the likes of Corey Norman, Will Hopoate, Nathan Peats, Lee Mossop, Brenden Santi and Justin Hunt.
We've signed a major commercial deal and partnership with the Northern Territory government for the next four years, which will see us bring a premiership game to Darwin and a trial game to Alice Springs, and we'll have a 365 day a year presence in the Northern Territory.
Blue and Gold Army, thanks for your time.
Thanks for your support. Let's see the boys get a win over the Knights on the weekend.
Go the Eels!
