TOPIC:

Larry Bird wrote: You have lost me Fat Tony, can you explain where I justified the situation. I pointed out how we helped save Swans and would appreciate Swans help to save EP. I'm judging from your comprehension skills your not a CSI.

Larry, can see where you are coming from here. How would you like Swans supporters to help save EP from the dictatorship it now lives under? What can we do?

Larry -- see DW wants to help you, but you have to help yourself too. The way to do this, is to call a special meeting of the club and over throw the EP board. The new board should repudiate the 'alignment model' after 2015, earlier if possible. It should, at the same time, launch a public campaign to save the club. EP will either live or die on the basis of the success or otherwise of the venture; but, whatever happens honour will be restored to the club.

In the last 35 years EP has:

won no premierships
lost football games hand over fist
lost its ground
lost money
lost its soul

IN SHORT, it has been the major victim of the expansion of the VFL in 1987; no other club has been hit so hard. Given that the Commission would never get rid of Peel for obvious reasons, the club which should go is EP; very definitely not Perth, which is financially stable.

Are you on the phone to Mr Howson yet? Larry, I think people like DW will help you but only as the EP Royals not as the baby team of an AFL club with all the advantages that having a powerful parent gives the baby.

Perth financially stable I think that's another thread. If you can all put pressure on your presidents and boards to negotiate in good faith in the future that's a start.

Talk is cheap I'm afraid ArkRoyal, and ideas are ten a penny but keep them coming. In not aware of another board being put together for a change of leadership. Can you organise that too, this is not the AFL the resources to do these things are not there but I remain hopeful. Your very critical can you give some positive feed back on EP. Your not Bert Rapony by chance?

Larry -- ideas are not 'ten a penny' at EP, because you have not tried any of those ideas I have mentioned. The fact is that a couple of years ago, the club lost a major backer -- which happens -- but no large scale fund raising effort was launched by the club. It is a bit rich to accuse other Presidents of negotiating in bad faith, old boy; I do believe that other clubs considered the alignment option Larry, but sadly it was EP which landed with it.

If you actually read my e-mail again, you will see that it does have a positive aspect, the recognition that EP has suffered more than other clubs since 1987, plus a strategy out of the mire.

I am afraid it is not up to likes of myself to save EP -- only EP people can do that with some help from the rest of the community. I don't think enough EP people want to save their club -- for a number of complex reasons -- sadly

Perth made money last season and they have money in the bank.

I think you will find EP revenue from sponsorship is and remains at the top of the tree that has not been an issue. Can you give me your insight on this I was unaware of a shortfall.

Larry Bird wrote: You have lost me Fat Tony, can you explain where I justified the situation. I pointed out how we helped save Swans and would appreciate Swans help to save EP. I'm judging from your comprehension skills your not a CSI.

If we'd had the chance to help you out before your team jumped in bed with the Eagles then we may well have done so but can you please explain how we can help you now,in your current situation. I think your getting quite enough help as it is.

Larry: EP certainly did give the impression that money was the reason for signing on to the 'alignment'; for example, the 'alignment' means that you do not have to pay for coaches.

This has been done to death ArkRoyal we could talk for a week about these things. A couple of points, the person tipping half a million in a year decided maybe that wasn't sustainable. Our finances are no worse than several other clubs. But we spend more than most in all areas to keep competitive. WAFL club finances except Subi of course are laughable, the type of accounting that gets you jail time in the real world.

Larry: the issues have been done to death all right; they are issues which are putting EP in danger; whatever happens over the next five years, whether you win the flag or the wooden spoon with your conscripted players, the club will be damned by some insiders, and, definitely damned outsiders. All you can do mate, as an individual, is argue against the policies of the board.

It is unrealistic to expect other club Presidents to save you by accepting an Eagles side in the WAFL competition itself. Many Presidents would be forced to resign if they did so.

Cheers