The goings-on at the Warriors this week after the departure of coach Matt Elliott plumbed the depths of poor public relations. But they would have come as no surprise to those who take a close interest in English soccer. Many clubs in that country which were acquired for reasons of personal image or ambition rather than a love of the game have suffered similar fates. If the Warriors' situation seems even more lamentable, it is because this shortcoming was compounded by an unworkable 50-50 ownership structure.
Neither Eric Watson nor Sir Owen Glenn has any obvious heritage in the game of rugby league. Both are multimillionaire businessmen accustomed to pulling the strings. Mr Watson seems to have believed he could regain operational control of the Warriors even after selling Sir Owen a 50 per cent stake for $6.15 million. That has proven untenable, predictably so when the ego of a successful entrepreneur is involved.
One of the characteristics overseas of such hobby ownerships is the placement of people in important positions through personal loyalties. They, like the owner, may not live and breathe the game and, predictably, make errors.
Coaches are anointed and discarded on emotional whims. Customarily, trying to explain away these mistakes involves a resort to convoluted jargon, scorned by fans.
The best clubs in any sport are run by people who share the fans' passion for their team. Equally, they understand what it takes to make that team successful. The Warriors' present ownership set-up and governance fall short of that ideal.
