Wests Tigers fans' announce new fan group following club turmoil

If it hadn’t been obvious to the Holman Barnes Group (HBG) already, the Wests Tigers fans have certainly made their displeasure known towards the group which owns 90% of the NRL side.

A rally, which had been organised by Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne, took place at Pratten Park Bowling Club on Saturday, with roughly 700 supporters in attendance, according to the mayor.

The fans were gathering to express their frustration with HBG over their actions across the last few weeks to sack independent board members, which have raised calls for the board to have an independent majority.

Some of those in attendance included Balmain Tigers legend Steve ‘Blocker’ Roach.

During the rally, Byrne announced that he, alongside others, would be launching a fan-led organisation to help express their concerns with ownership.

“Today I announce that we will form Wests Tigers Unite, a new grassroots organisation to give fans a real say at Wests Tigers,” he said.

“We will draw from the successful examples around the world of fans' associations at different sports that have been set up when this sort of situation occurs.”

Since December 1, HBG sacked four independent directors of the club in Annabelle Williams, Charlie Viola, Michelle McDowell and former NSW Premier and chairman of the club Barry O'Farrell.

But the NRL would get involved in the days after, which resulted in HBG inviting the four independent members back in a massive backflip.

Williams, McDowell and O’Farrell are reportedly set to return to the board following the NRL's demands, with Viola appearing unlikely to return at this stage.

In the midst of all this turmoil, club CEO Shane Richardson decided to resign from his position on December 8, with former Central Coast Mariners CEO Shaun Mielekamp being appointed to his position on an interim basis.

After all that, Dennis Burgess, the chairman of HBG, would also resign days later in relation to following over 200 accounts showing inappropriate content on his Instagram.

It has been confirmed by Byrne to News Corp that should the situation not improve by the time the Tigers hold their first practice game at Leichhardt against the Panthers on February 20, fans will once again rally.