The numerous body blows North Sydney Bears have copped over the last six months in their quest to play rugby league in any capacity at all have been well documented in your newspaper.
We need to ask some fundamental questions of all who were involved in the decisions which put Norths where they are today. I have supported the Bears for many years in watching the team and as a sponsor and believe the club and its players have always conducted themselves in a professional, courteous fashion but are continually shafted by all and sundry for no apparent reason.
This club did what it was recommended to do by the league hierarchy in 98/99 and re-located to the Central Coast.
Now the Bears’ current situation smacks of blatant hypocrisy by far too many people. The NRL is now offering a financial incentive for a NRL current club to relocate to the Central Coast and North Sydney Council has said it will support a reduced rent for Souths to use Bear Park from 2006. Norths were not supported by the council to develop Bear Park so they put all their eggs in a new stadium in Gosford.
This club cannot be allowed to die as a top-tier participant.
It has too much history and community support for it to do so, but there needs to be the grass roots support that was evident when Souths were down and out.Peter McGrath, Roseville