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SYDNEY Roosters icon Luke Ricketson said the loss of long-term major sponsor Samsung is the wake-up call the Bondi Junction outfit needed.
The 301-game Rooster, who played at the club from 1991 to 2005, described the latest blow as a lesson that no club is bullet-proof no matter how powerful its board of directors might be.
"You probably don't realise as a player how important sponsorship is,'' Ricketson said.
"In these tough economic times you can understand why sponsors would be looking for more bang for their buck. It's a really good lesson that success on and off the field is so important to your sponsors."
"In saying that, it creates a good opportunity for someone to come aboard. The guys who are sitting around the board room have got the contacts to foster new sponsors."
"The club's probably in the worst position I've ever seen it, but on the flip side at least the only way is up."
"With a new coach and some new signings, I dare say the off-field problems will be a thing of the past and the club can start moving forward.''
Ricketson found an ally in recently retired back-rower Craig Fitzgibbon, who said the Roosters' on-field performances were also a major factor.
The club finished with the wooden spoon for the first time since 1966, when the Roosters failed to win a match all season.
Fitzgibbon predicted the Roosters were capable of performing a similar turnaround to that of the Bulldogs, who went from last place in 2008 to the grand final qualifier this year.
"It's a shame we couldn't provide the right advertising opportunities for Samsung and they've decided to sever ties,'' Fitzgibbon said. "But you'd like to think the club will lock a new major sponsor up soon."
"I'm sure next year is going to be an exciting new year and whoever jumps on board, I'm sure the Roosters will be in the headlines for all the right reasons."
"It's a fair statement that the major sponsor has decided to move on and everyone is responsible for that. But it's not just the off-field issues, our on-field performances weren't up to scratch either.''
The 301-game Rooster, who played at the club from 1991 to 2005, described the latest blow as a lesson that no club is bullet-proof no matter how powerful its board of directors might be.
"You probably don't realise as a player how important sponsorship is,'' Ricketson said.
"In these tough economic times you can understand why sponsors would be looking for more bang for their buck. It's a really good lesson that success on and off the field is so important to your sponsors."
"In saying that, it creates a good opportunity for someone to come aboard. The guys who are sitting around the board room have got the contacts to foster new sponsors."
"The club's probably in the worst position I've ever seen it, but on the flip side at least the only way is up."
"With a new coach and some new signings, I dare say the off-field problems will be a thing of the past and the club can start moving forward.''
Ricketson found an ally in recently retired back-rower Craig Fitzgibbon, who said the Roosters' on-field performances were also a major factor.
The club finished with the wooden spoon for the first time since 1966, when the Roosters failed to win a match all season.
Fitzgibbon predicted the Roosters were capable of performing a similar turnaround to that of the Bulldogs, who went from last place in 2008 to the grand final qualifier this year.
"It's a shame we couldn't provide the right advertising opportunities for Samsung and they've decided to sever ties,'' Fitzgibbon said. "But you'd like to think the club will lock a new major sponsor up soon."
"I'm sure next year is going to be an exciting new year and whoever jumps on board, I'm sure the Roosters will be in the headlines for all the right reasons."
"It's a fair statement that the major sponsor has decided to move on and everyone is responsible for that. But it's not just the off-field issues, our on-field performances weren't up to scratch either.''
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