Holmes a Court begins
work at Souths

Businessman Peter Holmes A Court will today begin the onerous task of reviving South Sydney after the NRL club's members yesterday gave the go ahead to his $3 million buyout with Russell Crowe.

Holmes A Court will officially take over as Souths chairman from Nick Pappas on May 1 but, after being given a mandate by the members, has vowed to waste no time getting down to work. Needing a 75 per cent majority for the proposal to go through, Holmes A Court and Crowe achieved 75.8 per cent of the vote yesterday, with a mere 32 votes deciding the outcome.

Holmes A Court and Crowe acquired 75 per cent of the club as part of the deal, which will also see them select four of the eight South Sydney board members.

Meanwhile, South Sydney patriarch George Piggins has vowed never to attend another Rabbitohs NRL match after yesterday's historic members' vote in favour of the Peter Holmes A Court-Russell Crowe privatisation proposal. Piggins says he is at the stage of his life where he would rather look after his other interests.

The former Rabbitohs chairman and coach says he will never be seen at a football game again. Piggins had been an outspoken opponent of the buyout bid. Crowe says he is saddened by Piggins' remarks, and will talk to him in an attempt to change his mind.