Former prime minister Scott Morrison has handed back his title as “No.1” ticketholder with his beloved Cronulla Sharks as he prepares for his new life away from politics.
Mr Morrison was given the honorary title while serving as treasurer in 2016 but in a statement revealed he’d told Sharks chief executive Dino Mezzatesta he would hand it back.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my association with the club in this role and am deeply grateful for the club giving me that honour over the past eight seasons,” Mr Morrison said.
“I will look forward to continuing to be a passionate supporter (of the Sharks) in the many years ahead … We are so proud of our history and so excited about our future.”
Mr Morrison said he was pleased his support for the club as local MP, treasurer, and prime minister had “been of assistance” but made the decision after leaving politics.
However many Sharks fans in attendance at Cronulla’s first home game of the season against the Bulldogs on Friday night were unaware of Morrison’s decision to hand back his title.
It therefore made for awkward listening for many fans at the game as it was announced over the loudspeaker at Cronulla’s PointsBet Stadium that Morrison was no longer the club’s No.1 ticketholder.
“They announced over the loud speaker at Shark Park that Scott Morrison was officially not the No. 1 Cronulla Sharks ticket holder anymore,” a Sharks fan wrote on X.
“While he was in da house. It was brutal.
“Everyone was waiting for the replacement and nothing. It was just a slander.”
Another Sharks fan wrote the news: “could not have been announced in a better way.”
The former Liberal leader announced earlier this year he would be taking on a new role as vice-chair of security firm American Global Strategies after leaving parliament.
Mr Morrison will also take up a position as strategic adviser to asset management firm DYNE, a role he will perform alongside former US secretary of state Mike Pompeo.
The southern Sydney native has been a longtime supporter of the Sharks and even made reference to their theme song in his farewell speech to parliament, stating: “And, as always – up, up Cronulla.”
In 2010, Mr Morrison famously declared “the Sharks have (his) loyalty”. But, by 2023, the club was reportedly mulling pulling his “No.1” status over the robodebt scandal.
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