There are fears Parramatta politics could turn Bill Moss away from the club once and for all after the brakes were applied to his ambitious "Premiership Club" project.
Moss, a former Macquarie Bank executive and lifelong Eels fan, had hoped to launch the not-for-profit organisation at the end of this month as part of his vision to bring the big end of town to the blue and golds.
The venture was set up to create business networking opportunities for the region as part of a quest to break a premiership drought spanning nearly three decades.
While several Eels officials are behind the project and readily endorse it, others are paying it lip service or even working against it due to fears it could threaten their own power base.
Tensions are already heightened in the corridors of power about the looming Parramatta Leagues Club elections, as evidenced by the feud between the famous Grothe footballing family and the current regime.
It is one of many political rifts at the club, such as the decision to abandon the Parramatta District Rugby League Club elections after the entity was placed into voluntary administration.
Those favouring the status quo are also concerned about the formation of rebel tickets for the upcoming polls, which are likely to be held in April.
Directors sitting on the football and leagues club boards are ineligible to sit on The Premiership Club board. Sources have confirmed that rather than welcoming the independence of the new entity, some directors are questioning if their influence would be weakened should it become a success.
Ironically, while internal politics threaten to derail the venture, rival clubs are circling Moss in the hope he may consider setting up with them instead.
It isn't the first time Moss has fallen victim to political football at the blue and golds. The multimillionaire businessmen was put forward as an "independent" eighth director at a fiery annual general meeting of the Parramatta Leagues Club last year in the hope he could help heal the factionalism tearing the front office apart.
Despite his credentials and standing in the business community - Moss has been touted as a potential director of the Australian Rugby League Commission - the majority of members voted against that motion, along with every other motion proposed by the board.
One of the advantages of The Premiership Club, which has a foundation as its cornerstone, would be the opportunity for players to rub shoulders with the business elite, who would pay up to $40,000 for the privileges of membership.
Their presence would seemingly help the Eels in their negotiations to retain and recruit players due to the off-field opportunities on offer.
But there is now a chance it may not get off the ground, or worse still for those in favour of it, be implemented at a cross-town rival.
Moss, who suffers from muscular dystrophy, retired from Macquarie Bank with a payout of $40 million. But he has never forgotten his roots - he grew up in a Guildford West fibro - and has made no secret of his desire to help the Eels.
"I'll do everything in my power to ensure it goes ahead," Moss said.
"But if it is to go ahead, it's crucial to have the 100 per cent support of all parts of the club."
