PANTHERS’ LEGEND RETURNS: PHIL GOULD ANNOUNCED AS NEW TEAM AMBASSADOR AND ADVISOR
Penrith Panthers have today announced the return of their most celebrated figure in history, Phil Gould, who takes on dual roles as team ambassador and advisor – a homecoming that has sent waves of excitement through the blue-and-black faithful.
The club made the official announcement at a packed press conference at BlueBet Stadium, with Gould joining current chairman Dave O’Neill to confirm the appointment. “This is a special day for Penrith,” O’Neill said. “Gus is the man who built so much of what this club is today, and having him back in an official capacity is a gift to our entire community.”
Gould, whose legendary status at Penrith spans decades, expressed his joy at returning to the organisation that defined his career. “Penrith is in my blood,” he said. “From the moment I walked through these doors as a young coach, I knew this was where I belonged. To come back now, to help guide the next chapter of this club’s success – it’s a privilege I never thought I’d get again.”
His coaching tenure in the late 1980s and early 1990s delivered the Panthers’ first-ever NRL Premiership in 1991, following a Grand Final appearance in 1990. But it was his commitment to nurturing young talent that set him apart, fostering a development culture that would become the club’s hallmark. Later, as General Manager, Gould’s strategic vision transformed Penrith into a perennial powerhouse: he established the renowned Panthers Academy, a talent pathway that has produced some of the NRL’s biggest stars and laid the groundwork for the club’s recent premiership triumphs.
In his new roles, Gould will act as a mentor to current head coach Ivan Cleary and his staff, provide strategic advice on long-term planning and player development, and represent the club at community, corporate and fan events. “My job is to support the incredible work already being done here,” Gould added. “This team is at the top of its game, and I want to help ensure that success continues for years to come.”
Fans have already taken to social media to celebrate the news, with many describing it as “the perfect fit” for a club that owes so much to its greatest architect. The appointment marks a full-circle moment for Gould, who leaves his successful media career behind in part to reconnect with the club that made him a legend.
