Former Parramatta great Terry Leabeater has urged Denis Fitzgerald to show he has the club's best interests at heart to allow changes to take place at the troubled NRL club.

Fitzgerald's 30-year reign at the Eels is almost certain to come to an end after a bitter leagues' club election campaign on Sunday that saw the rebel 3P group win control over the current seven-man board.

The group have also been backed by Eels legends Brett Kenny, Ray Price and Eric Grothe Senior and Leabeater said change cannot come quick enough for a club who last tasted premiership success in 1986.

Two of the current directors, former players Geoff Gerard and Ron Hilditch, remain on the leagues board for now because the club's constitution states it must have at least three representatives from the football club.

However, the new board want to bring in a mandate to remove Hilditch and Gerard at the club's AGM on May 5.

"It is nothing against Geoff and Ron but the members have voted for a mandate that there should be a clear change .. and that is what they should get," said Leabeater.

Parramatta's NRL and Toyota Cup teams are currently ruled by the leagues club with the football club controlling the NSW Cup, SG Ball and Parramatta Junior League teams.

The 3P group want to return all the football teams under the one umbrella.

"It will definitely happen, the NRL club will become part of the football club, but it has to be voted on by the board and it has to be done in a way that doesn't hurt the club," Leabeater said.

"There are a lot of corporate people who want to come to the club but won't in its current situation.

"Our aim is to put the football club back to where it was before, with a winning formula .. this comes from having a winning atmosphere among the players, the coaches and the club."

Leabeater blamed Fitzgerald for saddling the leagues club with debt, reported to be in the region of $20m, and said he wanted the family atmosphere that was so prevalent at the club in the 1980s to return.

"I don't think there is a winning feeling around the place ... Feleti Mateo came out and said it doesn't affect the players ... but it has got to when there is doubts cast about the club's future.

"It is a family we are talking about ... and their working future and that is pretty much why we are running against Denis and the board as there is too much debt in the club.

"Change is good and I hope Denis comes to his senses and allows the change to be voted on at AGM as this will be the turning point for the club's future.

"If he doesn't then it is going to cost a lot of money as we will have to call and extraordinary general meeting to get this over the line."

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