New Cronulla captain Trent Barrett believes the good times are just around the corner for the beleaguered NRL club.

Barrett, who was appointed Sharks skipper following Paul Gallen's resignation from the role after he made a racist comment to St George Illawarra forward Mickey Paea, also feels last Saturday's win over Parramatta was just the boost the club needed.

"Believe it or not there are good things that happen here," Barrett said.

"We've had seven or eight debutants this year who some people might like to hear about in the future.

"Unless you'd been involved with this group over the last two months you wouldn't have known what that win meant to us ... it was relief ... and just a real happy time."

Earlier on Wednesday, Sharks chairman Barry Pierce resigned from the club's board along with director and long-time ally Don Anderson, just a week after he was re-elected unopposed.

Barrett said movements in the boardroom are something the players can't be affected by, but he was full of praise for Pierce.

"I've known Barry for a long time and he's a very nice man. He has always had the best interests of the football club at heart and I wish him all the best in what he does," he said.

"From a players' point of view it's something we don't have a lot to do with, or control over, but if we keep winning it will get people talking about the positive things at the Sharks."

The former St George and NSW five-eighth said he had no idea if he would remain captain for the long-term, but said he had no problem with comments from players that said they still saw Gallen as their leader.

"It wasn't a job I expected to do when I came here but I'll do my best," he said.

"I get on really well with (Gallen) ... it's nothing new and we're open with each other. His role in the side won't change either.

"Gal thought it might be in his best interests to have a break from it but I'd like to see him back in the job one day."

Pierce said in a statement he would stand down from his position on June 30, but the club insisted he and Anderson were not put under pressure to quit.

The long-serving chairman, who had been in the role for 10 years and associated with the Sharks for 21, had been under scrutiny since details of a 2002 group sex scandal involving several players were revealed.

The club was also engulfed in a number of off-field incidents that saw sponsors withdraw their support for the cash-strapped club.

"This decision has not been taken lightly and has been a very difficult one. I would like to thank everyone who has supported me over the past 20 years, especially my family," Pierce said in a statement.

"I would also like to thank the people I have worked with for making my time at the Sharks most enjoyable.

"I wish the new Board, (chief executive) Tony Zappia, (coach) Ricky Stuart, the Sharks football team and everyone associated with the club every success in the future."

The Sharks board will move to fill the position vacated by Anderson immediately and will endorse a replacement at its next meeting on June 16.

When Pierce's resignation becomes effective at the end of the month, a new chairman will be elected by the existing board.

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