Peter Knatchbull-Hugessen (3 Viewers)

[RoboCCFC90]

Dear Peter,

Somewhat better known on this forum as PWKH, I have not seen you post for a while, maybe this is due to the current situation surronding the Ricoh Arena, but as a board member of ACL and someone at the heart of this situation I ask you one thing:

Do what is right and sell a 50% stake in the Ricoh Arena too Otium Entertainment Ltd (SISU). This will not be a popular post, but the stand-off between ACL/CCC and SISU has gone on for long enough. I am not a doubter that yourself, other members of ACL and senior members of the Council, have the best interets of the people of Coventry at heart, however as I can see it there is a heavy dark cloud lingering over the City and something needs to happen to lift the spirits again.

This dark cloud is a aspect of the City that we all live for, it brings us joy, it brings us sorrow, we make friends, it keeps local business alive, people of the City in employment and most importantly different generations of the public gather all for one purpose to see the Sky Blues playing Football at the Ricoh Arena and before this at Highfield Road.

The past is complex, misleading and painful, however it only takes one person to make sure that this sorry story ends and once again the people of Coventry can support a Football Club which we all hold so dear.

People have talked about a Phoenix Club, an AFC Coventry if you will, but no one wants this without all the avenues of keeping CCFC in existence being explored.

The time for finger pointing is through can we please now have some resolution for us all.

 

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[Sub]

no chance, SISU should never own the stadium would rather start a new team at the bottom and work its way up !! sorry robo i think your wrong SISU have proved they are not fit owners

 

[Sky Blues]

A seller, by definition, requires a buyer. Have Sisu actually ever put in a monetary offer for the Higgs share?

 

[RoboCCFC90]

no chance, SISU should never own the stadium would rather start a new team at the bottom and work its way up !! sorry robo i think your wrong SISU have proved they are not fit owners

Then that's the attitude that will condemn Coventry City into the list of Clubs that cripple, I don't want that, I don't want AFC Coventry/1883 Coventry, I want Coventry City back in Coventry, whatever it takes.

 

[GaryPendrysEyes]

Sisu are a failed and unethical business, they should never be trusted with a key coventry asset.
If fans hold firm in boycotting Sisu and damaging their reputation they will be gone soon enough.
You don't appease bullies you man up and fight them.

 

[lewys33]

Pointless thread. They want 100% "at a price of their choice" not 50%. Criminals

 

[Nick]

It also isn't just up to the higgs is it?

 

[Danceswithhorses]

If SISU had been half way reasonable, i'd probably agree Robo, but seeing as they've acted so appallingly, i find myself feeling MORE stubborn and MORE intransigent, knowing that their intention is to be so unreasonable, that we'll eventually give in.

 

[Sub]

Then that's the attitude that will condemn Coventry City into the list of Clubs that cripple, I don't want that, I don't want AFC Coventry/1883 Coventry, I want Coventry City back in Coventry, whatever it takes.

i understand what your saying robo but giving them the ricoh is not the answer i want CCFC back but thats not the way to do it, we will be worse off in the long run imho i do not trust these fuckers one bit they will saddle us with more and more debt while reaping the profit from something they should never own.

 

[RoboCCFC90]

It also isn't just up to the higgs is it?

No it's not but they could get the ball rolling so to speak, it has to be said that something has to be done, this sitaution between the two parties has to end.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

The op is right that it needs something to break the stalemate. I fear that even if acl agreed to wrap the bloody arena up sisu would still screw things up

 

[RoboCCFC90]

If SISU had been half way reasonable, i'd probably agree Robo, but seeing as they've acted so appallingly, i find myself feeling MORE stubborn and MORE intransigent, knowing that their intention is to be so unreasonable, that we'll eventually give in.

I am past the point of finger pointing and blaming people, is all the blame and underlying hatred good for the City of Coventry, businesses, the people, the heritage and the image? No it's not. SISU are being unreasonable but there not alone in the parties of people who are responsible for our position.

 

[andyboy81]

i understand what your saying robo but giving them the ricoh is not the answer i want CCFC back but thats not the way to do it, we will be worse off in the long run imho i do not trust these fuckers one bit they will saddle us with more and more debt while reaping the profit from something they should never own.

Sorry to sound dumb but doesn't there need to be some profits before they can reap from them??

 

[RoboCCFC90]

i understand what your saying robo but giving them the ricoh is not the answer i want CCFC back but thats not the way to do it, we will be worse off in the long run imho i do not trust these fuckers one bit they will saddle us with more and more debt while reaping the profit from something they should never own.

Then unfortunately what else is there left in the way of answers, protests won't work, boycotts won't work, financial starvation won't work, administration processes won't work, SISU won't sell either, something needs to be done to settle this and I don't see past then a settlement for allowing SISU to takeover the Ricoh.

 

[lewys33]

No it's not but they could get the ball rolling so to speak, it has to be said that something has to be done, this sitaution between the two parties has to end.

With Sisu/Otium/Arvo/Your nan's great uncle's dog selling the club to someone who is prepared to put the club and fans interests first maybe?

 

[oldskyblue58]

Understand what you are saying Robbo - needs someone to make a move to break the deadlock. You could just as easily rename the letter and send to CCC or perhaps more importantly to rewrite and send to Seppala asking her sell up entirely. Dont see any of it happening any time soon

1) I dont think the Trustees (not PWKH's decision) have any desire to sell anything to SISU
2) I would guess the CCC would veto any sale by the Charity (and vice versa)
3) SISU are not interested in 50% of ACL in any case they want the whole site. In fact to get a return on their investors money nothing less will do
4) SISU wont sell up because CCFC is the only route they have in to the Ricoh

not about the rent, not about the ownership of 50% of ACL ............ this is now simply about ownership of the stadium complex and development land...... got to ask do CCFC need that ownership to survive?

 

[Sub]

Then unfortunately what else is there left in the way of answers, protests won't work, boycotts won't work, financial starvation won't work, administration processes won't work, SISU won't sell either, something needs to be done to settle this and I don't see past then a settlement for allowing SISU to takeover the Ricoh.

do you not think SISU should sell then ? why should ACL/council give in and give them the Ricoh ? which is worth the most money ? a football team or a stadium ? i know which one i would want and which one will produce the most profit long term

 

[covcity4life]

yeh give the ground back to ccfc you greedy scummers.

 

[Noggin]

Then unfortunately what else is there left in the way of answers, protests won't work, boycotts won't work, financial starvation won't work, administration processes won't work, SISU won't sell either, something needs to be done to settle this and I don't see past then a settlement for allowing SISU to takeover the Ricoh.

boycotts and financial starvation is the only thing that can work, it's that or it's over for ccfc as it stands. The fact that sisu have tens of millions availible to them is a complete irrelevance. They won't want to throw the money away and staying for years under a boycott at northampton is doing that.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

You have to ask at what stage is direct action appropriate if at all?

It is only a football club after all.

Nicey nicey will not change things and our fellow fans are not our enemies, nor are our council, the charity or CCfc. Our enemies in this are our current owners.

 

[RoboCCFC90]

With Sisu/Otium/Arvo/Your nan's great uncle's dog selling the club to someone who is prepared to put the club and fans interests first maybe?

It's not just about a Football Club though anymore, this situation goes beyond that, like I said it's a dark cloud over the whole City.

 

[Godiva]

boycotts and financial starvation is the only thing that can work, it's that or it's over for ccfc as it stands. The fact that sisu have tens of millions availible to them is a complete irrelevance. They won't want to throw the money away and staying for years under a boycott at northampton is doing that.

And if the 'financial stavation' really worked within a few weeks or months and sisu brought the club back to the Ricoh, would the NOPM campaign then cease? Or would it go back to its original aim of getting sisu out?

 

[LastGarrison]

Fuck that.

 

[Senior Vick from Alicante]

They had talks with the Higgs trust and are now being taken to court for 29000 in legal fees which they had agreed to pay if they walked away. The Higgs have to sell at a set price, I believe but stand to be corrected that it is a matter of law. Sisu would not pay the price so walked away again as they tried to secure a deal on the cheap. If SISU wanted the arena they should have put up, now their is no chance.

 

[RoboCCFC90]

Understand what you are saying Robbo - needs someone to make a move to break the deadlock. You could just as easily rename the letter and send to CCC or perhaps more importantly to rewrite and send to Seppala asking her sell up entirely. Dont see any of it happening any time soon

1) I dont think the Trustees (not PWKH's decision) have any desire to sell anything to SISU
2) I would guess the CCC would veto any sale by the Charity (and vice versa)
3) SISU are not interested in 50% of ACL in any case they want the whole site. In fact to get a return on their investors money nothing less will do
4) SISU wont sell up because CCFC is the only route they have in to the Ricoh

not about the rent, not about the ownership of 50% of ACL ............ this is now simply about ownership of the stadium complex and development land...... got to ask do CCFC need that ownership to survive?

I already understand OSB. I am already copying the words of this thread and intend to send them through to CCC and SISU Headquaters no matter how many times it takes.

SISU need to be reasonable and CCC/ACL need to put their animosity aside, especially CCC there incompetence in this situation has left the City that benefits from CCFC, businesses, jobs and etc, in dire need.

Yes they do every Football Club needs all it's revenues it can to survive that's the reason we moved from Highfield Road, because we weren't benefitting enough and needed more.

 

[wince]

boycotts and financial starvation is the only thing that can work, it's that or it's over for ccfc as it stands. The fact that sisu have tens of millions availible to them is a complete irrelevance. They won't want to throw the money away and staying for years under a boycott at northampton is doing that.

the only way, they have something we want , i.e ccfc we have something they want i.e money , we can survive without ccfc , they can not survive with out money, be strong

 

[RoboCCFC90]

boycotts and financial starvation is the only thing that can work, it's that or it's over for ccfc as it stands. The fact that sisu have tens of millions availible to them is a complete irrelevance. They won't want to throw the money away and staying for years under a boycott at northampton is doing that.

But it's not working, where is the quick fire sale of all our better players that was expected? Nowhere.

This won't work what we need is for CCC/ACL & SISU to be reasonable, listen to the public and accept that the current warring isn't getting anyone in any aspect anywhere.

 

[The Penguin]

And if the 'financial stavation' really worked within a few weeks or months and sisu brought the club back to the Ricoh, would the NOPM campaign then cease? Or would it go back to its original aim of getting sisu out?

You'd probably see a split. Some would resume their financial support of the club. Others wouldn't.

Does it really matter? We should all be entitled to make our choices without abuse or judgment.

 

[DazzleTommyDazzle]

And if the 'financial stavation' really worked within a few weeks or months and sisu brought the club back to the Ricoh, would the NOPM campaign then cease? Or would it go back to its original aim of getting sisu out?

That would vary from person to person. I'd guess that most people would go back to watching City, probably joining in with any "We want SISU out" chants.

However, what seems clear is that SISU's "customer relations" will be gradually moving people from the former camp to the latter

 

[Seyeclops666]

Dear Peter,

Somewhat better known on this forum as PWKH, I have not seen you post for a while, maybe this is due to the current situation surronding the Ricoh Arena, but as a board member of ACL and someone at the heart of this situation I ask you one thing:

Do what is right and sell a 50% stake in the Ricoh Arena too Otium Entertainment Ltd (SISU). This will not be a popular post, but the stand-off between ACL/CCC and SISU has gone on for long enough. I am not a doubter that yourself, other members of ACL and senior members of the Council, have the best interets of the people of Coventry at heart, however as I can see it there is a heavy dark cloud lingering over the City and something needs to happen to lift the spirits again.

This dark cloud is a aspect of the City that we all live for, it brings us joy, it brings us sorrow, we make friends, it keeps local business alive, people of the City in employment and most importantly different generations of the public gather all for one purpose to see the Sky Blues playing Football at the Ricoh Arena and before this at Highfield Road.

The past is complex, misleading and painful, however it only takes one person to make sure that this sorry story ends and once again the people of Coventry can support a Football Club which we all hold so dear.

People have talked about a Phoenix Club, an AFC Coventry if you will, but no one wants this without all the avenues of keeping CCFC in existence being explored.

The time for finger pointing is through can we please now have some resolution for us all.

PWKH - please ignore this idiot - he does nothing but put forward the SISU/Otium viewpoint and to pretend he is in anyway balanced when it comes to the Council/ACL/Higgs Charity is laughable. The vast majority of Sky Blues fans do not want to see these hedge fund scum have any hold over the Ricoh for the long term sake of CCFC and the City of Coventry.

 

[DazzleTommyDazzle]

But it's not working, where is the quick fire sale of all our better players that was expected? Nowhere.

This won't work what we need is for CCC/ACL & SISU to be reasonable, listen to the public and accept that the current warring isn't getting anyone in any aspect anywhere.

It's not working - after one home game?

 

[Godiva]

You'd probably see a split. Some would resume their financial support of the club. Others wouldn't.

Does it really matter? We should all be entitled to make our choices without abuse or judgment.

Yes it matters and yes we are all entitled to our own choices.

But if the financial starvation will continue beyond the club coming home to the Ricoh, why would the owners even consider that scenario?

 

[RoboCCFC90]

PWKH - please ignore this idiot - he does nothing but put forward the SISU/Otium viewpoint and to pretend he is in anyway balanced when it comes to the Council/ACL/Higgs Charity is laughable. The vast majority of Sky Blues fans do not want to see these hedge fund scum have any hold over the Ricoh for the long term sake of CCFC and the City of Coventry.

Yeah I maybe an idiot, an idiot who cares about his Football Club, who has friends who used to benefit from jobs on matchdays while CCFC played at the Arena, that are now not so fortunate, someone who can see that the whole City feels like it has had a chunked ripped out of it's image and will be replaced by a copy to replicate something that stood in my family for generations before me.

Class me an idiot yes, enjoy AFC Coventry.

 

[Sub]

But it's not working, where is the quick fire sale of all our better players that was expected? Nowhere.

This won't work what we need is for CCC/ACL & SISU to be reasonable, listen to the public and accept that the current warring isn't getting anyone in any aspect anywhere.

how is it not working BOGOF on offer already less than a 1000 home fans there how many free tickets were given away ? they can not afford to be away from the coventry a season of this will cripple them, will it hurt the team? yes do i want that not atall but its a means to an end to get SISU back in coventry or get SISU out of CCFC it is their choice now,

stay where they are and get no money come back to coventry get 10000 fans and get money its as simple as that it is down to them its a game of poker and the fans hold all the cards this time we can break SISU and or ACL by not going a business with no customers either stop or change their plans to get the customers back.

 

[The Penguin]

But it's not working, where is the quick fire sale of all our better players that was expected? Nowhere.

This won't work what we need is for CCC/ACL & SISU to be reasonable, listen to the public and accept that the current warring isn't getting anyone in any aspect anywhere.

To say it's 'not working' when the campaign has just started is unfair, in my view. This is something that will take time. Maybe it'll work, maybe it won't. Maybe that fuckstain Clarke is correct when he says it won't matter because SISU are flush with cash. It's better than just rolling over and playing dead though.

Your last point is one that everyone should agree with. We do need all parties to be reasonable. No chance of that though on current evidence. All anybody wants to do is hide behind lawyers and spin.