Club statement needed (1 Viewer)

[Calista]

As I said in another post, I’m assuming that CCFC will very soon put out a good explanation for the APPARENT discrepancy between their public statements about stadium discussions, and the FOI replies which have been received from various Councils.

No doubt what goes on behind the scenes is complicated, and I am sure the FOI process is open to various interpretations. Maybe the wrong questions and/or the wrong Councils have been asked, or perhaps I have misunderstood some of the Club’s past statements? So I for one am quite prepared to believe that there is a logical explanation. But surely, to avoid damage to its reputation, the Club cannot maintain a silence on this? As a lifelong supporter, I just want to be certain that I can rely on what I am told.

 

---

[ccfcway]

If it helps, I can tell you what it would say...

"All details of the stadium location negotiations are commercially sensitive and we are not about to risk losing our preferred site. We are committed to building a news stadium in the Coventry area which wil bring in much needed revenues into the club, We are working in conjunction with the Football League in order to satisfy their criteria. When we are in a position to announce the site, we will do so, however we are working hard behind the scenes, applying for local searches, drawing up the stadium plans so setting up a fans consultation group so we can hit the ground running when the location in the Coventry area is confirmed."

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

If it helps, I can tell you what it would say...

"All details of the stadium location negotiations are commercially sensitive and we are not about to risk losing our preferred site. We are committed to building a news stadium in the Coventry area which wil bring in much needed revenues into the club, We are working in conjunction with the Football League in order to satisfy their criteria. When we are in a position to announce the site, we will do so, however we are working hard behind the scenes, applying for local searches, drawing up the stadium plans so setting up a fans consultation group so we can hit the ground running when the location in the Coventry area is confirmed."

Be so great if that was it word for word!!

 

[SkyblueBazza]

...I just want to be certain that I can rely on what I am told.

After all that has already been said & done from any party involved in our plight - the only certain thing is that you cannot rely upon ANYTHING that is said by any of them!

 

[valiant15]

As I said in another post, I’m assuming that CCFC will very soon put out a good explanation for the APPARENT discrepancy between their public statements about stadium discussions, and the FOI replies which have been received from various Councils.

No doubt what goes on behind the scenes is complicated, and I am sure the FOI process is open to various interpretations. Maybe the wrong questions and/or the wrong Councils have been asked, or perhaps I have misunderstood some of the Club’s past statements? So I for one am quite prepared to believe that there is a logical explanation. But surely, to avoid damage to its reputation, the Club cannot maintain a silence on this? As a lifelong supporter, I just want to be certain that I can rely on what I am told.

Hasn't the last 6 years under these bullshiters taught you anything?

 

[Calista]

If it helps, I can tell you what it would say...

"All details of the stadium location negotiations are commercially sensitive and we are not about to risk losing our preferred site. We are committed to building a news stadium in the Coventry area which wil bring in much needed revenues into the club, We are working in conjunction with the Football League in order to satisfy their criteria. When we are in a position to announce the site, we will do so, however we are working hard behind the scenes, applying for local searches, drawing up the stadium plans so setting up a fans consultation group so we can hit the ground running when the location in the Coventry area is confirmed."

I can well imagine that kind of statement – nice

But unfortunately it would fail to dispel accusations being made (not by me) that the Club has deliberately misled the supporters. Are there two local authorities actively engaged with the Club about stadium plans, or are we (as it would APPEAR) nowhere near that stage yet? Have I misunderstood something? Since this directly affects my family’s main pastime (perhaps for several years to come), I don’t think it’s unreasonable to ask.

 

[Calista]

Hasn't the last 6 years under these bullshiters taught you anything?

Yes

 

[valiant15]

I was talking to the old man last night about locations etc and we both agreed that the location could potentially be not to far from where they are now. Sisu are finished up here and they know it.

Laugh if you like but do not rule out another franchise club.

 

[lamtara2006]

...... As a lifelong supporter, I just want to be certain that I can rely on what I am told.

Don't hold your breathe on that ... these people couldn't lie straight in bed!

 

[skybluetony176]

I don't think they will say anything, they don't need to. All the speculation has put them in a position where they can sit back and watch the circus unfold all by itself.

 

[Astute]

They won't say anything until they can think of a way of blaming the council.

 

[Spionkop]

Norman, agree entirely. But when did Sisu ever do what's right?
Don't hold your breath.

 

[RPHunt]

I was talking to the old man last night about locations etc and we both agreed that the location could potentially be not to far from where they are now. Sisu are finished up here and they know it.

Laugh if you like but do not rule out another franchise club.

I agree with this valiant and have said before that I am concerned about that empty ground at Nene Park.

The current owner of Nene Park has been in no rush to sell up to now, probably because Max Griggs had the right to a large percentage of any profits made on any resale of the ground. Those rights expire this year, so the current owner would be in line for a tidy profit were he to sell.

Alternatively, he might be a willing buyer of CCFC if SISU could relocate them to Nene Park. There is planning permission for an hotel and other development on the site, but there is a covenant in place to protect the stadium from redevelopment, so bringing in a league football team would make the whole site more desirable.

As another alternative, there may be a third party that has an agreement in place to buy both the stadium and CCFC if they are allowed to relocate there.

Is it SISU's intention, when they have finished with the current farce, to approach the Football League and say "We have done our best, but we cannot find a suitable site near Coventry. However there is an existing stadium only a few miles from where we currently play"?

I honestly don't know, but when I hear the statements coming from the club about facilities at the new ground, I keep thinking "Nene Park". Then when different colour seats are suggested at a "consultation" forum, I think "Nene Park".

Delivering the club, unencumbered with old fashioned notions of loyalty to a location or an existing fan base, to a buyer with an empty stadium would be a triumph for SISU and is much more in line with the way that such firms conduct business.

 

[Spionkop]

RP. think many City fans believe this scenario is one of a few that Sisu are capable of.

 

[Grendel]

I agree with this valiant and have said before that I am concerned about that empty ground at Nene Park.

The current owner of Nene Park has been in no rush to sell up to now, probably because Max Griggs had the right to a large percentage of any profits made on any resale of the ground. Those rights expire this year, so the current owner would be in line for a tidy profit were he to sell.

Alternatively, he might be a willing buyer of CCFC if SISU could relocate them to Nene Park. There is planning permission for an hotel and other development on the site, but there is a covenant in place to protect the stadium from redevelopment, so bringing in a league football team would make the whole site more desirable.

As another alternative, there may be a third party that has an agreement in place to buy both the stadium and CCFC if they are allowed to relocate there.

Is it SISU's intention, when they have finished with the current farce, to approach the Football League and say "We have done our best, but we cannot find a suitable site near Coventry. However there is an existing stadium only a few miles from where we currently play"?

I honestly don't know, but when I hear the statements coming from the club about facilities at the new ground, I keep thinking "Nene Park". Then when different colour seats are suggested at a "consultation" forum, I think "Nene Park".

Delivering the club, unencumbered with old fashioned notions of loyalty to a location or an existing fan base, to a buyer with an empty stadium would be a triumph for SISU and is much more in line with the way that such firms conduct business.

Nene park holds 6,000 - it will have no potential to improve the asset value of the club whatsoever so its a no go.

 

[Grendel]

RP. think many City fans believe this scenario is one of a few that Sisu are capable of.

Define many. 5?

 

[RegTheDonk]

Would the football league allow "CCFC" to keep their golden share if they permanently moved to Nene Park? Surely they would have to act this time.

 

[Spionkop]

Reg, would surely hope so. Who knows, come the end of the season and no visible sign of a new ground, the League may finally act.

 

[Bill Glazier]

It is already time for the league to start talking about the golden share.

 

[skybluetony176]

Nene park holds 6,000 - it will have no potential to improve the asset value of the club whatsoever so its a no go.

The whole scenario is no more than a theory but you are assuming that they want to improve the asset value of the club. I think most fans have made their minds up that the club to sisu is little more than a vehicle to gain assets whether that be the ricoh or nene park. The principal is the same. How possible the nene park scenario could be is dependent on the FL and whether they would sanction another franchise team.

Just to add. If this ever did happen I would argue that 6000 is more than enough.

 

[Astute]

It seems to me that the FL are scared of SISUE. They don't want to get dragged down by legal action.

They said the main reason for allowing the move to Northampton was that we had nowhere to play and the club could easily have folded. ACL gave the rent free offer through the FL. They can't pretend that they don't know about the offer. So they say they can't force them to return. If they had balls they would have told SISUE to return to Coventry after the offer.

The worse that will happen if we don't return within 5 years is they will have to pay 1m to the FL. But would they pay? Would the FL try to force them to pay? If they did would it end up in litigation?

 

[RPHunt]

The Football League have already stated that they cannot force the club to go back to the Ricoh. If the club use the "evidence" of the design for the stadium, the involvement of CBRE and the consultation forums to show their sincerity in wishing to build a new ground near Coventry but there is no suitable site, where does that leave the Football League? They have already demonstrated that their own rules can be discarded at their discretion which does open the door to a legal challenge if they decide to stand by them for once.

A capacity of 6,000 would be enough for starters at Nene Park and, I believe, it was designed to allow for easy expansion. This expansion could presumably be part of the development that has been approved but has been left on hold by the owners.

 

[valiant15]

Wouldn't sisu have to forfeit the name 'Coventry City' if they forced the football league to allow them to move to nene park permanently?

 

[RPHunt]

Wouldn't sisu have to forfeit the name 'Coventry City' if they forced the football league to allow them to move to nene park permanently?

Probably, but do you really think they give a shit about the name?

 

[valiant15]

Probably, but do you really think they give a shit about the name?

They only care about themselves mate.

 

[Cheshire Sky Blue]

Its never going to happen. But on a different tack, have look at this on Wiki. Nene Park cost 30 million to build and hold 6.4 K fans. And the fuck wits at SISU think they will build a 12k Stadium. Makes the RICOH look like good value at 100 million.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nene_Park

 

[ecky]

Wouldn't sisu have to forfeit the name 'Coventry City' if they forced the football league to allow them to move to nene park permanently?

What would our Sandra say?

 

[Jack Griffin]

Its never going to happen. But on a different tack, have look at this on Wiki. Nene Park cost 30 million to build and hold 6.4 K fans. And the fuck wits at SISU think they will build a 12k Stadium. Makes the RICOH look like good value at 100 million.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nene_Park

Northampton CC making £12M loan to Cobblers.. for improvement of 2 stands a conference centre, 100-room hotel, a gym and offices, note this process took 8 years after first mooted, work has still not started has it?
http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/n...ecognisable-after-12m-redevelopment-1-5245583

 

[Calista]

I don't think they will say anything, they don't need to. All the speculation has put them in a position where they can sit back and watch the circus unfold all by itself.

Don’t they? I reckon that maintaining silence would be very dangerous. The Club has made a number of quite specific public statements about stadium discussions which have taken place with Local Authorities, but the formal FOI responses don’t appear to tally. I see various possibilities:-

1) Some of the Councils’ FOI responses are incorrect (seems unlikely given that it’s a formal process)
2) Some of the Club’s statements have been incorrect (surely not, given how definite they were?)
3) There is further information yet to be disclosed (maybe for legal or commercial reasons) which reconciles the apparent contradictions
4) I’ve missed something

Assuming it’s (3), I hope the Club will announce that it completely stands by all its previous statements, and in due course will be able to justify them. No need to reveal sites or any other commercial information – simply GUARANTEE to the supporters (and of course the football authorities) that the little information provided so far has been honest and trustworthy.

If it’s (4), can somebody PLEASE put me out of my misery?

 

[Mary_Mungo_Midge]

Northampton CC making £12M loan to Cobblers.. for improvement of 2 stands a conference centre, 100-room hotel, a gym and offices, note this process took 8 years after first mooted, work has still not started has it?
http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/n...ecognisable-after-12m-redevelopment-1-5245583

It always amazes me that those who go to Sixfields and castigate CCC for the abhorrent loan to ACL, don't take the same high handed view to the state loan made to the stadium they now call 'home'

 

[Cheshire Sky Blue]

As I said in another post, I’m assuming that CCFC will very soon put out a good explanation for the APPARENT discrepancy between their public statements about stadium discussions, and the FOI replies which have been received from various Councils.

No doubt what goes on behind the scenes is complicated, and I am sure the FOI process is open to various interpretations. Maybe the wrong questions and/or the wrong Councils have been asked, or perhaps I have misunderstood some of the Club’s past statements? So I for one am quite prepared to believe that there is a logical explanation. But surely, to avoid damage to its reputation, the Club cannot maintain a silence on this? As a lifelong supporter, I just want to be certain that I can rely on what I am told.

The only statement needed from SISU goes something like this...

"After a period of deep reflection we have reconciled the fact that we have failed as owners of a once fabulous football club. We have realised that we are not popular with the vast majority of the fan base and have damaged the brand that is Coventry City Football Club. It is therefore our intention to sell the Club to a consortium made up of local investors and the Fans Group SBT. SISU have worked closely with this Group and the Football League to ensure that the transfer of ownership take place in a coordinated and efficient way. We would wish to thank those that have supported SISU and apologise to the vast majority who do not". end......

 

[tuousis]

Just think,Nuneaton could play at Sixfields next season.

 

[skybluetony176]

Don’t they? I reckon that maintaining silence would be very dangerous. The Club has made a number of quite specific public statements about stadium discussions which have taken place with Local Authorities, but the formal FOI responses don’t appear to tally. I see various possibilities:-

1) Some of the Councils’ FOI responses are incorrect (seems unlikely given that it’s a formal process)
2) Some of the Club’s statements have been incorrect (surely not, given how definite they were?)
3) There is further information yet to be disclosed (maybe for legal or commercial reasons) which reconciles the apparent contradictions
4) I’ve missed something

Assuming it’s (3), I hope the Club will announce that it completely stands by all its previous statements, and in due course will be able to justify them. No need to reveal sites or any other commercial information – simply GUARANTEE to the supporters (and of course the football authorities) that the little information provided so far has been honest and trustworthy.

If it’s (4), can somebody PLEASE put me out of my misery?

You may well be right but my guess (which is all any of us have) is that they lay low until the dust settles. Simon Gilbert from the CET has hinted on a post on here that he has more to report on Monday from N&B council. Maybe we will know more then, however I thought the statement that N&B posted on their website was quite clear that no further conversion had taken place since an initial enquiry.

 

[ccfcway]

Just think,Nuneaton could play at Sixfields next season.

and the Ricoh for their home games !

 

[The Gentleman]

It always amazes me that those who go to Sixfields and castigate CCC for the abhorrent loan to ACL, don't take the same high handed view to the state loan made to the stadium they now call 'home'

Exactly, but what do you call hypocritical people who are calling people hypocrites ?