The Sky Blue Trust and Supporters Direct will discuss how fans could look to secure a stake in the club
Coventry City’s largest supporters group has arranged a meeting to discuss the possibility of fan-led takeover of the club.
The Sky Blue Trust will hold an open meeting this month with representatives of Supporters Direct who have a track record of helping fans secure stakes in their clubs.
It comes after the Trust made a formal approach to Joy Seppala , the chief executive of Coventry City owners Sisu, to discuss the possibility of a supporter-led takeover. But the approach was rejected before any meeting or discussions could take place .
Sisu snubs Coventry City takeover approach and insist club is not for sale
Thousands of fans have demanded that the London hedge fund put the club up for sale and actively seek to attract a new owner after nine years of CCFC decline under Sisu .
The meeting will be held at The Albany Club, in Earlsdon, from 7.30pm on Monday, January 23.
CCFC and Sky Blue Trust
A spokesman for the Trust said: “Over 20,000 people have signed the Coventry Telegraph petition calling on Sisu to put Coventry City up for sale.
“Campaigning, involving large numbers of City fans, is producing a clamour for that to happen, which grows in strength by the day and which has received clear backing from many respected people in football.
“What can supporters do to try to bring that about? Could fans be involved in buying the Club from Sisu and seeking to reverse the appalling decline of the last nine years.
Scotland boss Gordon Strachan says people are interested in Coventry City takeover
“The national organisation, Supporters Direct, has been working since 2000 to help supporters gain influence in the running and ownership of their club. The meeting will hear from representatives of Supporters Direct about the numerous examples of successful supporter ownership of clubs, both in their entirety and in partnership with wealthy investors.
“The meeting will explore how possible supporter ownership should be tackled. Supporters Direct and Trust representatives will then describe possible ways forward in Coventry involving, as necessary early steps, a process of consulting and informing Coventry supporters on the opportunities and issues involved.”
The same supporters direct who worked with the council's PR company?
Will be interesting to see what they advise as we aren't in an admin situation so it's only a case of getting some money and buying it.
Reckon I might tag along just to be nosey!Right round the corner from me.
Suppose I better pop along.
so is that a conflict of interest or do PR companies work for whoever pays them? Isn't there a poster on here who works in PR?
Maybe they could shed some light on it.
Would also be interesting to know who the investors are and what they're willing to put into the club, surely the trust have some people lined up?I guess it will be more about how the shares would work and stuff wouldn't it? The processes of raising and collecting money etc etc?
Would be interesting to know how other clubs went about it.
Would also be interesting to know who the investors are and what they're willing to put into the club, surely the trust have some people lined up?
I think that this is a sensible move by the Trust although they will have been speaking to SD about it in private for a good few years. Hopefully Preston Haskell IV, Ray Ranson or Gary Hoffman aren't going to be involved ;-)
One thing worth pointing out – remember our first opponents after we got relegated to the Championship? Stockport County? Have a look at how things went there to counter the success stories of AFC Wimbledon & Pompey before we get too excited.
Realistically how viable is it? All we have pretty much seen is articles in the telegraph about being fan owned, fan owned statements etc. What's the plan already in place etc if we became fan owned?
Just hope it's not another stunt to get fans worked up and get some protests.
Should have.Thank you, the Trust should of used this avenue before they made it aware to Tim that they wanted to discuss a takeover.
At least we'd have a fresh start with all that need negotiating with.
Let's see how it goes first Nick.
Yep, agreeLet's see how it goes first Nick.
Talking to someone from Wycombe atm and they may be able to send someone too. A 100% fan owned club that is relatively stable.
I'd hope there would be more interest from local businesses etc if fan owned. It's a long way off, but I'd welcome it. Even if temporarily before selling on to Megabucks El Mikhailov.
Think that's where it needs businesses too who can put a bit more in, say it's a lifetime logo on the scoreboard for a price etc.The problem we have ATM is despite the 'SISU out' talk, I've not seen anything remotely resembling a plan as to how that how that happens & what the way forward is. For all the CT's 'put CCFC up for sale and find a buyer' they seem to be more interested in getting a quote from anyone who has played for or managed Cov rather than finding actual buyers who could make a difference.
This meeting looks like it could be the start of a plan but there's still a long way to go. The options seem to be either damage the club so much that SISU give up – a very dangerous game considering we will want success when they leave and the lower we sink, the harder it will be to get back– or try and buy.
If it comes down to buying, if everyone who has signed the petition chips in £250 (highly unlikely, let's be fair), there will be £5m which might get you a sit-down with Joy.* On top of that we'll need money, or at least a line of credit, to guarantee contracts (players, staff, stadium, etc.) and so forth. The problem is, what is the security for that? (We will have the advantage of inheriting a club that is breaking even tho'. :smuggrin
So maybe it comes down to the Trust with other investors and we're back in Preston Haskell IV-land. Are there any legitimate, potential investors out there that don't already have their hands dirty from previously fucking up the club?
*This is a total guess BTW.
And Hereford, Boston and Darlington
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