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Coventry council bosses want Sky Blues back at Ricoh Arena as tenants - not owners (1 Viewer)
SkyBlue_Bear83
Well-Known Member
Surprising
dongonzalos
Well-Known Member
By Les Reid | 20 Nov 2013 16:50
Coventry council could still be seeking a deal for the Sky Blues to return to the Ricoh as temporary tenants rather than as owners.
Neither council leader Ann Lucas or Joy Seppala, Coventry City’s hedge fund owner’s Sisu’s boss, are willing to disclose any details of their private talks nearly a fortnight ago - or say whether the two are still in communication.
But it appears the council’s chief executive Martin Reeves, and its finance director Chris West, have briefed fans on their hopes the club might return on a temporary rental deal - rather than groundsharing at Northampton for up to five years .
Ms Seppala has told the Telegraph the club will never return as tenants under Sisu - and wants freehold ownership of the Ricoh.
The pair met with two fans on Monday who partly revealed what was said on Coventry City fans’ internet podcast, The Nii Lamptey Show.
Sky Blues fans Andy Powell and Joey Crone shared their thoughts on their meeting with Mr Reeves and Mr West with their listeners - in episode 50 released last night.
Both said they found the meeting “depressing” and “disheartening”, given news of talks between Coun Lucas and Ms Seppala had led to some optimism for a Ricoh return.
Mr Powell told listeners Mr Reeves had said his goal was to “get the club back in the city”, adding: “He sees it as a building block in terms of getting the club back in on a rental deal leading to a sale of the freehold if it’s there to be sold.”
Mr Crone said they had also been told the council did not sell freeholds. He added his “reading” was “the Lucas/Seppala talks are not going to provide to be ultimately fruitful.”
He said, having also met Ms Seppala, that he believed Sisu building a new stadium in Warwickshire was a “real possibility” and added: “If that happens, Sisu have to decide whether they go back to the Ricoh as tenants or stay in Northampton (for up to five years). I get a horrible feeling they would stick it out at Northampton as a point of principle.”
The presenters said there appeared to be no offer of extra stadium revenues to bolster the loss-making club’s finances, which Mr Powell said had always been the crux of the dispute, adding: “Rent is almost irrelevant now.”
Asked about the briefing, a council spokesman replied: “Martin Reeves and Christ West met two representatives from the supporters consultative group earlier this week after they requested a private discussion some weeks ago.
“It was made clear to them that nothing confidential could be shared with them and Martin Reeves and Chris West could only speak on behalf of the council and not on behalf of all ACL shareholders, but were happy to answer the representatives’ questions as far as they could.
“Throughout this process the council has been absolutely committed to being as open and transparent with fans as it could and within the constraints of on-going legal action which has severely fettered its ability to speak publicly on this issue.
“It was agreed at the time that the details of the meeting between Ann Lucas and Joy Seppala should remain private, and this remains the council’s view, so will not be commenting further.”
The two women met in London on Friday, November 8, after confirming to the Telegraph they would finally agree to meet after days of questioning by us.
It followed a Telegraph front page in which the club said it had requested Coun Lucas to make clear whether she was prepared to discuss a freehold sale of the stadium and surrounding land, based in independent valuations.
If not, the club said it would press on with building a ground in Warwickshire.
Coun Lucas had responded two weeks ago by saying “all options are available for discussion”, adding: “I am prepared to discuss, subject to contract, and without prejudice to the on-going court case, the issue of stadium ownership with Joy Seppala just I have been prepared to discuss stadium ownership with other interested third parties in the past.”
Her statement did not include or exclude a sale on a freehold or leasehold basis.
It was the first time parties on both sides of the long-running bitter dispute have held talks about Ricoh ownership since March, when Arena Coventry Limited - jointly owned by the council and Alan Edward Higgs Chairty - filed for Coventry City Football Club Ltd’s administration over the club’s non-payment of rent.
The council as freehold owner leases the land to ACL, which in turn had a licence and lease arrangement with CCFC Ltd, the company now in liquidation.
Any Ricoh sale would have to be approved by the heavily dominant ruling Labour group, and at a full council meeting.
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Coventry council could still be seeking a deal for the Sky Blues to return to the Ricoh as temporary tenants rather than as owners.
Neither council leader Ann Lucas or Joy Seppala, Coventry City’s hedge fund owner’s Sisu’s boss, are willing to disclose any details of their private talks nearly a fortnight ago - or say whether the two are still in communication.
But it appears the council’s chief executive Martin Reeves, and its finance director Chris West, have briefed fans on their hopes the club might return on a temporary rental deal - rather than groundsharing at Northampton for up to five years .
Ms Seppala has told the Telegraph the club will never return as tenants under Sisu - and wants freehold ownership of the Ricoh.
The pair met with two fans on Monday who partly revealed what was said on Coventry City fans’ internet podcast, The Nii Lamptey Show.
Sky Blues fans Andy Powell and Joey Crone shared their thoughts on their meeting with Mr Reeves and Mr West with their listeners - in episode 50 released last night.
Both said they found the meeting “depressing” and “disheartening”, given news of talks between Coun Lucas and Ms Seppala had led to some optimism for a Ricoh return.
Mr Powell told listeners Mr Reeves had said his goal was to “get the club back in the city”, adding: “He sees it as a building block in terms of getting the club back in on a rental deal leading to a sale of the freehold if it’s there to be sold.”
Mr Crone said they had also been told the council did not sell freeholds. He added his “reading” was “the Lucas/Seppala talks are not going to provide to be ultimately fruitful.”
He said, having also met Ms Seppala, that he believed Sisu building a new stadium in Warwickshire was a “real possibility” and added: “If that happens, Sisu have to decide whether they go back to the Ricoh as tenants or stay in Northampton (for up to five years). I get a horrible feeling they would stick it out at Northampton as a point of principle.”
The presenters said there appeared to be no offer of extra stadium revenues to bolster the loss-making club’s finances, which Mr Powell said had always been the crux of the dispute, adding: “Rent is almost irrelevant now.”
Asked about the briefing, a council spokesman replied: “Martin Reeves and Christ West met two representatives from the supporters consultative group earlier this week after they requested a private discussion some weeks ago.
“It was made clear to them that nothing confidential could be shared with them and Martin Reeves and Chris West could only speak on behalf of the council and not on behalf of all ACL shareholders, but were happy to answer the representatives’ questions as far as they could.
“Throughout this process the council has been absolutely committed to being as open and transparent with fans as it could and within the constraints of on-going legal action which has severely fettered its ability to speak publicly on this issue.
“It was agreed at the time that the details of the meeting between Ann Lucas and Joy Seppala should remain private, and this remains the council’s view, so will not be commenting further.”
The two women met in London on Friday, November 8, after confirming to the Telegraph they would finally agree to meet after days of questioning by us.
It followed a Telegraph front page in which the club said it had requested Coun Lucas to make clear whether she was prepared to discuss a freehold sale of the stadium and surrounding land, based in independent valuations.
If not, the club said it would press on with building a ground in Warwickshire.
Coun Lucas had responded two weeks ago by saying “all options are available for discussion”, adding: “I am prepared to discuss, subject to contract, and without prejudice to the on-going court case, the issue of stadium ownership with Joy Seppala just I have been prepared to discuss stadium ownership with other interested third parties in the past.”
Her statement did not include or exclude a sale on a freehold or leasehold basis.
It was the first time parties on both sides of the long-running bitter dispute have held talks about Ricoh ownership since March, when Arena Coventry Limited - jointly owned by the council and Alan Edward Higgs Chairty - filed for Coventry City Football Club Ltd’s administration over the club’s non-payment of rent.
The council as freehold owner leases the land to ACL, which in turn had a licence and lease arrangement with CCFC Ltd, the company now in liquidation.
Any Ricoh sale would have to be approved by the heavily dominant ruling Labour group, and at a full council meeting.
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covcity4life
Well-Known Member
same old council, dont want club to prosper.
TrueSkyBlueLiam
Member
There you go people! Coventry City Football Club wont be returning to the Ricoh Arena or the City of Coventry. We are officially fucked
RoboCCFC90
Well-Known Member
Don't jump to conclusions TSBL I think from the comments that Mr Powell shared from the meeting it sounds like that the Council commitment and guarantees SISU which as fans of the club and in the interest of fairness shouldn't be as hard as asking for blood from a stone.
fernandopartridge
Well-Known Member
Has the case ever been different? Sorry this is just guff and speculation to continue to fill the paper.
fernandopartridge
Well-Known Member
Is certainly what I would consider to be a sensible option. In the meantime lets get the club back and THEN consider the other options. Not keep the club away whilst considering options.
TrueSkyBlueLiam
Member
SISU have made it clear they will not come back as tenants. It wont happen. Im sorry but I've lost all hope now. This news has devastated me
fernandopartridge
Well-Known Member
Oh my word
RoboCCFC90
Well-Known Member
I understand your initial sentiment TSBL but think about it after what SISU have done over the last couples of years is it really surprising, CCC want SISU to show commitment to the club, to the fans, to the people of the City and the Arena itself. Not to much to ask in my view.
covcity4life
Well-Known Member
because we all care..............a lot.
ccfcway
Well-Known Member
seems sensible to me
Council saying "rent the ricoh until you build your stadium"
SiSU get their fans back (income), we get our club back to Coventry and SISU can them crack on and build the stadium
unless of course they arent going to build the stadium :thinking about:
The longer they stay away, the more fans they are losing, the more money they are losing and the more it gives ACL a chance to look elsewhere for revenues for Ricoh !
It simply makes no sense !
Council saying "rent the ricoh until you build your stadium"
SiSU get their fans back (income), we get our club back to Coventry and SISU can them crack on and build the stadium
unless of course they arent going to build the stadium :thinking about:
The longer they stay away, the more fans they are losing, the more money they are losing and the more it gives ACL a chance to look elsewhere for revenues for Ricoh !
It simply makes no sense !
saltaire bantam
Well-Known Member
If SISU didn't have a customer base, then they'd be well and truly fooked. You turned the screw and it's been a superb effort, but you'll have to turn it a bit more.
But didn't sisu ask for a three year run-off to the last deal offered by ACL prior to going into administration?
And wasn't it rejected flat out by ACL?
sky blue john
Well-Known Member
Telegraph are making out they got joy and Lucas together !!!!!!!!!
What a load of bollocks
What a load of bollocks
torchomatic
Well-Known Member
True. Yet everyone believed the Telegraph when it put the ridiculous "Spend Spend Spend" headline on the story of SP meeting JS.
Mr T - Sukka!
Active Member
Wouldnt it be so much better if ACL brought CCFC.
It would end all this madness. It would be too good to be true.
It would end all this madness. It would be too good to be true.
Be even better if someone else bought both ACL and CCFC.
That's what Higgs/CCC want, what SISU want and certainly what most fans want. We can dream, I suppose.
italiahorse
Well-Known Member
CCC have pushed this to a head. Thankfully.
SISU need to make a big decision, the right decision is not one they can take without backing down.
I'm almost past caring but I just want it sorting one way or another.
One thing is certain for me is that I will not support a team for 5 years outside Coventry that is coming back to a place outside Coventry to a 12000 seater stadium (SISU Utd?). I will have moved on.
SISU need to make a big decision, the right decision is not one they can take without backing down.
I'm almost past caring but I just want it sorting one way or another.
One thing is certain for me is that I will not support a team for 5 years outside Coventry that is coming back to a place outside Coventry to a 12000 seater stadium (SISU Utd?). I will have moved on.
italiahorse
Well-Known Member
Covstu
Well-Known Member
spot on, lets end this already so we can all move on!!!
covcity4life
Well-Known Member
who are you kidding?
we could be at sixfields for 18 years and you would still be like "oooh dont mind me,just picking up last of my things,but soon i will move on!............for good!.....really!"
Houchens Head
Fairly well known member from Malvern
How about "Coventry council bosses want Sky Blues back at Ricoh Arena for a crate of Tenants"
Grendel
Well-Known Member
This is a joke, right?
italiahorse
Well-Known Member
who are you kidding?
we could be at sixfields for 18 years and you would still be like "oooh dont mind me,just picking up last of my things,but soon i will move on!............for good!.....really!"
I can't do it.
I reckon Xmas will be the decision point for ACL and the point of no return for CCFC financial survival.
I am going through the motions at the moment and attending just away games.
I will listen from afar but will stop attending away games after Xmas.
If the Sixfields/Warwickshire 12000 stadium/Sisu situation changes I may reconsider.
who are you kidding?
we could be at sixfields for 18 years and you would still be like "oooh dont mind me,just picking up last of my things,but soon i will move on!............for good!.....really!"
You have got to be joking. The only reason that the majority have maintained interest this long is that we are playing better football than we have for years, off the back of a reasonably successful season last season.
If you honestly believe our away support would have been so outstanding if we had been losing every game you are deluded.
So the moment we lose Pressley to a "bigger" team and normal service is resumed, then an awful lot of people will quickly discover the delights of other activities on a Saturday afternoon.
If we are not back at the Ricoh by Xmas [which is looking increasingly unlikely] or there are firm plans for a new stadium which are in the public domain [Which ain't going to happen] we are fooked, and the support will the moment we start performing badly.
I can't do it.
I reckon Xmas will be the decision point for ACL and the point of no return for CCFC financial survival.
I am going through the motions at the moment and attending just away games.
I will listen from afar but will stop attending away games after Xmas.
If the Sixfields/Warwickshire 12000 stadium/Sisu situation changes I may reconsider.
I must admit that ive lost a lot of passion this season. I wasn't even that bothered when Bradford equalised ftom the spot on Sunday. Id normally want to kick the tv over.
Sisu buggering off to Northampton has given me a chance to watch more of the national team though. My football passion is still there because i go ape when England score.
I just hope the passion for city returns but it won't whilst we play in Northampton.