dongonzalos
Well-Known Member
http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/news-opinion/coventry-city-owners-sisu-sell-8566206
With a supporters' group calling on Sky Blues owners to leave, Simon Gilbert asks would Sisu cut their losses?
Coventry City FC’s largest supporters group has nailed its colours to the mast by calling on the club’s owners to sell up and leave.
But just how likely are Sisu to walk away? And are there any prospective purchasers waiting to snap up a struggling third-tier club with no stadium?
Sisu have set out their plans for the future of the club and they have come in for criticism from some supporters, including the Sky Blue Trust, as showing a lack of ambition.
With no mention of “promotion” in the 1,750-word plan, you can see why.
Few would argue that becoming self-sustainable is an unreasonable aim, but there is an argument that something needs to be done to break the current downward spiral of minimal investment = underachievement = falling attendances = falling income = minimal investment... and so on.
A lack of significant owner investment on the pitch doesn’t send the signals that Sisu are in this for the long term – perhaps further underlined by the fact that at the start of deadline day today only nine outfield players were contracted to stay at the club beyond this season.
What the Sisu's planned stadium could look like
But there is investment off the field, a conservative estimate puts ongoing legal costs way north of £1million in Sisu’s ongoing court battles over the Ricoh Arena with Coventry City Council – and now Wasps.
With a new judicial review application recently launched by the owners over the sale of ACL to the rugby club, it’s not inconceivable that these legal disputes could drag on for years – hardly a sign of being in this for the short term.
Coventry City fans' group demand club owners Sisu sell up and leave
Of course, whether you believe it or not, there’s also talk of building a new stadium for the club in the area.
Then there’s the small matter of the £40m-plus Sisu says it has invested in the Sky Blues since they took control seven years ago. Would they really be willing to walk away and cut their losses?
Overriding all this is Sisu’s insistence, repeated by chairman Tim Fisher last week, that the club is not for sale.
But everything is for sale at the right price, isn’t it? We have heard rumbles of interested consortiums and hyped-up takeover bids in the past – nothing has come to fruition. And it’s arguable that CCFC is a less attractive proposition now than ever.
Coventry City FC reveals its plans for the future
But if Sisu was to actively advertise the club as for sale, and seek a prospective purchaser, might that open some doors?
Also, let’s not forget this once proud club does have a passionate supporter base in the city. It’s the only club in a city of 300,000 people and it can bring in attendances of 30,000 plus on a good day – that has to make it an attractive proposition for a potential new owner.
VIEW GALLERY
There isn’t much every Coventry City supporter will agree on, but whether you agree with the Sky Blue Trust’s latest stance or not, one thing is clear.
People have already voted with their feet – 7,606 against Rochdale on Saturday was the lowest Saturday home crowd since 1962. Whether or not the owners leave, the fans are leaving the club.
Something has to change, or we may be facing a future without a Coventry City.
Do you agree with the Sky Blue Trust?
With a supporters' group calling on Sky Blues owners to leave, Simon Gilbert asks would Sisu cut their losses?
Coventry City FC’s largest supporters group has nailed its colours to the mast by calling on the club’s owners to sell up and leave.
But just how likely are Sisu to walk away? And are there any prospective purchasers waiting to snap up a struggling third-tier club with no stadium?
Sisu have set out their plans for the future of the club and they have come in for criticism from some supporters, including the Sky Blue Trust, as showing a lack of ambition.
With no mention of “promotion” in the 1,750-word plan, you can see why.
Few would argue that becoming self-sustainable is an unreasonable aim, but there is an argument that something needs to be done to break the current downward spiral of minimal investment = underachievement = falling attendances = falling income = minimal investment... and so on.
A lack of significant owner investment on the pitch doesn’t send the signals that Sisu are in this for the long term – perhaps further underlined by the fact that at the start of deadline day today only nine outfield players were contracted to stay at the club beyond this season.
What the Sisu's planned stadium could look like
But there is investment off the field, a conservative estimate puts ongoing legal costs way north of £1million in Sisu’s ongoing court battles over the Ricoh Arena with Coventry City Council – and now Wasps.
With a new judicial review application recently launched by the owners over the sale of ACL to the rugby club, it’s not inconceivable that these legal disputes could drag on for years – hardly a sign of being in this for the short term.
Coventry City fans' group demand club owners Sisu sell up and leave
Of course, whether you believe it or not, there’s also talk of building a new stadium for the club in the area.
Then there’s the small matter of the £40m-plus Sisu says it has invested in the Sky Blues since they took control seven years ago. Would they really be willing to walk away and cut their losses?
Overriding all this is Sisu’s insistence, repeated by chairman Tim Fisher last week, that the club is not for sale.
But everything is for sale at the right price, isn’t it? We have heard rumbles of interested consortiums and hyped-up takeover bids in the past – nothing has come to fruition. And it’s arguable that CCFC is a less attractive proposition now than ever.
Coventry City FC reveals its plans for the future
But if Sisu was to actively advertise the club as for sale, and seek a prospective purchaser, might that open some doors?
Also, let’s not forget this once proud club does have a passionate supporter base in the city. It’s the only club in a city of 300,000 people and it can bring in attendances of 30,000 plus on a good day – that has to make it an attractive proposition for a potential new owner.
VIEW GALLERY
There isn’t much every Coventry City supporter will agree on, but whether you agree with the Sky Blue Trust’s latest stance or not, one thing is clear.
People have already voted with their feet – 7,606 against Rochdale on Saturday was the lowest Saturday home crowd since 1962. Whether or not the owners leave, the fans are leaving the club.
Something has to change, or we may be facing a future without a Coventry City.
Do you agree with the Sky Blue Trust?