Apologies if this is stating information that we all know however i recently emailed the football league due to there lack of support and had a response in which i thought i would share and see what everyone else thoughts are on this. After my rant i asked two questions:
Question 1.
Why did you firstly allow SISU (Otium Entertainment or whatever they are called this week) retake the club from administration and how did they pass a 'fit and proper person' test?
Question 2.
What action are you taking to ensure we return to the city within 3 years that was 'promised'? What are the consequences if this doesn't happen?
Below is the response,
Thank you for your email.
The Football League has responded to a large number of questions in relation to Coventry City and their relocation to Northampton Town since the summer.
At the time we clarified that, in order for Coventry City Football Club to compete in League 1 last season, the Board agreed to transfer the club’s share to Otium under its ‘exceptional circumstances’ provision. This effectively sought to ensure the club continued to operate as a member of The League. Without this there would not be a Coventry City in The Football League.
As a condition Otium had to accept a ten point deduction, due to the fact that the club had been unable to agree a CVA as ordinarily required under The League’s insolvency policy. In terms of stadium relocation, whilst The League has publically urged Otium and ACL to resolve the dispute, The League has no jurisdiction to force any Club (or landlord for that matter) to come to an arrangement over land or rental agreement. With no agreement in place to play at the Ricoh Arena, reluctantly, the Board of Directors approved the application to relocate on a temporary basis only, otherwise with no venue to play at, they would not have been able to fulfil their fixtures, thus would not have been able to operate as a member of The League.
This fully outlines why the relocation to Northampton was sanctioned at the time.
As you will be aware the current situation at Coventry City remains extremely complex. The Board of The Football League has received updates on the matter and the situation continues to be closely monitored, with discussion ongoing regarding progress in returning the Club to the Coventry area.
You will understand that it is not always possible to make every detail of these meetings public, but as with all cases of clubs looking to move grounds, The League will continue to emphasise to the Club that supporters should be kept up to date as often as is practically possible.
The Board has given Coventry City permission to play its matches at Northampton Town for the next three seasons, with no agreement in place regarding the Ricoh Arena. Obviously if an arrangement is reached by the club to return to Coventry at an earlier point then this is desirable for all. The League has previously stated that ideally an agreement can be reached between parties to enable this to happen. This term can be extended for two further periods of 12 months, provided the club can demonstrate sufficient progress towards the building of a new stadium in the Coventry area. Should the club not comply with this timeframe, the matter will be considered by The Football League Board at the relevant time with reference to both the permission to relocate and the membership agreement entered into in August 2013. Expulsion from the League would be a realistic outcome at that stage.
The dispute between Arena Coventry Limited and Coventry City is ultimately one which must be resolved by the two parties themselves, if they are prepared to do so. However, The League is continuing with our efforts to get the Club playing back in the Coventry area as soon as possible and as aforementioned we have had regular discussions with the Club.
Should you not have done so already we would advise you contact the club directly with your queries.
Thank you for contacting The Football League
Two things i wasnt aware of.... we can still play in northampton for 2 years after the initial 3? expulsion from the league if the club are not showing adequate signs of coming back.
Question 1.
Why did you firstly allow SISU (Otium Entertainment or whatever they are called this week) retake the club from administration and how did they pass a 'fit and proper person' test?
Question 2.
What action are you taking to ensure we return to the city within 3 years that was 'promised'? What are the consequences if this doesn't happen?
Below is the response,
Thank you for your email.
The Football League has responded to a large number of questions in relation to Coventry City and their relocation to Northampton Town since the summer.
At the time we clarified that, in order for Coventry City Football Club to compete in League 1 last season, the Board agreed to transfer the club’s share to Otium under its ‘exceptional circumstances’ provision. This effectively sought to ensure the club continued to operate as a member of The League. Without this there would not be a Coventry City in The Football League.
As a condition Otium had to accept a ten point deduction, due to the fact that the club had been unable to agree a CVA as ordinarily required under The League’s insolvency policy. In terms of stadium relocation, whilst The League has publically urged Otium and ACL to resolve the dispute, The League has no jurisdiction to force any Club (or landlord for that matter) to come to an arrangement over land or rental agreement. With no agreement in place to play at the Ricoh Arena, reluctantly, the Board of Directors approved the application to relocate on a temporary basis only, otherwise with no venue to play at, they would not have been able to fulfil their fixtures, thus would not have been able to operate as a member of The League.
This fully outlines why the relocation to Northampton was sanctioned at the time.
As you will be aware the current situation at Coventry City remains extremely complex. The Board of The Football League has received updates on the matter and the situation continues to be closely monitored, with discussion ongoing regarding progress in returning the Club to the Coventry area.
You will understand that it is not always possible to make every detail of these meetings public, but as with all cases of clubs looking to move grounds, The League will continue to emphasise to the Club that supporters should be kept up to date as often as is practically possible.
The Board has given Coventry City permission to play its matches at Northampton Town for the next three seasons, with no agreement in place regarding the Ricoh Arena. Obviously if an arrangement is reached by the club to return to Coventry at an earlier point then this is desirable for all. The League has previously stated that ideally an agreement can be reached between parties to enable this to happen. This term can be extended for two further periods of 12 months, provided the club can demonstrate sufficient progress towards the building of a new stadium in the Coventry area. Should the club not comply with this timeframe, the matter will be considered by The Football League Board at the relevant time with reference to both the permission to relocate and the membership agreement entered into in August 2013. Expulsion from the League would be a realistic outcome at that stage.
The dispute between Arena Coventry Limited and Coventry City is ultimately one which must be resolved by the two parties themselves, if they are prepared to do so. However, The League is continuing with our efforts to get the Club playing back in the Coventry area as soon as possible and as aforementioned we have had regular discussions with the Club.
Should you not have done so already we would advise you contact the club directly with your queries.
Thank you for contacting The Football League
Two things i wasnt aware of.... we can still play in northampton for 2 years after the initial 3? expulsion from the league if the club are not showing adequate signs of coming back.