Notes from Supporters Forum (2 Viewers)

[Skyblueweeman]

“That’s the way it”

You seem very supportive of our owners these days - you also are constantly avoiding the comments regarding the club owners strategy to frequently try and obtain assets while at the same time compromising the clubs existence

Next time you have a fireside chat with Dave ask him about that as his CV shows he’s a specialist at compromising clubs’ existence through such actions

Oh and I’ve never seen a administrator (which is all Boddy is) trying to flog players by putting a price in the programme

Amateur fool well above his pay grade

Very supportive of our owners?!

I mean, if you take 'they're not great custodians of our club' and 'they could spend more on recruitment, Ryton' etc as supportive of our owners...well, thats a totally weird flex...but ok...

I don't care about what Boddy did at Worcester. I care about Coventry City FC. Are all the right decisions made for our club...no. That's NO just incase you don't grasp that. Does every club always make the right decisions though...no.

Do I think selling our best players is part and parcel of life as a football fan...for the majority of fans? Yes. I fail to see how you don't grasp this. This isn't support for our current regime. This is a fact of football life.

We all want owners who will pump in millions and don't care about getting that money back, right?

But as well as deciphering our financials (as backed up by OSBs accurate analysis) as bollocks, a sense of realism leads to 'thats the way it is'.

Oh, as for their strategy...we're in a worse position than when the arrived. League wise, the same but the stadium issue is worse. I'm sure you'll agree that I'm not sitting on the fence there.

Until a Knight rides in on a golden treasure chest, its what we have. I accept it for what it is and enjoy the good parts of our club as it is today. The last 10-15 years has been pretty shit.

Enjoy the good bits G rather than moan about everyone other than Callum O'Hares contribution to the team. People might eventually forget the preposterous suggesting that Kenny Jackett would do a better job than MR. I don't apologise mentioning that in 2 posts recently. It was a clanger of epic proportions.

 

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[shmmeee]

We did at the beginning of the season though did we not?

We're not at all though are we as we also seem to offer contract extensions to existing players that aren't particularly deserving of it. E.g. Kelly and Jones. We also prematurely did the same with Mason the season before last. The fact we also signed Bright on a 2-year contract, let alone signed him at all, was also sheer lunacy.

Not really sure how you're disputing the fact that there's clearly a flaw with our recruitment/retention strategy.

Indont think there is? Since promotion we’ve had maybe two outright duds. Walker was top scorer last year and Kelly and Shipley fairly regularly starters it bench players. The others are overhangs from promotion really.

I think an average of one or two dud signings a year is a reasonable amount. The problem isn’t a few kids and Jodi Jones on fuck all a week. It’s that we can’t afford a squad of 25 players. Losing Jones, Pask, Shipley, Jobello would likely cover one championship player. The 12 you’ve mentioned all going wouldn’t bring us up to where we need to be.

They stick out because we can’t afford to waste a penny and that’s an unrealistic expectation in football. We’ve got probably the best recruitment since Coleman and a team that gets them playing above themselves and still it’s not enough.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

Higher prices lack of budget & ambition this season,I can see season ticket sales down next season

Because we haven’t progressed. Crock of shit that is

 

[cc84cov]

Because we haven’t progressed. Crock of shit that is

Last seasons sales pitch was about helping fund the team etc January come and we signed Bidwell...lacked ambition the owners have taken us as far as they can the sooner their shit show is out of this city the better

 

[KenilworthSkyBlue]

Indont think there is? Since promotion we’ve had maybe two outright duds. Walker was top scorer last year and Kelly and Shipley fairly regularly starters it bench players. The others are overhangs from promotion really.

I think an average of one or two dud signings a year is a reasonable amount. The problem isn’t a few kids and Jodi Jones on fuck all a week. It’s that we can’t afford a squad of 25 players. Losing Jones, Pask, Shipley, Jobello would likely cover one championship player. The 12 you’ve mentioned all going wouldn’t bring us up to where we need to be.

They stick out because we can’t afford to waste a penny and that’s an unrealistic expectation in football. We’ve got probably the best recruitment since Coleman and a team that gets them playing above themselves and still it’s not enough.

But you must at least agree it’s strange that the club offer similar length contracts to higher-risk signings such as Hilssner and Dacosta, as they do to players they invest heavily in such as Hamer and Gyokeres. Does that not at the very least suggest there’s no real strategy or risk mitigation process in place? Why don’t they instead structure contracts for the higher risk signings in such a way where the club can mitigate that risk somewhat. A 2 year contract with an option of a further year in the club’s favour for instance?

But isn’t that the point? It’s accumulative so 2-3 bad signings/strange contract extensions in successive seasons quickly develops into a sizeable dent in the playing budget does it not? Especially when you couple that with players falling out of favour throughout the season. To mitigate that you have to be more diligent in what is offered to who.

Would it not? Moving on the 12 I’ve mentioned would probably facilitate the signing of 3 permanent additions on competitive wages. How much depth do you realistically think we need?

My main issue is, is that Robins bemoans the fact the squad is paper thin and he needs more players when that’s actually a bit of a misconception. The squad is thin because it’s filled with unusable players that can’t be moved on and are therefore taking up budget. So who’s fault is that? Granted Robins/Badlan etc have done a fantastic job so far but does that excuse them from wrongdoing or make people unable to point out where improvements perhaps could be made? It’s nothing to do with fans never being happy that’s such a cop out statement.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

Last seasons sales pitch was about helping fund the team etc January come and we signed Bidwell...lacked ambition the owners have taken us as far as they can the sooner their shit show is out of this city the better

For real? Wow ok

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

But you must at least agree it’s strange that the club offer similar length contracts to higher-risk signings such as Hilssner and Dacosta, as they do to players they invest heavily in such as Hamer and Gyokeres. Does that not at the very least suggest there’s no real strategy or risk mitigation process in place? Why don’t they instead structure contracts for the higher risk signings in such a way where the club can mitigate that risk somewhat. A 2 year contract with an option of a further year in the club’s favour for instance?

But isn’t that the point? It’s accumulative so 2-3 bad signings/strange contract extensions in successive seasons quickly develops into a sizeable dent in the playing budget does it not? Especially when you couple that with players falling out of favour throughout the season. To mitigate that you have to be more diligent in what is offered to who.

Would it not? Moving on the 12 I’ve mentioned would probably facilitate the signing of 3 permanent additions on competitive wages. How much depth do you realistically think we need?

My main issue is, is that Robins bemoans the fact the squad is paper thin and he needs more players when that’s actually a bit of a misconception. The squad is thin because it’s filled with unusable players that can’t be moved on and are therefore taking up budget. So who’s fault is that? Granted Robins/Badlan etc have done a fantastic job so far but does that excuse them from wrongdoing or make people unable to point out where improvements perhaps could be made? It’s nothing to do with fans never being happy that’s such a cop out statement.

Yep sack him he’s shit

 

[KenilworthSkyBlue]

Yep sack him he’s shit

Well I'm not saying that am I.

Criticising Robins and the backroom staff for a problem area that should perhaps be looked at more closely isn't synonymous with wanting him sacked.

That's the same idiotic rhetoric used by fans who bemoaned others for questioning his logic when bringing Bright back.

 

[Grendel]

Yep sack him he’s shit

 

[Sick Boy]

According to some on here we have a 25 goal a season striker for this league - surely we could be sorted for the next couple of seasons once the bidding war starts?

 

[NorthernWisdom]

According to some on here we have a 25 goal a season striker for this league - surely we could be sorted for the next couple of seasons once the bidding war starts?

tbf, Gyokeres may well be the golden goose...

 

[Sick Boy]

tbf, Gyokeres may well be the golden goose...

I wasn’t on about him.

 

[oldfiver]

Last seasons sales pitch was about helping fund the team etc January come and we signed Bidwell...lacked ambition the owners have taken us as far as they can the sooner their shit show is out of this city the better

I do not follow this...funds would appear to have been available off the money tree for MR to use . He and his crew ( not DB or SISU) bought Bidwell and agreed a long contract - so whose failure is it should he not reach the aspirations on here?

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

You’re a tit sometimes. I’d hate to live in peoples worlds where it’s always a case of looking for what is the worst possible scenario and adding to it and then wallowing in it. You’re welcome to have no enjoyment at all. I choose to see the gold in what I can

 

[Grendel]

You’re a tit sometimes. I’d hate to live in peoples worlds where it’s always a case of looking for what is the worst possible scenario and adding to it and then wallowing in it. You’re welcome to have no enjoyment at all. I choose to see the gold in what I can

I was pointing out your response to
Another poster was somewhat childish

he / she presented a pretty good and comprehensive critique of recruitment over several posts and your response back was not exactly very mature

 

[Skyblueweeman]

According to some on here we have a 25 goal a season striker for this league - surely we could be sorted for the next couple of seasons once the bidding war starts?

Who said that?! I mean, up top looks better than it has done in years. We've got two strikers with more than 10 goals this season. First time in how many years.

Just need to keep Godden fit and get good back up for Gooden and Gyo.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

Well I'm not saying that am I.

Criticising Robins and the backroom staff for a problem area that should perhaps be looked at more closely isn't synonymous with wanting him sacked.

That's the same idiotic rhetoric used by fans who bemoaned others for questioning his logic when bringing Bright back.

I’ll give that a like. Sorry

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

I was pointing out your response to
Another poster was somewhat childish

he / she presented a pretty good and comprehensive critique of recruitment over several posts and your response back was not exactly very mature

Just joining in

 

[EalingSB]

Coventry City Supporters Forum
Minutes of the meeting on the 3rd of March 2022 @ 5.00pm

1. Apologies for absence
Jim Brown
Dave Busst
Pete Griffiths
Pat Raybould
Colin Power
Mike Garlick

2. Attendees:
Dave Boddy (DB)
Mark Hornby (MH)
Chris Halliday (CH)
Gordon Dando (GD)
Ray Stephens (RS)
Steve Maloney (SM)
Steve Harding (SH)
Laura Hartley (LH)
Dave Eyles (DE)
Kevin Greenfield (KG)

3. Discussion on submitted questions to Dave Boddy


Q1. Will the owners be able to agree a competitive budget for 2022/23 without significant player sales?
Model for CCFC has always included player sales/trades to improve the playing squad. If we don’t trade, we will not progress in adding funds to the playing budget and thus strengthening the squad. The Club would never under sell a player and has not done so in my tenure. This has always been the policy, but should not be interpreted that we would be looking to sell players in the Summer transfer window, and that will always be dictated by market conditions.

Q1b Will the funds generated from selling players go 100% into improving the playing squad? Money generated goes back into the funding of the Club. DB gave several examples where this has happened.

Q2. How much of an impact will the improvements required at Ryton have on the playing budget?
None. There will be no significant further investment, as the longer-term aim is to invest in a new training ground, i.e. laying new pitches. We will continue to invest in equipment, people and resources at the training ground.
Q2a. Will the Warwick University development include the first team training ground?
This has not been ruled out. However, other sites have been identified for the 1st team training ground. If anybody were to train at the University long-term, it is more likely that the Academy would be based there. However, there has been no discussion with the University about basing any training facilities at the University.
Q2b Does the club have any comments on the current state of the playing surface this season? Are there plans to improve the playing surface for next season?
The current pitch was in excellent condition prior to Christmas. With a heavy loading of rugby games either side of Christmas, the pitch has deteriorated in late January. The good news is there will be a significant renovation of the playing surface ahead of the 2022/23 season.

Q3. Is there any news on season ticket prices for 2022/23?
Yes. There is a Board call tomorrow (Friday) to sign-off the numbers for 2022/23. Season Tickets should be on sale in 7 - 10 days. The prices of the season tickets will remain very competitive.
Q4. Can the club clarify the positive impact record season ticket sales have had on this season?

Record season ticket sales for 2021/22 have helped to reduce the loss the club will make this season. Season ticket sales are the life blood of the club. The club’s new Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system is helping the club to work with the current 11,500 season ticket holders. Season ticket growth helped with increases in food and beverage sales for 2021/22. The target for 2022/23 is to hit the current season actual numbers of 11,555 and hopefully grow beyond that number.

Q5. Is there a reason for the lack of special offers on match tickets sales? Are there any plans to have any offers before the end of the season?
The new CRM system enables the club to target offers to specific supporters based on their attendance patterns etc. It is unlikely that Season Ticket holders will have been contacted as part of these marketing campaigns. There have been several campaigns run over the season so far that have been successful targeting supporters, including on the number of games attended. The club also wants to reward loyalty, so in future there will be offers for regular attendees as well and Season Ticket holders. Probably no specific match package for the final games, as the Club is already offering targeted offers to supporters based on their data.

Q6. Are there any plans to improve the queuing at the turnstiles for 2022/23?
The club is always trying to improve stewarding operations both outside and inside the stadium. Larger crowds unfortunately lead to longer queues to access the stadium on match days. It was pointed out that many supporters currently try to access their seats via the block numbers on their season ticket or match ticket even when busy. It is not fully understood by fans that they can enter via any turnstiles not just the turnstile number printed on the ticket. Hopefully this will be communicated more frequently on match days to help improve the queuing time. Overall, most fans on the call found the queuing times acceptable, but it was noted that it did really depend on how early/late you arrive at the stadium.

Q7. The fence running down the left-hand side of car park B appears to be creating more problems than it solves.
The current police position is they will not hold back away fans after the game. If more room is required to walk down the left-hand side, the club can look at this. The Police and matchday safety operation team both believe the fence and its location in Car Park B has been a very successful way to keep away supporters clear of our home supporters and ensure Sky Blues fans’ safety. We understand the issues for some parking in Car Park B and would probably look at relocating home supporters from this Car Park next season.

Q8. Observations from many supporters is that drug taking has increased inside the stadium this season. What are the club’s plans to address this?
The club, safety operations and the police are aware of the issue. Ultimately it the responsibility of the police to manage this on match days but the club is working hard with the authorities to improve the situation. Members of the group confirmed that this issue was happening at away games and home games and impacts on supporter’s match day experience.

Q9. Feedback from fans using the train and bus services from the city Centre to the stadium is that the transport system is very poor. What is the club view on this?
It was noted that West Midlands Trains have recently re-installed the two-carriage train between Nuneaton and Coventry. This was not seen as a real benefit due to the train size in relation to the number of people wanting to use the service. DB encouraged members of the group to lobby the relevant authorities and elected representatives for improved transport links to the stadium.
Dhillons (Sky Blue Tavern) - the pricing of the return ticket is an issue for some supporters. The group agreed to circulate the Dhillons, and the Albany club offers, to and from their venues, for next season more widely. The Club may be able to add this information to the match day guide.
Q10. Are there any plans to improve half time entertainment for 2022/23?
Due to Covid protocols, access to the pitch has been restricted this season, so no entertainment has been possible this season. Hopefully this will be back for next season.

4. HerGameToo – Laura Hartley
Laura led a short discussion on the ‘HerGameToo’ movement, her role as the Coventry Ambassador, and the recent Q&A held with Dave Boddy. (Minutes of which are on the CCFC website). The Luton Town game on Tuesday the 8th of March has been designated as a ‘HerGameToo’ game with the club.
All members of the group felt that the ‘HerGameToo’ initiative was an excellent new initiative. Members committed to share the HerGameToo information with their memberships. Laura was also invited to join the group permanently.

Thanks for doing this, Pete.

 

[shmmeee]

But you must at least agree it’s strange that the club offer similar length contracts to higher-risk signings such as Hilssner and Dacosta, as they do to players they invest heavily in such as Hamer and Gyokeres. Does that not at the very least suggest there’s no real strategy or risk mitigation process in place? Why don’t they instead structure contracts for the higher risk signings in such a way where the club can mitigate that risk somewhat. A 2 year contract with an option of a further year in the club’s favour for instance?

But isn’t that the point? It’s accumulative so 2-3 bad signings/strange contract extensions in successive seasons quickly develops into a sizeable dent in the playing budget does it not? Especially when you couple that with players falling out of favour throughout the season. To mitigate that you have to be more diligent in what is offered to who.

Would it not? Moving on the 12 I’ve mentioned would probably facilitate the signing of 3 permanent additions on competitive wages. How much depth do you realistically think we need?

My main issue is, is that Robins bemoans the fact the squad is paper thin and he needs more players when that’s actually a bit of a misconception. The squad is thin because it’s filled with unusable players that can’t be moved on and are therefore taking up budget. So who’s fault is that? Granted Robins/Badlan etc have done a fantastic job so far but does that excuse them from wrongdoing or make people unable to point out where improvements perhaps could be made? It’s nothing to do with fans never being happy that’s such a cop out statement.

I think if you’re asking someone to live a three year deal is standard. You only really see shorter deals with older players, who have we ever signed on a two year deal? Waghorn is all that springs to mind. It’s a two way street, you don’t just say “you’re getting two years”.

We’re not going to agree here, but I stand by the statement that shipping out the 8 remaining players you mention wouldn’t add up to the 5/6 player we are short at the moment.

 

[Sky_Blue_Dreamer]

I think if you’re asking someone to live a three year deal is standard. You only really see shorter deals with older players, who have we ever signed on a two year deal? Waghorn is all that springs to mind. It’s a two way street, you don’t just say “you’re getting two years”.

We’re not going to agree here, but I stand by the statement that shipping out the 8 remaining players you mention wouldn’t add up to the 5/6 player we are short at the moment.

You can see why they offer three years, esp for those coming from abroad and have to settle in, but it does leave us with little wiggle room if they flop. Maybe two with an extra year in the clubs favour, but with a decent pay increase for them to sweeten it?

 

[The Philosopher]

“That’s the way it”

You seem very supportive of our owners these days - you also are constantly avoiding the comments regarding the club owners strategy to frequently try and obtain assets while at the same time compromising the clubs existence

Next time you have a fireside chat with Dave ask him about that as his CV shows he’s a specialist at compromising clubs’ existence through such actions

Oh and I’ve never seen a administrator (which is all Boddy is) trying to flog players by putting a price in the programme

Amateur fool well above his pay grade

I’ll agree with the point about putting player “prices” in the program notes. Amateur move.

There’s an earlier mention about Dion Dublin’s transfer earlier in this thread. There was a minimum release fee of 5 million or something iirc. This meant that any club offering 5 m plus could get to speak to him.

He (as Premier League top scorer and England squad player) was worth say, 8-10m easily.

By offering the club 5m or whatever, suitors for Dublin could offer big wages and sign on fee and still be getting good value. Eg. 8m player, 5 to club, 2 to DD, 1m extra on contract wages and the buying club still be able to justify to their owners that they were getting a good deal. Of course DD would take it.

Note to owners: if you need to put in a release clause to get a player to sign with us then make sure there’s a sell on clause, buy back or some mechanism for adjustment.

 

[KenilworthSkyBlue]

I think if you’re asking someone to live a three year deal is standard. You only really see shorter deals with older players, who have we ever signed on a two year deal? Waghorn is all that springs to mind. It’s a two way street, you don’t just say “you’re getting two years”.

We’re not going to agree here, but I stand by the statement that shipping out the 8 remaining players you mention wouldn’t add up to the 5/6 player we are short at the moment.

Did I even say just give them two years? Fair enough if you don’t agree but at least make your responses coherent with what I’ve said….

Also just for reference Barnsley, who have also previously tried to recruit talent from abroad, brought in Marcel Ritzmaier, Michael Sollbauer, Samuel Şahin-Radlinger a couple of years ago on 2 year contracts or less. So it clearly can be done.

If the club feel that they have no other option to offer outright 3 year contracts to players that few EFL sides would ever take a chance on then you’ve done nothing more than highlight a fundamental flaw within our recruitment process. Players like Hilssner should be chomping at the bit at the opportunity of joining a Championship club, even if it was just for a year or two.

In what universe would we need a further 5/6 players? We’re not trying to build an NFL team. We’d need no more than 3 to give us sufficient depth in the positions where we're light on numbers.

 

[Grendel]

I’ll agree with the point about putting player “prices” in the program notes. Amateur move.

There’s an earlier mention about Dion Dublin’s transfer earlier in this thread. There was a minimum release fee of 5 million or something iirc. This meant that any club offering 5 m plus could get to speak to him.

He (as Premier League top scorer and England squad player) was worth say, 8-10m easily.

By offering the club 5m or whatever, suitors for Dublin could offer big wages and sign on fee and still be getting good value. Eg. 8m player, 5 to club, 2 to DD, 1m extra on contract wages and the buying club still be able to justify to their owners that they were getting a good deal. Of course DD would take it.

Note to owners: if you need to put in a release clause to get a player to sign with us then make sure there’s a sell on clause, buy back or some mechanism for adjustment.

Dublin agreed to sign a new contract on the basis of that fee being there or was going to leave on a free. A bit like Big Dave (but less subtle) the board then made clubs - well 1 club - aware in tbe hope he’d go there

 

[Matty Godden’s Hair]

Hi @Sky Blue Pete, I would be interested to hear Boddy’s thoughts on the use of illegal streaming to watch Coventry games?

I see we now have representatives at these meetings yet this forum (particularly the creator of the forum) have promoted and encouraged the use of such sites to the detriment of the club.

Could we ask Boddy what measures the club can take to stop this? Also, can the creator of this forum apologise to the club and remove the aforementioned posts encouraging illegal streaming.

 

[AVWskyblue]

Hi @Sky Blue Pete, I would be interested to hear Boddy’s thoughts on the use of illegal streaming to watch Coventry games?

I see we now have representatives at these meetings yet this forum (particularly the creator of the forum) have promoted and encouraged the use of such sites to the detriment of the club.

Could we ask Boddy what measures the club can take to stop this? Also, can the creator of this forum apologise to the club and remove the aforementioned posts encouraging illegal streaming.

I've never seen Nick encourage anyone to use an illegal stream

Sent from my Alba7Nou using Tapatalk

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

Hi @Sky Blue Pete, I would be interested to hear Boddy’s thoughts on the use of illegal streaming to watch Coventry games?

I see we now have representatives at these meetings yet this forum (particularly the creator of the forum) have promoted and encouraged the use of such sites to the detriment of the club.

Could we ask Boddy what measures the club can take to stop this? Also, can the creator of this forum apologise to the club and remove the aforementioned posts encouraging illegal streaming.

What are you referring to? For away games??

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

I've never seen Nick encourage anyone to use an illegal stream

Sent from my Alba7Nou using Tapatalk

Not me

 

[Nick]

Hi @Sky Blue Pete, I would be interested to hear Boddy’s thoughts on the use of illegal streaming to watch Coventry games?

I see we now have representatives at these meetings yet this forum (particularly the creator of the forum) have promoted and encouraged the use of such sites to the detriment of the club.

Could we ask Boddy what measures the club can take to stop this? Also, can the creator of this forum apologise to the club and remove the aforementioned posts encouraging illegal streaming.

Oh another account.

Not sure what posts?

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

Oh another account.

Not sure what posts?

I’ve only ever see shmmee talk about foreign domains

If they aren’t home games I don’t think boddy would give a monkeys

 

[shmmeee]

I’ve only ever see shmmee talk about foreign domains

If they aren’t home games I don’t think boddy would give a monkeys

Oi don’t drag me into this! I tell off people who post dodgy links unless there’s no way to pay for it legally.

 

[chiefdave]

Paying for a steam as an overseas viewer while being in the UK is a grey area at best. I highly doubt the club would get anywhere with legal action. Sky have been trying to go after pubs for years and don't have a a great amount of luck.

The obvious answer is to have legal streams and create an additional revenue stream but the authorities seem to have a complete head in the sand attitude towards this and like every other part of the entertainment industry think if they ignore it everything will be fine.

 

[Sick Boy]

Paying for a steam as an overseas viewer while being in the UK is a grey area at best. I highly doubt the club would get anywhere with legal action. Sky have been trying to go after pubs for years and don't have a a great amount of luck.

The obvious answer is to have legal streams and create an additional revenue stream but the authorities seem to have a complete head in the sand attitude towards this and like every other part of the entertainment industry think if they ignore it everything will be fine.

If the EFL wanted to they could invest in ensuring that it’s much harder for those in the UK to use VPNs.
Using a premium VPN to access the BBC, Now TV etc is actually quite difficult outside of the UK now.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

Oi don’t drag me into this! I tell off people who post dodgy links unless there’s no way to pay for it legally.

Sorry that’s what I meant

 

[fernandopartridge]

If the EFL wanted to they could invest in ensuring that it’s much harder for those in the UK to use VPNs.
Using a premium VPN to access the BBC, Now TV etc is actually quite difficult outside of the UK now.

Ultimately the clubs aren't going to push that hard, they still get a decent bit of income without the costs associated with it. It just isn't something they'd actively market.