oldskyblue58
CCFC Finance Director
Did some digging just so we get some facts and this is what I have been able to find out
15th October 2005 an idea from the Sky Blue Trust for a "Joint Council" agreed with CCFC
It had the following structure
CCFC 2 places (inc 1 director)
SB Trust 2 places
Coventry City Supporters Club 1 place
Coventry City London Supporters Club 1 place
CCFC Fanzines/website 1 place
The Trust were to Chair the meetings
January 2006 Paul Fletcher renamed it as the Supporters Consultative Group, but group remained independent. The Group was expanded in order to cover a bigger demographic. It was at this point Mr Strange (CC London Supporters Club) Mr Ward (Corporate Premier Club) and others joined
It was later further expanded to include Mr Brown (Club Historian) and Mr Heffernan (Coventry City Irish Supporters Club) and others
Mr Fisher in his role as CCFC CEO sponsors the SCG (I take that to mean he ensures things like room hire etc are paid for by the club but it isn't clear what sponsors means). As I understand it Mr Fisher agreed the terms of reference with the SCG - the general rules under which the SCG operates, that state the number of members, the aims and right of appointing new members
Taken from the published minutes the recent attendees of the SCG are
Club
Tim Fisher (director OEG)
Mark Labovitch (director OEG)
Nick Connoll (CCFC media/website? )
Tynan Scope (commercial manager CCFC)
Lee Corden (Advent Communications/CCFC program)
Jim Brown (official Club statistician)
other
Jonathan Strange (ex of London Supporters Club now representing long distance supporters) Chairman
Peter Ward Vice Chairman
Elaine Ward minute secretary
The Sky Blue Trust ( 2 from Steve Brown, Jan Mokrzycki (and represents Polish CCFC fans), Moz Baker)
Ian Davidson (CCFC London Supporters Club/Sky Blue international)
CovSupportNews (either Steve Barnett and/or Kev Monks)
Ray Stephens (Diamond Club)
Pat Raybould (Junior Sky Blues)
Kevin Heffernan (Coventry City Supporters Irish Branch/Vice Presidents)
Pat Abel (Tickets for Schools)
Darren Davies (originally Block 15 (if I have that wrong I apologise) and "no one likes us,we don't care")
Andy Powell (25-35 demographic)
Chris McGrath (?)
Mark Sorbie (?) (*edit represents disabled supporters)
Ian Barnes (?)
Terms of reference say there are up to 15 members, new members being invited on the voluntary resignation of others
The purpose of the group is stated as
to act as a channel of communication and consultation between the Club and its supporters
to continually improve the overall emotion that is experienced as a supporter of Coventry City Football Club through collaborative discussion and exchange of ideas
to promote the Club’s engagement in the local and regional community
to seek ways to continually improve match day experience, including increasing attendance and enhancing stadium atmosphere
to continually improve the image of the Club and the sense of pride in supporting Coventry City Football Club
my own thoughts & questions on it.......
As I have said elsewhere if they are there representing no one but themselves then fair enough but say so. However if they claim to represent a particular group or type of fan how when and what is the means of communication to that fan group they claim input for? because without such communication then at best they represent only their own views for that fan grouping at worst it is just a meaningless title for self justification. Also there are other supporters clubs listed on the club website why are they not involved? Who represents the disabled fans?(*see above - Mark Sorbie)
Can it be a group that unites the fans? - I seriously doubt it because the last three meetings have been divisive not inclusive. Perhaps they will prove that wrong. Looking at the aims I am not sure how any of it is being achieved
Having researched all that then I still do not feel that I am particularly well represented by the SCG. Nor have I seen any achievements by the SCG as a body (yes individuals and groups in it have achieved eg Pat Raybould for the JSB's but that is not the SCG). I do not perceive them as an independent group even if they are, just because the CEO sponsors it does not mean everything has to be channelled through the club eg get own website. I am uncomfortable with the majority of time spent in berating or doubting its own members because the last thing we need now is more division. I do not doubt the good intentions of any of its members and I am grateful for the time they all put in but it just appears superficial to me. Just my opinions, happy to be proven wrong and no insult or slight intended.
15th October 2005 an idea from the Sky Blue Trust for a "Joint Council" agreed with CCFC
It had the following structure
CCFC 2 places (inc 1 director)
SB Trust 2 places
Coventry City Supporters Club 1 place
Coventry City London Supporters Club 1 place
CCFC Fanzines/website 1 place
The Trust were to Chair the meetings
January 2006 Paul Fletcher renamed it as the Supporters Consultative Group, but group remained independent. The Group was expanded in order to cover a bigger demographic. It was at this point Mr Strange (CC London Supporters Club) Mr Ward (Corporate Premier Club) and others joined
It was later further expanded to include Mr Brown (Club Historian) and Mr Heffernan (Coventry City Irish Supporters Club) and others
Mr Fisher in his role as CCFC CEO sponsors the SCG (I take that to mean he ensures things like room hire etc are paid for by the club but it isn't clear what sponsors means). As I understand it Mr Fisher agreed the terms of reference with the SCG - the general rules under which the SCG operates, that state the number of members, the aims and right of appointing new members
Taken from the published minutes the recent attendees of the SCG are
Club
Tim Fisher (director OEG)
Mark Labovitch (director OEG)
Nick Connoll (CCFC media/website? )
Tynan Scope (commercial manager CCFC)
Lee Corden (Advent Communications/CCFC program)
Jim Brown (official Club statistician)
other
Jonathan Strange (ex of London Supporters Club now representing long distance supporters) Chairman
Peter Ward Vice Chairman
Elaine Ward minute secretary
The Sky Blue Trust ( 2 from Steve Brown, Jan Mokrzycki (and represents Polish CCFC fans), Moz Baker)
Ian Davidson (CCFC London Supporters Club/Sky Blue international)
CovSupportNews (either Steve Barnett and/or Kev Monks)
Ray Stephens (Diamond Club)
Pat Raybould (Junior Sky Blues)
Kevin Heffernan (Coventry City Supporters Irish Branch/Vice Presidents)
Pat Abel (Tickets for Schools)
Darren Davies (originally Block 15 (if I have that wrong I apologise) and "no one likes us,we don't care")
Andy Powell (25-35 demographic)
Chris McGrath (?)
Mark Sorbie (?) (*edit represents disabled supporters)
Ian Barnes (?)
Terms of reference say there are up to 15 members, new members being invited on the voluntary resignation of others
The purpose of the group is stated as
to act as a channel of communication and consultation between the Club and its supporters
to continually improve the overall emotion that is experienced as a supporter of Coventry City Football Club through collaborative discussion and exchange of ideas
to promote the Club’s engagement in the local and regional community
to seek ways to continually improve match day experience, including increasing attendance and enhancing stadium atmosphere
to continually improve the image of the Club and the sense of pride in supporting Coventry City Football Club
my own thoughts & questions on it.......
As I have said elsewhere if they are there representing no one but themselves then fair enough but say so. However if they claim to represent a particular group or type of fan how when and what is the means of communication to that fan group they claim input for? because without such communication then at best they represent only their own views for that fan grouping at worst it is just a meaningless title for self justification. Also there are other supporters clubs listed on the club website why are they not involved? Who represents the disabled fans?(*see above - Mark Sorbie)
Can it be a group that unites the fans? - I seriously doubt it because the last three meetings have been divisive not inclusive. Perhaps they will prove that wrong. Looking at the aims I am not sure how any of it is being achieved
Having researched all that then I still do not feel that I am particularly well represented by the SCG. Nor have I seen any achievements by the SCG as a body (yes individuals and groups in it have achieved eg Pat Raybould for the JSB's but that is not the SCG). I do not perceive them as an independent group even if they are, just because the CEO sponsors it does not mean everything has to be channelled through the club eg get own website. I am uncomfortable with the majority of time spent in berating or doubting its own members because the last thing we need now is more division. I do not doubt the good intentions of any of its members and I am grateful for the time they all put in but it just appears superficial to me. Just my opinions, happy to be proven wrong and no insult or slight intended.
Last edited: