Mediation talks underway (1 Viewer)

fernandopartridge said:

They bailed nobody out. They wanted the stadium built as much as anybody to realise their own regeneration objectives.

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Which they failed to do over THIRTY YEARS of trying.

Sky Blue Pete said:

I think that's correct about it not being in the best interests of ccfc

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shmmeee said:

Sorry, your post was a jumping point, not on at you in particular.

FWIW, my own view is that I don't know.

I don't know what the financial viablilty of the Ricoh or the club are. I'm not a stadium management company and I don't run a hedge fund. I'm a CCFC fan and I want us on an even keel. If the people that are in the know (the owners) say that we can't make the Ricoh work, then let's find somewhere else. If the owners of the Ricoh can't offer us a deal that works then let's look somewhere else.

Yet there seems to be this bitterness towards Wasps because "they took our stadium", yet at the same time a belief that the stadium was the cause of all our ills. (FWIW, I don't think your view on the inception of the Ricoh is quite right, but that's another discussion). Similarly there's a belief that CCC want to destroy the club, yet a wish for the Council to do "another Ricoh" with the Butts or somewhere else.

Rather than getting all emotional, I just wish people would realise that different organisations have different priorities and responsibilities and the only people legally and morally who have a duty of care to CCFC are it's fans and it's owners. CCC's repsonsibility is to the tax payers of Coventry and the cold hard truth is that while a successful club is a nice thing to have, it's not their core business.

Pete is also right on a personal level that CCC is mostly made up of lifelong CCFC fans, and not in fact cartoon villians.

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That's a good post shmmeee.

Personally I'm not asking for the Council to do another Ricoh in terms of putting public money in, I'm just asking them to support us finding somewhere else within the city given that the Ricoh is looking less and less like an option. At the moment everything the council does appears to be antagonistic towards the club (e.g. attempting to completely block the possiblity of playing at the Butts).

As to the other stuff, if having CCFC in the city isn't that important to the council, then why was it so important to have Wasps here? Whatever money Wasps brings into the city would be dwarfed by a successful football team.

I absolutely agree that most councillors and officers aren't cartoon villains (with the possible exception of Maton, who if not a villain is at least a bit of a clown). However I believe I can make a pretty fair case that as a corporate body they've made statements and decisions that vary between wildly hypocritical, plain dumb, and flat-out lies.

How easily forgotten is the supposed red-line issue that every councillor signed up to, that selling to Wasps would not harm CCFC?

As for Wasps themselves, my bitterness towards them is primarily that they're a franchise and I can't tolerate that. Next to that is the fact that not only have they got the stadium, which I can't begrudge them buying at the price offered, but that they've also taken our Academy - which I don't believe they really needed to do. Then on top you've got the bullshit about damaging the pitch. Other than that, they're a great team with a genuinely decent bloke as a coach, and the way they market and sell their product is an object lesson to our owners.

shmmeee said:

Sorry, your post was a jumping point, not on at you in particular.

FWIW, my own view is that I don't know.

I don't know what the financial viablilty of the Ricoh or the club are. I'm not a stadium management company and I don't run a hedge fund. I'm a CCFC fan and I want us on an even keel. If the people that are in the know (the owners) say that we can't make the Ricoh work, then let's find somewhere else. If the owners of the Ricoh can't offer us a deal that works then let's look somewhere else.

Yet there seems to be this bitterness towards Wasps because "they took our stadium", yet at the same time a belief that the stadium was the cause of all our ills. (FWIW, I don't think your view on the inception of the Ricoh is quite right, but that's another discussion). Similarly there's a belief that CCC want to destroy the club, yet a wish for the Council to do "another Ricoh" with the Butts or somewhere else.

Rather than getting all emotional, I just wish people would realise that different organisations have different priorities and responsibilities and the only people legally and morally who have a duty of care to CCFC are it's fans and it's owners. CCC's repsonsibility is to the tax payers of Coventry and the cold hard truth is that while a successful club is a nice thing to have, it's not their core business.

Pete is also right on a personal level that CCC is mostly made up of lifelong CCFC fans, and not in fact cartoon villians.

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Great post. Most understand that a lot of people in the council are Cov fans.
We are one section of council business. Decisions are made by the council for what is best for the city as a whole.
Unfortunately that is exactly the same with SISU. Decisions are made on what is best for SISU as a business not CCFC as a football club.
A high court judge confirmed that ACL was getting depreciated and some on here wanted it put out of business.
The council have since made decisions that have upset us Cov fans but are in their eyes the best for the city itself and whole population. Which is their job.
It seems they have decided due to past and current experiences they can't deal with SISU.
The painful bit for us is it seems we are stuck with SISU.
If you are rational you can see the council logic.
Just like if you are rational you can see SISU's logic. The decisions don't make sense to us as Cov fans, they make sense to SISU on how it affects their overall business.

CCC playing right into SISU's hands.

COVENTRY City Council leader George Duggins has indicated the council will NOT be taking part in new mediation talks involving MPs aimed at resolving the long-running Sky Blues dispute and keeping the club in Coventry.

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council scum dont want ccfc to prosper

chiefdave said:

CCC playing right into SISU's hands.

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Pretty much

BREAKING: Coventry council NOT taking part in MPs’ mediation talks to resolve Coventry City dispute

However, the Council does not have any influence over where the Club plays or the location of its training academy/training facility. These are matters for the Football Club to raise with the relevant parties.

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He has indicated before they have hasn't he?

chiefdave said:

CCC playing right into SISU's hands.

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Must be as he always has stated.
Drop the legal action and payback costs first.
Wasps will take that same stance.
So looks like we either drop the legal action or play in another town.

dongonzalos said:

Must be as he always has stated.
Drop the legal action and payback costs first.
Wasps will take that same stance.
So looks like we either drop the legal action or play in another town.

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Blackmail then?

I bet the letter to the FL is in the post as we speak showing them how there's no choice

Nick said:

He has indicated before they have hasn't he?

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Yep, back in September. Said if SISU paid the council £325 it could help.

Now, council leader George Duggins has told the Telegraph club owners Sisu must pay the local authority the money before it will offer assistance with issues such as extending CCFC’s stay at the Ricoh Arena or securing the future of the Sky Blues’ under-threat Academy.

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chiefdave said:

Yep, back in September. Said if SISU paid the council £325 it could help.

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Very strange, he needs to make up his mind I think.

dongonzalos said:

Must be as he always has stated.
Drop the legal action and payback costs first.
Wasps will take that same stance.
So looks like we either drop the legal action or play in another town.

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I thought the mediation was for all sides to talk and reach some sort of peace?

oldfiver said:

I thought the mediation was for all sides to talk and reach some sort of peace?

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You would have thought so. What use is we won't go to mediation unless you agree to our terms before we start!

chiefdave said:

You would have thought so. What use is we won't go to mediation unless you agree to our terms before we start!

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Because we have an arrogant Council? Been around so long they think they can do anything they want?

oldfiver said:

I thought the mediation was for all sides to talk and reach some sort of peace?

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CCC and Wasps have always said they won't take part in any talks unless the legal action is dropped.
Jon Sharpe has always said he won't deal with SISU and nothing will happen unless all sides are talking and peace breaks out.

Nick said:

Blackmail then?

I bet the letter to the FL is in the post as we speak showing them how there's no choice

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Yep same status as they have always had drop the legal action pay costs and we will talk.
SISU won't drop the legal action.
So yes we will be in front of a 1000 elsewhere.
As pointed out by many possibly even yourself on here. The FL would allow it whether SISU are genuinely forced out (this time) as much as they did when they were not forced out (last time)

oldfiver said:

Because we have an arrogant Council? Been around so long they think they can do anything they want?

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Yes they do seem capable of fighting their own corner alright, when under attack.

dongonzalos said:

Yes they do seem capable of fighting their own corner alright, when under attack.

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Coventry Council pays out to housing firm Open Doors - BBC News

Simple question, what specific things are being disputed in this "multi party dispute" we are told exists and by who?

Because unless you know exactly what the dispute is what can be mediated

duffer said:

That's a good post shmmeee.

Personally I'm not asking for the Council to do another Ricoh in terms of putting public money in, I'm just asking them to support us finding somewhere else within the city given that the Ricoh is looking less and less like an option. At the moment everything the council does appears to be antagonistic towards the club (e.g. attempting to completely block the possiblity of playing at the Butts).

As to the other stuff, if having CCFC in the city isn't that important to the council, then why was it so important to have Wasps here? Whatever money Wasps brings into the city would be dwarfed by a successful football team.

I absolutely agree that most councillors and officers aren't cartoon villains (with the possible exception of Maton, who if not a villain is at least a bit of a clown). However I believe I can make a pretty fair case that as a corporate body they've made statements and decisions that vary between wildly hypocritical, plain dumb, and flat-out lies.

How easily forgotten is the supposed red-line issue that every councillor signed up to, that selling to Wasps would not harm CCFC?

As for Wasps themselves, my bitterness towards them is primarily that they're a franchise and I can't tolerate that. Next to that is the fact that not only have they got the stadium, which I can't begrudge them buying at the price offered, but that they've also taken our Academy - which I don't believe they really needed to do. Then on top you've got the bullshit about damaging the pitch. Other than that, they're a great team with a genuinely decent bloke as a coach, and the way they market and sell their product is an object lesson to our owners.

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They need wasps to succeed at all costs purely to justify the crass decision they made by giving them the stadium.
If they fail the council will look bigger cunits than they already do.

dongonzalos said:

CCC and Wasps have always said they won't take part in any talks unless the legal action is dropped.
Jon Sharpe has always said he won't deal with SISU and nothing will happen unless all sides are talking and peace breaks out.

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So at a stand off unless you want more legals? Why wont CCC join in discussions?
Sharp is not talking to SISU - some people here know what he is saying

When is jr2 anyway ?

hutch1972 said:

When is jr2 anyway ?

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Probably 10 minutes after Duggins confirms he will not negotiate

When the sale was initially voted through , there must have been some councillors who were in 2 minds.
I presume that self preservation kicked in with some. What we could do with is some of them to stand up and take on the bully boys and girls who have been running this council for decades.

hutch1972 said:

When the sale was initially voted through , there must have been some councillors who were in 2 minds.

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What has always appeared odd to me was that going in to the meeting it was said to be very close. Then there was a meeting, with Wasps in attendance, at which no minutes or record of any sort was kept. After that it was suddenly a unanimous vote. What the hell happened in that meeting?

chiefdave said:

What has always appeared odd to me was that going in to the meeting it was said to be very close. Then there was a meeting, with Wasps in attendance, at which no minutes or record of any sort was kept. After that it was suddenly a unanimous vote. What the hell happened in that meeting?

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Same as the Trust ones where they go in angry at Wasps and come out shouting SISU and nobody knows.

chiefdave said:

What has always appeared odd to me was that going in to the meeting it was said to be very close. Then there was a meeting, with Wasps in attendance, at which no minutes or record of any sort was kept. After that it was suddenly a unanimous vote. What the hell happened in that meeting?

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Who said it was very close Chief?

olderskyblue said:

Who said it was very close Chief?

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Pretty much all the local media were reporting it to be a very close vote. Certainly the CT and CWR.

chiefdave said:

Pretty much all the local media were reporting it to be a very close vote. Certainly the CT and CWR.

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Well, they were either wrong, or the "Councillors will not be given a free vote and will vote in accordance with their party" had an effect?

or this?

"Rumours former Coventry City chairman Ray Ranson had been involved in the Wasps takeover bid are understood to have been dismissed by council officers during last night's late-night briefing"

olderskyblue said:

Well, they were either wrong, or the "Councillors will not be given a free vote and will vote in accordance with their party" had an effect?

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It was supposed to be a free vote who knows.

chiefdave said:

What has always appeared odd to me was that going in to the meeting it was said to be very close. Then there was a meeting, with Wasps in attendance, at which no minutes or record of any sort was kept. After that it was suddenly a unanimous vote. What the hell happened in that meeting?

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I can only think that the conditions regarding ccfc etc were put to wasps , which they duly agreed to.
The conditions they have since totally disregarded.

Coventry City have already taken part in preliminary discussions and have set a three-point remit in notifying the MP they are calling for “active not passive support from Coventry City Council” regarding…

• “Putting Coventry City front and centre-stage in the community.”
• A future stadium solution for the football club, with the club’s preferred option remaining a return to an inner-city home at an expanded Butts Park Arena, groundsharing with Coventry rugby club in a stadium of potentially 15,000 to 25,000 capacity.
• A future home for the club’s ‘lifeblood’ youth academy, with one potential aim of relocating it next to a new training facility.

It is understood the Football League, Coventry City Council, and the football club’s parent company Sisu have agreed to take part in the process.


Can someone please clear this up for me.
What do CCFC have to enter mediation talks with CCC for?
Yes I know there is a legal dispute with CCC about the Ricoh, but that's got nothing to do with CCFC now saying they want to ground share at the BPA.

If CCFC put something forward in relation to development at the BPA and CCC refused, then that might lead to the need for mediation, but there are no concrete plans or planning applications to consider or refuse.

CCFC say they want to groundshare at the BPA and not the Ricoh anymore, so we don't need to mediate with Wasps/CCC about that either do we?

No concrete plans in place regarding the Academy as yet but only confirmation that talks are ongoing and with much work to do apparently, but again no current need for mediation.
If the Academy plans were refused by CCC then again this might lead to the need for mediation, but we are not at that stage yet so why do we need to enter mediation talks?

Can anyone clear this up?

I was eleven in 87 said:

Yes I know there is a legal dispute with CCC about the Ricoh, but that's got nothing to do with CCFC now saying they want to ground share at the BPA.

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Nonsense the club are joint claimants. The club, Otium Entertainment Ltd, trading as Coventry City Football Club are named in the legal documents.

I was eleven in 87 said:

Can anyone clear this up?

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Yes, you are totally wrong.

Captain Dart said:

Nonsense the club are joint claimants. The club, Otium Entertainment Ltd, trading as Coventry City Football Club are named in the legal documents.


Yes, you are totally wrong.

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Yes I know they are but that's in relation to JR2, my point is that CCFC say they don't want to stay at the Ricoh anymore and want to play at the BPA. Fair enough, but what's gone wrong with that so far? Nothing as nothing has been proposed to the council to refuse yet, so what's to mediate about?

I was eleven in 87 said:

Yes I know they are but that's in relation to JR2, my point is that CCFC say they don't want to stay at the Ricoh anymore and want to play at the BPA. Fair enough, but what's gone wrong with that so far? Nothing as nothing has been proposed to the council to refuse yet, so what's to mediate about?

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Fisher says lots of things, I don't believe any of it. The only actions definitely ongoing is JR2 & selling Ryton.