Trust statement regarding the AHC (16 Viewers)

[Captain Dart]

But why is the one year rolling contract suddenly such an issue? Why not at the time they went back or before?

Why are higgs trying to rush through wasps and the pool?

Don't be naive, surely it always was, no real commitment.

Don't dismiss the fact that the Higgs charity spent nearly £10M to build the facility, purposely designed to provide the cat 2 facilities and it costs significant money to run. You simply cannot run a business like that and rely on a partner like SISU.

It beggars belief that you expect everyone else to bend over backwards for SISU, of course they won't.

 

---

[Nick]

Why are we all bothering to try and proportion blame?
At this stage it does not matter who or why, lets just agree that we need to try and stop our Academy being taken away?

Exactly, hammer and question everybody. Pressure them all!

 

[Steve.B50]

We are not just going to do nothing, this needs to be challenged.
All we are seeking is unity and the fans getting behind the campaign rather than blaming others.

 

[oldskyblue58]

My personal take on it is

The Charity is making a clean break from dealing with everything related to CCFC. They have basically washed their hands of it but secured their assets. There is nothing that says they must help, support or back CCFC and from their perspective the involvement in the past has been an abrasive nightmare that they want rid of.

CCC have latched on to Wasps and are hoping it raises the City profile in a positive way. Whilst there are egos and personal antagonism involved most Council members have been persuaded by the financial case put to them , the ability to back that financially and the sense of partnership put forward by Wasps. All things lacking in the relationship with the owners of CCFC. Makes any progression forward for CCFC in relations with CCC very unlikely in the near future as both sides dig in. The finger pointing over the Academy and BPA will surely only get worse from both sides. The leverage CCFC has is no longer viewed by CCC as positive or indeed that great. Simply put they no longer actively look to encourage CCFC and look past the football club in making decisions for the City. Definitely not the way it should be

Coventry Sports Foundation and Coventry and Warwickshire Awards Trust. Close links to CCC and are promoting the City's health and well being via water sport facilities and rugby based projects. There does not seem to be any sense of partnership with CCFC or even SBITC. That lack of working together is not new, I feel, but when it comes to making the big decisions it does put CCFC at a disadvantage. From their point of view the new projects and developments are exciting and a progression. Trouble is it further nails a once great advert for sport, community, well being and Coventry

CCFC. I think the public statements about going their own way, not wanting to engage positively with CCC, the short termism and to a degree the arrogance of "we are CCFC" are coming back to bite. You simply can not leave everything to the last minute all the time. It takes two to partner and I sense no great effort from either side to form such a relationship over the last few years. There are a number of reasons from a CCFC side, I feel, why we are in this hole. (A) the fact that everything for the owner relates back to the investors and court cases so the owner takes up positions to back that not the club (B) that everything at the club is short term, last minute and under financed (C) the inability to form lasting relationships at the highest levels (D) a lack of clear plan, focus and club leadership (E) always someone else to blame. The Academy and a key element of the clubs future is at extreme risk and they have contributed to that. BUT it isn't all down to CCFC or SISU

Wasps. Going about their business, safe guarding and putting their business first. They do not need to do other than that and they are very focussed. It means that they do not see obstacles in their way because of the momentum they have, the relationships made and the partnerships they forge and to a degree lead. Looking to dominate the sporting community of Coventry, ruthless in exploiting its opportunities. No sense of partnership at all with CCFC

The Fans. Largely ambivalent, have had enough of the arguments and switch off when a new one appears. Caught in the middle and battered repeatedly they are a resource that has been abused by all sides and it shows.

That makes such sad and annoying reading. Could only be in Coventry

 

[skybluetony176]

We are not just going to do nothing, this needs to be challenged.
All we are seeking is unity and the fans getting behind the campaign rather than blaming others.

Have the Trust got anything in the pipeline yet Steve as to what you plan to do to fight this/raise awareness?

 

[Monners]

My personal take on it is

The Charity is making a clean break from dealing with everything related to CCFC. They have basically washed their hands of it but secured their assets. There is nothing that says they must help, support or back CCFC and from their perspective the involvement in the past has been an abrasive nightmare that they want rid of.

CCC have latched on to Wasps and are hoping it raises the City profile in a positive way. Whilst there are egos and personal antagonism involved most Council members have been persuaded by the financial case put to them , the ability to back that financially and the sense of partnership put forward by Wasps. All things lacking in the relationship with the owners of CCFC. Makes any progression forward for CCFC in relations with CCC very unlikely in the near future as both sides dig in. The finger pointing over the Academy and BPA will surely only get worse from both sides. The leverage CCFC has is no longer viewed by CCC as positive or indeed that great. Simply put they no longer actively look to encourage CCFC and look past the football club in making decisions for the City. Definitely not the way it should be

Coventry Sports Foundation and Coventry and Warwickshire Awards Trust. Close links to CCC and are promoting the City's health and well being via water sport facilities and rugby based projects. There does not seem to be any sense of partnership with CCFC or even SBITC. That lack of working together is not new, I feel, but when it comes to making the big decisions it does put CCFC at a disadvantage. From their point of view the new projects and developments are exciting and a progression. Trouble is it further nails a once great advert for sport, community, well being and Coventry

CCFC. I think the public statements about going their own way, not wanting to engage positively with CCC, the short termism and to a degree the arrogance of "we are CCFC" are coming back to bite. You simply can not leave everything to the last minute all the time. It takes two to partner and I sense no great effort from either side to form such a relationship over the last few years. There are a number of reasons from a CCFC side, I feel, why we are in this hole. (A) the fact that everything for the owner relates back to the investors and court cases so the owner takes up positions to back that not the club (B) that everything at the club is short term, last minute and under financed (C) the inability to form lasting relationships at the highest levels (D) a lack of clear plan, focus and club leadership (E) always someone else to blame. The Academy and a key element of the clubs future is at extreme risk and they have contributed to that. BUT it isn't all down to CCFC or SISU

Wasps. Going about their business, safe guarding and putting their business first. They do not need to do other than that and they are very focussed. It means that they do not see obstacles in their way because of the momentum they have, the relationships made and the partnerships they forge and to a degree lead. Looking to dominate the sporting community of Coventry, ruthless in exploiting its opportunities. No sense of partnership at all with CCFC

The Fans. Largely ambivalent, have had enough of the arguments and switch off when a new one appears. Caught in the middle and battered repeatedly they are a resource that has been abused by all sides and it shows.

That makes such sad and annoying reading. Could only be in Coventry

Indeed - sums up the whole sorry mess perfectly

 

[skyblueinBaku]

My personal take on it is

The Charity is making a clean break from dealing with everything related to CCFC. They have basically washed their hands of it but secured their assets. There is nothing that says they must help, support or back CCFC and from their perspective the involvement in the past has been an abrasive nightmare that they want rid of.

CCC have latched on to Wasps and are hoping it raises the City profile in a positive way. Whilst there are egos and personal antagonism involved most Council members have been persuaded by the financial case put to them , the ability to back that financially and the sense of partnership put forward by Wasps. All things lacking in the relationship with the owners of CCFC. Makes any progression forward for CCFC in relations with CCC very unlikely in the near future as both sides dig in. The finger pointing over the Academy and BPA will surely only get worse from both sides. The leverage CCFC has is no longer viewed by CCC as positive or indeed that great. Simply put they no longer actively look to encourage CCFC and look past the football club in making decisions for the City. Definitely not the way it should be

Coventry Sports Foundation and Coventry and Warwickshire Awards Trust. Close links to CCC and are promoting the City's health and well being via water sport facilities and rugby based projects. There does not seem to be any sense of partnership with CCFC or even SBITC. That lack of working together is not new, I feel, but when it comes to making the big decisions it does put CCFC at a disadvantage. From their point of view the new projects and developments are exciting and a progression. Trouble is it further nails a once great advert for sport, community, well being and Coventry

CCFC. I think the public statements about going their own way, not wanting to engage positively with CCC, the short termism and to a degree the arrogance of "we are CCFC" are coming back to bite. You simply can not leave everything to the last minute all the time. It takes two to partner and I sense no great effort from either side to form such a relationship over the last few years. There are a number of reasons from a CCFC side, I feel, why we are in this hole. (A) the fact that everything for the owner relates back to the investors and court cases so the owner takes up positions to back that not the club (B) that everything at the club is short term, last minute and under financed (C) the inability to form lasting relationships at the highest levels (D) a lack of clear plan, focus and club leadership (E) always someone else to blame. The Academy and a key element of the clubs future is at extreme risk and they have contributed to that. BUT it isn't all down to CCFC or SISU

Wasps. Going about their business, safe guarding and putting their business first. They do not need to do other than that and they are very focussed. It means that they do not see obstacles in their way because of the momentum they have, the relationships made and the partnerships they forge and to a degree lead. Looking to dominate the sporting community of Coventry, ruthless in exploiting its opportunities. No sense of partnership at all with CCFC

The Fans. Largely ambivalent, have had enough of the arguments and switch off when a new one appears. Caught in the middle and battered repeatedly they are a resource that has been abused by all sides and it shows.

That makes such sad and annoying reading. Could only be in Coventry

That seems to be a fair assessment of the current situation, OSB. Mighty depressing reading it makes, too.

 

[stupot07]

Why are we all bothering to try and proportion blame?
At this stage it does not matter who or why, lets just agree that we need to try and stop our Academy being taken away?

A 100% with you there Steve. People need to forget the blame game on this issue and get behind trying to stop the academy being kicked out. That means challenging all sides.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

 

[COVKIDSNEVERQUIT]

What's that got to do with the thread?

Under SISU my football club will become extinct, In my opinion .:banghead:

 

[Nick]

Under SISU my football club will become extinct, In my opinion .:banghead:

Still nothing to do with it, no facts or anything backing it up. Just random scare mongering

Every side related to the academy should be pressured about this

 

[Monners]

Under SISU my football club will become extinct, In my opinion .:banghead:

That is a possibility of course, but there is a key issue here focused on the Academy, and the SBT are looking to galvanise support for a common goal.

 

[chiefdave]

I don't have any interest in a swimming pool, as far as I'm concerned they can repurpose the main baths and not build anything to replace them.However it is nonsense of you to claim that costs to keep the old pool open would remain static for nearly 70 years, utter nonsense and you know it.

I wasn't doing a full financial analysis. Just saying its not a cut and dried financial argument. Based on the lifespan of the current pool we're looking at the next 50 years. I'm not sure over that length of time replacing the current pool with two new facilities is not going to cost more. A new pool will still have maintenance and running costs.
And the existing pool building is listed so limited in what can be done in terms of alternative uses. If the pool remained that would mean the council have a decent chunk of city centre land to sell.

Why are we all bothering to try and proportion blame?
At this stage it does not matter who or why, lets just agree that we need to try and stop our Academy being taken away?

Exactly. This is what drives me mad. We are in danger of losing our academy and people prefer to point fingers and refer back to comments made years ago. Anderson and CSF coming in means there are new people on both sides. The only thing that matters is what they are saying to each other and Anderson maintains he is asked for a longer lease and getting no response. If true we should all be united in our stance on this.

I feel that the needs of CCFC Academy are well down the list of priorities and will be subordinated to Wasps.

Wasps will be setting up close by to the Alan Higgs Centre and will have access to and use of its facilities

CSF latest accounts identify its latest project for the City called "Engage" and its based on Rugby

Wasps seem to be the priority on all fronts. When they first came here it was going to be a new state of the art facility with great community benefits, then it was we'll build it if someone else pays for it and now it looks like the Higgs meaning no new facility and the loss of our academy.
Its very disappointing to see people like CSF so actively promoting rugby and in particular Wasps over everyone else in the city.

 

[Grendel]

Don't be naive, surely it always was, no real commitment.

Don't dismiss the fact that the Higgs charity spent nearly £10M to build the facility, purposely designed to provide the cat 2 facilities and it costs significant money to run. You simply cannot run a business like that and rely on a partner like SISU.

It beggars belief that you expect everyone else to bend over backwards for SISU, of course they won't.

It beggars belief that you bend over backwards when a council says this project will break even because 50% more people will use the central facility which in turn will fund the projected losses this pool will make,

High fives in Council Hq - if it goes wrong lets just cut some other services.

Good one.

 

[chiefdave]

New piece up on the Observer. Some worrying quotes in there:

COVENTRY City boss Chris Anderson insists the future of the club’s crucial youth academy that produces young stars remains under threat as his requests for a lease extension have been ignored.

Mr Anderson told the Coventry Observer today there had been no approach to the club by CSF to indicate any change of position, and his repeated requests to open discussions for the club to remain at the centre had been ignored.

Commenting on Mr Breed’s remarks that it was “exploring options”, Mr Anderson said: “We were delighted that there might be a glimmer of hope. I subsequently wrote to Mr Breed not once, but twice, asking about terms under which the club’s Academy could continue renting the Higgs Centre facilities.

“We have been aware that they have had discussions with Wasps, but we are completely in the dark as to where those discussions are or what they will imply for our tenancy.

“In the meantime, I have yet to receive a reply. I don’t know why.”

“Let’s take a look at what is actually being communicated. Reading the statement carefully, Mr Breed essentially said that the club had decided to leave the Higgs Centre and the Coventry Sports Foundation therefore had no choice but to look for alternative uses. That is simply not true.

Instead, the football club wants to continue its tenancy at the Higgs Centre to house the club’s Academy and has been trying to discuss a long term tenancy for our Academy at the Higgs Centre beyond 2017.”

On previous discussions with CSF, he said: “I have consistently expressed our view to Mr Breed in person and over email since I first met him last year.

“By the way, Mr Breed has confirmed to me that he is not aware of any correspondence between the football club and the Higgs Trust or Coventry Sports Foundation (CSF) from before my time that we would want to vacate the Higgs Centre.

“In fact, discussions were held with CSF not too long ago about the idea of using the Academy as part of a long term vision for the centre – e.g., the use of the club’s sports science staff as part of the community benefit mission of the Higgs Centre. The recent and costly renovation of the 3G indoor pitch only made sense under the condition that the football club remain at the Higgs Centre for some time to come.

“The Academy is at the heart of our club. I have been deeply concerned privately and now publicly that CSF or the owners of the property have not invited us to have a more formal conversation about future plans for the Centre and our intentions to remain there. We have simply been ignored.

“You can perhaps now understand my confusion at Mr Breed characterising our vacating the Higgs Centre first as a kind of done deal, then saying ‘we are exploring options’ in a press statement, and then not answering my request for information.”

“It feels as though Coventry Sports Foundation is effectively ending Coventry City Football Club’s tenancy at the Higgs Centre unilaterally. This is something which I, the football club, our supporters, and I suspect the Coventry community at large, will find difficult to understand.

“I am not privy to all the political and legal manoeuvrings and can only speak for the football club. But when you take into account the broader context of what has happened to the stadium that was built for the football club, the recently unearthed email by a Council employee about the Butts Park Arena, and now the Academy training centre, as the person running the football club day to day, it does at times feel like there is no place for CCFC in Coventry.

 

[Covstu]

My personal take on it is

The Charity is making a clean break from dealing with everything related to CCFC. They have basically washed their hands of it but secured their assets. There is nothing that says they must help, support or back CCFC and from their perspective the involvement in the past has been an abrasive nightmare that they want rid of.

CCC have latched on to Wasps and are hoping it raises the City profile in a positive way. Whilst there are egos and personal antagonism involved most Council members have been persuaded by the financial case put to them , the ability to back that financially and the sense of partnership put forward by Wasps. All things lacking in the relationship with the owners of CCFC. Makes any progression forward for CCFC in relations with CCC very unlikely in the near future as both sides dig in. The finger pointing over the Academy and BPA will surely only get worse from both sides. The leverage CCFC has is no longer viewed by CCC as positive or indeed that great. Simply put they no longer actively look to encourage CCFC and look past the football club in making decisions for the City. Definitely not the way it should be

Coventry Sports Foundation and Coventry and Warwickshire Awards Trust. Close links to CCC and are promoting the City's health and well being via water sport facilities and rugby based projects. There does not seem to be any sense of partnership with CCFC or even SBITC. That lack of working together is not new, I feel, but when it comes to making the big decisions it does put CCFC at a disadvantage. From their point of view the new projects and developments are exciting and a progression. Trouble is it further nails a once great advert for sport, community, well being and Coventry

CCFC. I think the public statements about going their own way, not wanting to engage positively with CCC, the short termism and to a degree the arrogance of "we are CCFC" are coming back to bite. You simply can not leave everything to the last minute all the time. It takes two to partner and I sense no great effort from either side to form such a relationship over the last few years. There are a number of reasons from a CCFC side, I feel, why we are in this hole. (A) the fact that everything for the owner relates back to the investors and court cases so the owner takes up positions to back that not the club (B) that everything at the club is short term, last minute and under financed (C) the inability to form lasting relationships at the highest levels (D) a lack of clear plan, focus and club leadership (E) always someone else to blame. The Academy and a key element of the clubs future is at extreme risk and they have contributed to that. BUT it isn't all down to CCFC or SISU

Wasps. Going about their business, safe guarding and putting their business first. They do not need to do other than that and they are very focussed. It means that they do not see obstacles in their way because of the momentum they have, the relationships made and the partnerships they forge and to a degree lead. Looking to dominate the sporting community of Coventry, ruthless in exploiting its opportunities. No sense of partnership at all with CCFC

The Fans. Largely ambivalent, have had enough of the arguments and switch off when a new one appears. Caught in the middle and battered repeatedly they are a resource that has been abused by all sides and it shows.

That makes such sad and annoying reading. Could only be in Coventry

Sadly bang on, Wasps have grasped the nettle whilst our partnership approach has been non existent and damaged beyond repair. I as a fan am just sick of more and more bad news, the only positive spark that we have had over the years has been the academy system. This alone has provided a future but if we no longer have a cat 2 facility I cannot see how we can provide a stable future. Getting sick of it now.....

 

[oldskyblue58]

Wasps seem to be the priority on all fronts. When they first came here it was going to be a new state of the art facility with great community benefits, then it was we'll build it if someone else pays for it and now it looks like the Higgs meaning no new facility and the loss of our academy.
Its very disappointing to see people like CSF so actively promoting rugby and in particular Wasps over everyone else in the city.

I think you will find that the Higgs is still there and operating pretty much as before. It may have a swimming pool in due course. It will still be a community sports centre

Wasps will use and have access to certain parts but those parts will still have community use. That will include a kicking barn whatever that is

What will not be there if the swimming pool is taken forward (and I believe it will be) is a cat 2 CCFC academy

 

[chiefdave]

I think you will find that the Higgs is still there and operating pretty much as before. It may have a swimming pool in due course. It will still be a community sports centre

Wasps will use and have access to certain parts but those parts will still have community use. That will include a kicking barn whatever that is

What will not be there if the swimming pool is taken forward (and I believe it will be) is a cat 2 CCFC academy

Thats my point. Once again Wasps prioritised over CCFC.

And while the Higgs may still be there with Wasps next door thats a long way from a new state of the art facility for the benefit of the community.

 

[King of the Lesbians]

Are CSF newish? Don't think I've heard them mentioned on here before...

 

[chiefdave]

Are CSF newish? Don't think I've heard them mentioned on here before...

They took over the Higgs Centre in March. They are also heavily involved in Engage (a scheme to promote rugby) and the City of Rugby (a scheme to promote rugby).

 

[stupot07]

Are CSF newish? Don't think I've heard them mentioned on here before...

No, they have been in the city a fair while, just checked since 2000.


http://covsf.com/csf/about-us

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

 

[shelby76]

http://www.coventrywasps.com/

This is website is registered by Paul Armstrong wonder if he is related to David Armstrong ceo wasps? This is all wasps nothing to do with sisu issues,wasps are like the borg they are assimilating everything to do with ccfc, get rid of club then pic up fans a few years down the line pretty obvious they are stealing our city cut off lifeblood of the football club and watch it crumble taking the piss.

 

[Astute]

Thats my point. Once again Wasps prioritised over CCFC.

And while the Higgs may still be there with Wasps next door thats a long way from a new state of the art facility for the benefit of the community.

If only it was as simple as that.

As I said before and others have said since in this thread, especially OSB who went into much detail. SISU said they didn't want the Ricoh. It went to Wasps. SISU said that they didn't want to keep the place for the Academy as they were building their own place. So it looks like we have lost it. But some like to make out that we always said that we wanted to stay but are getting kicked out.

 

[Nick]

If only it was as simple as that.

As I said before and others have said since in this thread, especially OSB who went into much detail. SISU said they didn't want the Ricoh. It went to Wasps. SISU said that they didn't want to keep the place for the Academy as they were building their own place. So it looks like we have lost it. But some like to make out that we always said that we wanted to stay but are getting kicked out.

Have they handed the notice in to the Higgs then?

 

[chiefdave]

Anderson says he had talks with CSF about the academy staying long term. Are you saying that the club was deliberately misled and a decision to remove the required facilities had already been taken at that point?

 

[lifelongcityfan]

Have they handed the notice in to the Higgs then?

there is no notice to give, the lease ends when it ends. If Sisu said they were going to build there own ( remember the FA said they had enough money), then why wouldnt the higgs start to make preparations for the next lessor

 

[chiefdave]

there is no notice to give, the lease ends when it ends.

But it is usual for your landlord to let you know what is going on. My lease ended last month, my landlord wouldn't have been happy if I'd just packed my stuff up and moved out without telling him.

 

[Steve.B50]

Have the Trust got anything in the pipeline yet Steve as to what you plan to do to fight this/raise awareness?

We are working on a few things, but obviously we cannot say to much just yet.

 

[Nick]

We are working on a few things, but obviously we cannot say to much just yet.

Please tell me it doesnt include listening to wasps and being friendly with them after their rushed offer of help!

 

[Steve.B50]

Please tell me it doesnt include listening to wasps and being friendly with them after their rushed offer of help!

No Nick, don't worry that's not involved.

 

[SkyBlueZack]

If only it was as simple as that.

As I said before and others have said since in this thread, especially OSB who went into much detail. SISU said they didn't want the Ricoh. It went to Wasps. SISU said that they didn't want to keep the place for the Academy as they were building their own place. So it looks like we have lost it. But some like to make out that we always said that we wanted to stay but are getting kicked out.

And AL said ACL was washing it's face following advice from West/Reeves weren't it? Fact is, all sides have said stuff which has turned out to be incorrect. Let's just focus on trying to save the future of our football club and facilities for young lads wanting to make their way in the nation's favourite game.

 

[torchomatic]

If only it was as simple as that.

As I said before and others have said since in this thread, especially OSB who went into much detail. SISU said they didn't want the Ricoh. It went to Wasps. SISU said that they didn't want to keep the place for the Academy as they were building their own place. So it looks like we have lost it. But some like to make out that we always said that we wanted to stay but are getting kicked out.

That's right. You keep grinding away.

 

[letsallsingtogether]

I don't disagree with you, but what and how?

Any suggestions thrown up end up being a damp squib, bar a couple of half decent marches through the city. The rest either end up with bog all people doing them, or they end up stopped before they begin as everyone argues.

So... what and how?

And there you have it bog all people doing it........
We needs all our fans United stop all the political bollox and get behind any campaign that is organised.......
Fuck me if I am able to put it behind me for the good of CCFC so should others.

This is about CCFC not any other party let's all write to our local MP let's get the the local media to publicise our cause.
It is time to put up or shut up stop fucking moaning let's bury the hatchet and start fighting for our club. .
PUSB

 

[The Lurker]

Not good but let's be honest. Wasps are doing what sisu should have done years ago!

 

[Nick]

And there you have it bog all people doing it........
We needs all our fans United stop all the political bollox and get behind any campaign that is organised.......
Fuck me if I am able to put it behind me for the good of CCFC so should others.

This is about CCFC not any other party let's all write to our local MP let's get the the local media to publicise our cause.
It is time to put up or shut up stop fucking moaning let's bury the hatchet and start fighting for our club. .
PUSB

Totally agree, it's just about ccfc now, not the owners.

Even Tony is on it, it's all about ccfc here

 

[Broken Hearted Sky Blue]

Totally agree, it's just about ccfc now, not the owners.

Even Tony is on it, it's all about ccfc here

Totally agree, it's just about ccfc now, not the owners.

Even Tony is on it, it's all about ccfc here

Whatever you think Nick it has always been about CCFC,this is just the next chapter entitled "More than one enemy"