Colleen Fletcher MP to meet with EFL (14 Viewers)

[Gosford Green]

That's why it is strange they threw in the won't negotiate stuff when halfway through talks, understandable maybe before doing anything.

They probably thought SISU would stop the flogging the dead horse that is the JR part 1, then see reason in starting with Part 2 which involves Wasps.

 

---

[Nick]

SISU are known to be almost impossible to deal with, everything is hard ball.

CCC,
Alan Higgs Charity,
CSF
CET
Wasps

Falling out with 1 or 2 of the above is understandable but they manage it with just about everyone important to the clubs future.

Yet the list you gave are all linked.

Have there been issues with ticket master, just sport etc?

Don't doubt awkward, I also doubt it's one way.

 

[torchomatic]

SISU are known to be almost impossible to deal with, everything is hard ball.

CCC,
Alan Higgs Charity,
CSF
CET
Wasps

Falling out with 1 or 2 of the above is understandable but they manage it with just about everyone important to the clubs future.

Maybe so, but the biggest factor in all of this is CCC selling to Wasps. Fair enough CCC wouldn't deal with SISU - despite publicly saying they were going to build bridges - they sold to Wasps for 250 years. Game over. Everything else from the Academy to Ryton to Northampton pales into insignificance. There is no going back from that.

 

[Gosford Green]

Yet the list you gave are all linked.

Have there been issues with ticket master, just sport etc?

Conspiracy theorist alert. Buzz off Wasps agree there is something, your numbers are up to about 5 now.

Maybe it is just SISU mate. Its how they operate.

 

[Grendel]

They probably thought SISU would stop the flogging the dead horse that is the JR part 1, then see reason in starting with Part 2 which involves Wasps.

Or they just made it up and actually talks broke down over something entirely different.

 

[Gosford Green]

Maybe so, but the biggest factor in all of this is CCC selling to Wasps. Fair enough CCC would deal with SISU - despite publicly saying they were going to build bridges - they sold to Wasps for 250 years. Game over. Everything else from the Academy to Ryton to Northampton pales into insignificance. There is no going back from that.

CCC should never have sold it I agree, they are a council not a business and they acted in a way that JS would have been proud of. The club has to deal with how the situation is now. People onn here say that CCFC and SISU are different entities then if so CCFC has to be allowed to act as a football club and secure its place to play in the city it is named. SISU are currently stopping that.

 

[Gosford Green]

Or they just made it up and actually talks broke down over something entirely different.

I am sure that would have come out some way or another.

 

[Nick]

Conspiracy theorist alert. Buzz off Wasps agree there is something, your numbers are up to about 5 now.

Maybe it is just SISU mate. Its how they operate.

Why is it a conspiracy theorist alert? It is fact isn't it? They are all linked or have been in some way. The only one not as deep in is the telegraph but let's not pretend they don't have form.

The same as asking has there been issues with Ticketmaster, Just sport, allsop and allsop etc etc.

Amazing people shout conspiracy when you point out facts to them, rather than try and disprove.

 

[Nick]

I am sure that would have come out some way or another.

I think the Trust said it didn't they?

 

[chickentikkamasala]

Hang on a minute, why we banging on about the Ricoh? was it not Sisu who have publicly sated they are building us a new home? signed sealed and delivered within 3 years?

http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/new-coventry-city-stadium-would-6434865

http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/coventry-city-chairman-tim-fisher-11422382



Wasps- No involvement in building a new home
CCC- Again no involvement in a new home, the 'talks' are with Rugby Borough Council

http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/coventry-city-fc-stadium-plans-9186189

Of course that is if you believe anything CCFC/Sisu say

 

[Grendel]

I am sure that would have come out some way or another.

Why would it? No one - even Armstrong actually said it was an actual decisive factor. Anderson said it was never discussed. The reality is that wasps have in the past proved very selective with the truth.

Nothing has come out as to what was discussed has it?

 

[Grendel]

Hang on a minute, why we banging on about the Ricoh? was it not Sisu who have publicly sated they are building us a new home? signed sealed and delivered within 3 years?

http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/new-coventry-city-stadium-would-6434865

http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/coventry-city-chairman-tim-fisher-11422382



Wasps- No involvement in building a new home
CCC- Again no involvement in a new home, the 'talks' are with Rugby Borough Council

http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/coventry-city-fc-stadium-plans-9186189

Of course that is if you believe anything CCFC/Sisu say

Wasps were never moving from the south west area of London - strange I thought we were in the Midlands.

 

[Gosford Green]

If the legal action is dropped Wasps have the ball in their court. Wasps need friends not enemies up here and they also need a share in 30 lots of revenue each year that CCFC brings.
It would not be in their interest to make the football club homeless especially after they came to the table with an olive branch. Politicians and newspapers are fickle and they would soon turn around with the speed of a weasel in a barrel. CCFC could use this as a way of extracting a good deal.

Again the problem currently comes back to SISU, and we also need someone like Waggot for this to get off the ground.

 

[chiefdave]

1 - Can you offer assurances that the EFL will not, under any circumstances, allow Coventry City Football Club to relocate again, even on a temporary basis, away from the city of Coventry? If the EFL is unable to provide those assurances, can you outline under what circumstances you would allow the club to relocate away from its home city?

Somewhat ironic that she offered no resistance to Wasps moving but now expects the club to be prevented from moving, even on a temporary basis, under any circumstances. What happens if Wasps continue to refuse to talk, is her preference that the club ceases to exist?

2 - Have the owners of CCFC presented any tangible plans to the EFL which show they are in a position to resolve their long-term stadium needs satisfactorily prior to the end of the 2017/18 season?

The FL were shown around the Butts weren't they and were apparently happy with the plans. This is where CCC made a mistake in my opinion. In being seen to attempt to block a move it allows SISU to stall. They can now go to the FL and say you know we were trying to move to the Butts and here's evidence the council attempted to block it which has delayed our plans. People should always keep in mind the FL's priority is to have all teams play their fixtures, as a result they are likely to side with the club and make allowances to ensure that can happen.

3 - Would the EFL ever seek to force one its members into a resolution in terms of its long-term stadium needs? If so, what rules and sanctions are available to the EFL that would allow for the implementation of such enforcement action?

How can they do this? We all know there's a 10 year rule but we also know there's discretion. There is one FL standard stadium in Coventry. The owners of it are currently refusing to talk to CCFC. What does she propose if that continues.

4 - Have the EFL given CCFC’s owners a deadline by which they must find a long-term stadium solution? If so, when is that deadline and what action do the EFL plan to take should that deadline not be met? If not, do the EFL intend to impose such a deadline and at what stage in the process?

They won't give any deadline, they just asses every year at the FL meeting as to if all clubs can fulfil the forthcoming seasons fixtures.

5 - Has the EFL been asked to or have they offered to mediate in relation to any proposed negotiations surrounding a ground share agreement?

They have haven't they, or was that Sport England. Sure someone did.

6 - The EFL says it is in regular dialogue with the owners of CCFC regarding its long-term stadium needs. What role is the EFL currently playing in the process of finding a solution to this situation?

Odd question, can't see that the FL has any role in finding stadiums for clubs.

7 - Are you willing to mediate during any negotiations between Wasps and CCFC?

As above.

8 - What sanctions are likely to be applied if the club fails to find a long-term stadium solution in the Coventry area?

None. The FL don't want a court case and will put on any action as long as they possibly can. There is precedent for teams playing outside their area. This will only become an issue if there is no suitable groundshare. You only have to look to last time. There was supposed to be rules about how far away we could go and then when there wasn't a stadium that would have us it was suddenly extended to one that would.

Welcome any questioning but it would be better if questions were asked that didn't have obvious answers and couldn't be so easily deflected.

Would also like to see similar questions of others, is she asking CCC what they are doing to resolve this and about the claim that assurances had been made by Wasps that there would be no negative impact on CCFC. Similar is she pressuring Wasps to reopen talks?

Or is this just a list of questions supplied by the Telegraph that she thinks will make her look good?

 

[torchomatic]

...then if so CCFC has to be allowed to act as a football club and secure its place to play in the city it is named. SISU are currently stopping that.

Which goes back to CCC selling to Wasps. They didn't need to as we all know SISU aren't going to be here forever. It's ironic really that this one decision by CCC has ultimately led to SISU clinging on and us talking of losing the Academy, a place to play and a place to train.

Remember Lucas' words about only agreeing to the deal as she'd been assured Wasps coming to Coventry wouldn't impact CCFC or CRFC.

Give me your thoughts on that. Was she right?

 

[Gosford Green]

Of course that is if you believe anything CCFC/Sisu say [/QUOTE]

Which goes back to CCC selling to Wasps. They didn't need to as we all know SISU aren't going to be here forever. It's ironic really that one decision by CCC has ultimately led to SISU clinging on and us talking of losing the Academy, a place to play and a place to train.

But it was empty, not just the stadium loosing revenue but the whole of the north Coventry area. Tim Fisher announced the ship had sailed and they had moved on, the club was building its own stadium and academy. All CCC did was find someone that wanted it, sadly.

 

[chickentikkamasala]

Wasps were never moving from the south west area of London - strange I thought we were in the Midlands.

As always, you miss the point

I am not interested in Wasps, they have their 200 year + lease, we have nothing.

So OK, you state Wasps will not negotiate with CCFC, CCC will not negotiate with CCFC.

What questions are you asking our beloved football club CCFC and SISU? what are their plans? get over your grudge with the council and any given opportunity to pin the blame. Each party has to take some responsibility for the blame game.

SISU have continually moved the goalposts to where they are taking CCFC forwards. Only SISU can answer the questions, not Wasps or even CCC. There a number on here who never question the people who actually control and own us, if SISU are ever brought into question the usual replies come back with diversions back to CCC and Wasps, the poster will always be replied with a question. You know who you all are its almost like click bait to keep the debate which sits in the heart of so many on here a continual process.

 

[torchomatic]

Of course that is if you believe anything CCFC/Sisu say

But it was empty, not just the stadium loosing revenue but the whole of the north Coventry area. Tim Fisher announced the ship had sailed and they had moved on, the club was building its own stadium and academy. All CCC did was find someone that wanted it, sadly.[/QUOTE]

But we came back and it was at THAT point CCC said that bridges needed to be built before talking about ownership. At THAT point. So publicly they were willing to deal it seems, but privately they had already agreed terms with Wasps. We were finally back, don't you think if CCC had just held fire and actually THOUGHT about the future of the football club. Were any of them intelligent enough to think, shall we hold on to it for a couple of years or shall we let a franchise team with ZERO historical ties have this asset for 250 years? They did it out of spite and when they spited SISU they spited all of us. Forever. The club will never recover.

 

[torchomatic]

http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/council-chief-need-time-rebuild-7651892

 

[idm1975]

There are some sensible comments above regarding the difficulties that the EFL have in this situation, but this does expose a bigger issue.

There is a very valid way of looking at our position that says that SISU have effectively "made themselves" (that's us, by the way) homeless, by the appalling way that they have managed negotiations over a number of years.

If in that situation the EFL says - Oh well, we have to let them move out of their city", then when a club owner wants to move a club, it'd be pretty simple to manufacture a situation that looks pretty similar, then point to the SISU precedent, threaten the EFL with legal action and move the club.

Hey presto - franchise football is now firmly established.

So can the EFL afford to sit back and take a laissez faire position?

Nick, you seem to want to rubbish anything anyone does or tries. Do you know the whole ins and outs of this sorry mess? If you do why dont you let us all know if not why poo poo anything anyone does?

 

[chiefdave]

But it was empty, not just the stadium loosing revenue but the whole of the north Coventry area. Tim Fisher announced the ship had sailed and they had moved on, the club was building its own stadium and academy. All CCC did was find someone that wanted it, sadly.

At the point at which ACL was sold to Wasps it wasn't empty. We were back playing there and the council were, publically at least, talking of rebuilding the relationship.

 

[Gosford Green]

Which goes back to CCC selling to Wasps. They didn't need to as we all know SISU aren't going to be here forever. It's ironic really that this one decision by CCC has ultimately led to SISU clinging on and us talking of losing the Academy, a place to play and a place to train.

Remember Lucas' words about only agreeing to the deal as she'd been assured Wasps coming to Coventry wouldn't impact CCFC or CRFC.

Give me your thoughts on that. Was she right?

A politician spouts off spin to the press. Shock.
You and a select few need to move on from council hating, they have nothing to do with the current issue which is Wasps and CCFC.
The silence from CCFC is deafening at the moment, given the perilous state the club is in off and on the pitch they should be at least making the odd statement, if people believe a word of it is another matter.

 

[Nick]

Nick, you seem to want to rubbish anything anyone does or tries. Do you know the whole ins and outs of this sorry mess? If you do why dont you let us all know if not why poo poo anything anyone does?

Do you think she is going to get answers? I think Dave has summed up what she is going to get back.

I am going to have a SISU out protest at lunchtime by eating a sandwich, I hope I get some pats on the back for it.

 

[Gosford Green]

At the point at which ACL was sold to Wasps it wasn't empty. We were back playing there and the council were, publically at least, talking of rebuilding the relationship.

The deal had been done a few months before. I revert back to what our chief executive was telling the press almost daily during the Sixfields period, even on the day we returned he said the club still intended to build its own stadium. Pick out the facts at your leisure but that one probably trumps the lot.
SISU a hard nosed US hedge fund out maneuvered by a left wing council in England? Sadly, as unbelievable as it sounds it's true.

 

[rupert_bear]

Do you think she is going to get answers? QUOTE]
I think she will get answers yes. I think slowly bit by bit this whole affairs is reaching some sort of climax. And the loaded questions whether they get a yes or no give answers

 

[dongonzalos]

It isn't any more publicity than any of the saga has got so far. Do you think anybody outside of Coventry cares?

It is more publicity, I am not going to sit in my arm chair and criticise any efforts. As long as they are not violent or sbusive.
I think SISU care.

 

[dongonzalos]

The pressure for what though and publicity for who?

Pressuring the FL and CCFC to do a deal at the Ricoh? Strange there is no pressure at all on the landlords to do a deal with CCFC, the ones who said they halted negotiations?

Imagine if the councillor managed to get the FL to say that CCFC had to stay at the Ricoh or be kicked out of the league, just add a few zeros onto the rent again and sit back laughing.

Pressure on SISU to run the football club professionally
Pressure on the FL to have a backbone.
Neither organisation will like any publicity that doesn't show them in a positive light.
As I say I will applaud any attempts to highlight our situation and cause.
I will not chip away negatively from my arm chair. Unless the attempt is abusive or violent

 

[italiahorse]

I think you need to step back and think before you type.

It appears to me Nick was suggesting he felt the questions would be futile, and would lead to nothing. That's his opinion, nothing else. Stop getting frothy mouthed, as it isn't a prerequisite on any post on this site that you have to rant about the mismanagement of the club, everyone knows about that, but apparently it doesn't stop you demanding it on a continual basis.

Get back in your motor home, relax and turn off the wifi for a bit.

No, he changed it round to question Wasps so its deflecting the issue. I would even question why he doesn't want Sisu to be asked question.
Why would Wasps complete a deal when they will be in court in a few months questioning Wasps/CCC deal at the stadium.
Sometimes people need to step back and see what the actual problem is here !!
If the EFL had any guts they would force the club to follow the rules.

Ahem. Its a VW campervan not a motorhome. Old people have motorhomes

 

[torchomatic]

A politician spouts off spin to the press. Shock.
You and a select few need to move on from council hating, they have nothing to do with the current issue which is Wasps and CCFC.
The silence from CCFC is deafening at the moment, given the perilous state the club is in off and on the pitch they should be at least making the odd statement, if people believe a word of it is another matter.

Funny, isn't it. We will never have the Ricoh because of CCC and you ask me to stop hating them for it. No.

 

[Nick]

No, he changed it round to question Wasps so its deflecting the issue. I would even question why he doesn't want Sisu to be asked question.
Why would Wasps complete a deal when they will be in court in a few months questioning Wasps/CCC deal at the stadium.
Sometimes people need to step back and see what the actual problem is here !!
If the EFL had any guts they would force the club to follow the rules.

Ahem. Its a VW campervan not a motorhome. Old people have motorhomes

I turned it round to pressure Wasps and CCFC about doing the deal if you read what I said..

I would ask the question why nobody wants anybody else other than CCFC or SISU to be pressured or asked questions

 

[torchomatic]

If the EFL had any guts they would force the club to follow the rules.

Could you explicitly enlighten me on what you mean by this? What rules aren't being followed by CCFC?

 

[italiahorse]

Maybe so, but the biggest factor in all of this is CCC selling to Wasps. Fair enough CCC wouldn't deal with SISU - despite publicly saying they were going to build bridges - they sold to Wasps for 250 years. Game over. Everything else from the Academy to Ryton to Northampton pales into insignificance. There is no going back from that.

Did Sisu ever want the Ricoh encumbered ?
They said they didn't and then when Wasps bought it they said they wouldn't have paid what Wasps paid for it.
Why couldn't they have just negotiated properly? Why couldn't they just have paid a token rent they could afford rather than move to Northampton ?
CCC had a way out of the Sisu strangle hold and wisely took it.

 

[Gosford Green]

I would ask the question why nobody wants anybody else other than CCFC or SISU to be pressured or asked questions [/QUOTE]

Currently the log jam is given as the court action, once that is out the way / dropped the process can resume and pressure and accountability can then be applied where appropriate.

 

[Nick]

Did Sisu ever want the Ricoh encumbered ?
They said they didn't and then when Wasps bought it they said they wouldn't have paid what Wasps paid for it.
Why couldn't they have just negotiated properly? Why couldn't they just have paid a token rent they could afford rather than move to Northampton ?
CCC had a way out of the Sisu strangle hold and wisely took it.

What token rent? The council said themselves there would be no lower rent.

 

[Nick]

Currently the log jam is given as the court action, once that is out the way / dropped the process can resume and pressure and accountability can then be applied where appropriate.

Have wasps even been asked the question why they cant talk?