Save Our City Changes (8 Viewers)

[ashbyjan]

Following last nights meeting where it was decided to change the groups direction from a fans representative body to simply a SISU-out body two of us have resigned as this is not what we wanted from the group. By way of explanation I post our two resignation letters.

Morning Gents

After sleeping on it I am tendering my resignation from the committee. I feel that the direction the group wishes to go in is not one I can support 100%. Much as I want rid of these current owners I want an alternative to back not promises. I wanted to create a representative body for the fans, irrespective of who the clubs owners were and could hold those owners to account. I was shocked to be told that Hoffman and Elliott would refuse to deal with any fans body that has dared to talk to the current owners but from the sound of it they actually have no interest in fan representation anyway – doesn’t bode well for the future, but that’s just my opinion. I hope your faith is repaid and that something positive happens but I wanted something bigger than just SISU-out, obviously I was mistaken but I guess you live and learn. I hope that Hoffman comes through with his promises and gets SISU out sooner rather than later but I am not prepared to blindly follow anyone on the strength of promises and rhetoric. I admire your faith but I am afraid I am to old and sceptical to believe every word I am told.

I have no intention of starting any splinter group etc and cause any mixed messages to the fans who according to the meeting to just want SISU-out or SISU-in message, so please feel free to carry on using the groups name etc and if you want the access codes to the web site I can let whoever wants them have them. I will cut off all communication with Fisher etc so that I don’t get accused of being any sort of traitor in the future, even if all I was trying to do was for the best of all Cov fans not just Gary Hoffman and leave the field open to you all.

I wish you all the best for the future and hope that your faith is repaid in the long term and as well as the short.
Regards
Jan

Second Resignation

Morning Gents,

I would like to politely tender my resignation from the committee. I do not intend to cover old ground or cause debate but the direction of the group goes against my personal and professional principles and integrity. I did not tender this at the meeting last night as I wanted time to sleep on it and also did not want to detract from the group discussions any further.

I have absolutely no intention of forming a splinter group or being any form of anti SOC but at the same time I cannot be part of something I personally feel to be short-sighted and naive. I am not willing to pin my hopes on any single takeover whoever it may be and I feel it somewhat irresponsible to do so without any clear plan or structure to hold any owner whether current or future accountable from day one, instead crossing my fingers and hoping for the best which is how I now perceive the direction to be.

I hope you all the very best in what you do and still intend to be present at general SOC meeting as I do truly believe that different opinions are healthy, I just feel that my personal and professional principles differ so greatly to that of the group direction that I would not be best served as a committee member.

It genuinely has been great meeting and speaking with you all, after all we all share the one true passion 'CCFC'

 

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[ccfcway]

More board room changes

Can I confirm that is now 3 resignations from 3 meetings. More in common with SISU than you think !

 

[ccfcway]

So, to confirm, the committee set up to stop our club becoming a laughing stock, as itself become a laughing stock ?

 

[I'mARealWizard]

I was shocked to be told that Hoffman and Elliott would refuse to deal with any fans body that has dared to talk to the current owners but from the sound of it they actually have no interest in fan representation anyway – doesn’t bode well for the future.

.........

 

[LastGarrison]

I stopped reading at "tendering my resignation.....".

FFS

 

[Nathccfc]

.........

Doesn't look good really :| really trying to hold onto some hope, but that's fading.

 

[Grendel]

So out with old and in with the new which as some suspected will be the same as the old.
Ranson no doubt will be back and mr Coventry will be at his side. Old Ken is buying his air tickets as we speak. Still sisu will be out.

 

[ccfcway]

Hoffman is a fan, so surely that is fan representation ?

I can well believe that this is Hoffman and Elliot keeping their powder dry and keeping their cards close to their chests in view of stiring it up with SISU.

 

[Grendel]

Actually just a thought now that the political equivalent of UKIP appears to have floundered perhaps fans can concentrate on a minor little thing. Getting the ricoh filled and trying to survive in this league. Terribly old fashioned I know but just a thought.

 

[Godiva]

I am sad to see Jan leave the committee, he at least tried to establish a communication platform to the current owners. A platform we are badly missing.

If it's true that Hoffman refuses to have anything to do with fans who try to deal with sisu in civilized terms it shows Hoffman to be totally unprofessionel. With that attitude any hope of a deal is lost.

 

[DH - Sky Blue]

And some people were saying SOC was too formal

 

[ccfcway]

lets not get the ropes out just yet

Hoff is talking to NO-ONE. Normally Mercia, CT etc all know whats going on, but no-one has a clue..

If we cant trust a CCFC fan to take over and do whats in the best interests of the club, who can we trust ?

 

[ashbyjan]

kduffy - glad that the collapse of the group has cheered you up however filling the ground was one of the points of contention. A couple of us had plans, done in conjunction with the club, to try and bolster support but these were scuppered as this would be seen as working with SISU. I am all for filling the ground to the rafters but others seem to have their own agenda.

 

[Grendel]

It hasn't cheered me up. I have never voiced one opinion on the whole thing. My only concern is that it is proving a distraction from the key aim of survival.
The truth is that once we sold our small shareholding accountability to fans was never going to happen. We will always have problems unless this changes.
I genuinely applaud you attempt actually bit was concerned at some of your fringe people hurling abuse at those who just want to support the team.

 

[LastGarrison]

Jan out of interest will you be adding your time as a committe member of such a prestigious group to your CV?

I'd obviously leave out that your HQ was the Hen Lane Social though.

 

[I'mARealWizard]

Jan out of interest will you be adding your time as a committe member of such a prestigious group to your CV?

I'd obviously leave out that your HQ was the Hen Lane Social though.

Why act like a dick?

 

[ashbyjan]

Why would I wish to add something that I have patently failed with to my CV - there's enough professional cock-ups to be "hidden" without adding this thank you

 

[mexico88]

Genuinely.... All the best.

I know I probably started the lynch mob off - but it wasn't to be.

Anything over SISU out wasn't really wanted and 'listening' to, not leading opinion might have made you realise this sooner.

But know this... you set out to get mass media attention to get on SISU's back - and did so. If your original goal was to get SISU to pack up, it looks like you have succeeded. So walk with pride.

 

[ashbyjan]

I have no pride in failure Mexico - I wanted more than a SISU-out chanting mob but others had their own ideas so I leave it to them. I hope their blind faith in Hoffman is rewarded and this time next year we are thinking about promotion from Div One and all will be rosy with our benevolent new leader.

 

[We'll_live_and_die]

Jan if you plan on starting a fans group, that supports the club regardless of owners then I would be interested in joining. If there were things like backstage tours, discounted tickets, discounted away days e.t.c.

The thing that ruined SOC is that whilst claiming to represent the fans, the fans opinion was not considered.

You were obviously the driving force behind the formation of the group and I would be happy to support you in the forming of an alternative, "fan club" if you like.

 

[mexico88]

I have no pride in failure Mexico - I wanted more than a SISU-out chanting mob but others had their own ideas so I leave it to them. I hope their blind faith in Hoffman is rewarded and this time next year we are thinking about promotion from Div One and all will be rosy with our benevolent new leader.

Don't be such a pleb. Failure is where we learn and the more you fail, the more you learn.

I don't think anyone has "blind faith" in Hoffman. I think it's more like people reaching a point of no return with a devious, faceless board. Transparency would have solved all of the backlash towards SISU - but many now believe that they had too many chances to do this.

If SISU was your wife, you'd give her a chance. The if she fecked it up, you'd give her another chance - but you wouldn't just allow her to keep breaking your heart- eventually you'd shag her mate.

 

[cloughie]

I would like to thank Jan for all his efforts with what started out as a protest group and anti sisu.

I think it highly unlikely that any group of investors will really be interested in having a fan on the board or similar it's just unrealistic. (in my opinion)
Maybe they will listen to fans via a club official is the best anyone can expect.

Once again thanks and all the best

 

[ashbyjan]

I won't stoop to personal insults but whilst SISU have totally blotted their copy book and need to go there is currently no alternative - lots of words and promises of good times but no actual offer on the table or anything. So to be forcing out current owners when there is no alternative in place, just words, smacks of blind faith to me.

 

[cloughie]

Following last nights meeting where it was decided to change the groups direction from a fans representative body to simply a SISU-out body two of us have resigned as this is not what we wanted from the group. By way of explanation I post our two resignation letters.

Morning Gents

After sleeping on it I am tendering my resignation from the committee. I feel that the direction the group wishes to go in is not one I can support 100%. Much as I want rid of these current owners I want an alternative to back not promises. I wanted to create a representative body for the fans, irrespective of who the clubs owners were and could hold those owners to account. I was shocked to be told that Hoffman and Elliott would refuse to deal with any fans body that has dared to talk to the current owners but from the sound of it they actually have no interest in fan representation anyway – doesn’t bode well for the future, but that’s just my opinion. I hope your faith is repaid and that something positive happens but I wanted something bigger than just SISU-out, obviously I was mistaken but I guess you live and learn. I hope that Hoffman comes through with his promises and gets SISU out sooner rather than later but I am not prepared to blindly follow anyone on the strength of promises and rhetoric. I admire your faith but I am afraid I am to old and sceptical to believe every word I am told.

I have no intention of starting any splinter group etc and cause any mixed messages to the fans who according to the meeting to just want SISU-out or SISU-in message, so please feel free to carry on using the groups name etc and if you want the access codes to the web site I can let whoever wants them have them. I will cut off all communication with Fisher etc so that I don’t get accused of being any sort of traitor in the future, even if all I was trying to do was for the best of all Cov fans not just Gary Hoffman and leave the field open to you all.

I wish you all the best for the future and hope that your faith is repaid in the long term and as well as the short.
Regards
Jan

Second Resignation

Morning Gents,

I would like to politely tender my resignation from the committee. I do not intend to cover old ground or cause debate but the direction of the group goes against my personal and professional principles and integrity. I did not tender this at the meeting last night as I wanted time to sleep on it and also did not want to detract from the group discussions any further.

I have absolutely no intention of forming a splinter group or being any form of anti SOC but at the same time I cannot be part of something I personally feel to be short-sighted and naive. I am not willing to pin my hopes on any single takeover whoever it may be and I feel it somewhat irresponsible to do so without any clear plan or structure to hold any owner whether current or future accountable from day one, instead crossing my fingers and hoping for the best which is how I now perceive the direction to be.

I hope you all the very best in what you do and still intend to be present at general SOC meeting as I do truly believe that different opinions are healthy, I just feel that my personal and professional principles differ so greatly to that of the group direction that I would not be best served as a committee member.

It genuinely has been great meeting and speaking with you all, after all we all share the one true passion 'CCFC'

Who is the second resignation ?

 

[ccfcway]

Who is the second resignation ?

Onye

 

[DH - Sky Blue]

Jan - I agree with your comments. Of course we can't just jump on the 'get SISU out' bandwagon without fully knowing the extent of Hoffmans position. You appear to know what you're talking about and your aims seem fair and realistic. If SOC has turned into a 'Get SISU out at whatever cost' then i can understand your decision to leave.

But my opinion, and i think others have the same, is that there was too much of a formal feel and even arrogance of SOC towards other fans, where you felt superior to them, and turned your noses up ("traitors") at fans who attended the cup game. (You as in SOC not you personally!) Would'nt think in the slightest that would be deliberate, but it was just the way it came across to me. Can understand the need to appear organised and formal to the club for them to take you seriously, and not give the impression of a group of louts, but when speaking to other fans did you need to be so serious then? The overall feel wasn't particularly appealing to any people interesting in becoming part of it, although fully agree with your sentiment.

 

[ccfcway]

This is CCFC, its impossible to feel superior to anyone

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

Shame. As other posters have said, Hoffmann is giving interviews or comments to *nobody*, and why would he? Things would get blown out of context, people would be reading into things that weren't there, and we'd just get sick of it. Far as Cov fans are concerned, the club is going to hell in a handcart with the current ownership, and a consortium that's stood by for months and months trying to even get to a negotiations standpoint is surely a good thing.
It shows commitment to see through a deal with owners playing hardball, and that's far from a negative thing. If the Hoffman group gets control and mismanages the club to new depths, then I'll stand corrected, but one thing's for sure-getting SISU out is a top priority; what happens afterwards is a different story. Real good effort Jan for getting the ball rolling, especially for more distant fans like myself!

 

[Hamish]

Jan if you plan on starting a fans group, that supports the club regardless of owners then I would be interested in joining. If there were things like backstage tours, discounted tickets, discounted away days e.t.c.

The thing that ruined SOC is that whilst claiming to represent the fans, the fans opinion was not considered.

You were obviously the driving force behind the formation of the group and I would be happy to support you in the forming of an alternative, "fan club" if you like.

The fans opinion was considered as a majority of the group voted to change the direction of the group. If you don't agree with it then maybe you should have been at the meeting and so would have had a vote. I believe the next meeting is 9/2/12 and is open to all City fans. :blue:

 

[Senior Vick from Alicante]

To join in the debate I was one of the voices that opposed the formality of the SOC. Jan what ever people say about the way things went with the group we should all as city fans respect the fact that you did help bring a spotlight on what was happening at the club to a wider ordience, for this you should have our heart felt thanks and appreciation. The problem for most run of the mill fans as I see it is that as we are united in our wish that SISU should not be allowed to hold tenure at the club any more, we should not be opening lines of communication with the people that we wish removed from the club. I do believe that all city fans should have some channel of discourse with the NEW owners, wether this is through a reformation of a vehicle like the old city supporters club who used to meet in the bar under the old stand at Highfield rd or a fans representative that could post regulaly on forums like this I am not sure. The club has to and must embrace its customers to enable it to move forward next season. PUSB

 

[Glenn Storer]

Jan out of interest will you be adding your time as a committe member of such a prestigious group to your CV?

I'd obviously leave out that your HQ was the Hen Lane Social though.

Helpful mate, real helpful.

 

[The Reverend Skyblue]

Jan, i admire you for your efforts and you can hold your head up high. Though i did'nt particpate , i agreed with most of what SOC was about.
You brought media attention of the SISU fiasco to a wider audience, which you and others must take great credit.

Deep breath, and onwards and upwards, and you can now concentrate on much more important things in your life, like family and work.

I've began to realise recently all this cat fighting between fans, and people trying to win petty arguments,(and i admit to losing my temper once or twice recently on such trivial matters,so i hold my hands up to doing this as well), is of no impotance at all, and really life is too short to for all this hassle.
Take a few steps back, get back the hours you've lost being with your family and friends, running this campaign, and relax for a while. Coventry Football Club is important to us all, but it comes nowhere near other things in life like family and friends and work.
Ignore some peoples glee at the demise of this campaign, which can only be described as juvenile in the extreme.
You did your best and you should be proud

The Rev

 

[Paxman II]

...well the minute you "offered your expertise" to both parties in a pious statement it really was all over

 

[ccfcway]

nail on the head pal...

Everyone has been through enough with this club in the past 10 years to last a life time.

Not sure some people are being juvenile, I just think its the fact they they realise it shouldnt be dominating their lives as its just not worth it any more. Enjoy this forum and the club for what it is, a welcome destraction to real life !

 

[ashbyjan]

Thanks for the comments Rev - irony is that at the same time as I have been trying to get the club divorced from SISU I have personally been trying to get divorced from my wife so its been a bit fraught all round! Mind you it looks like my personal divorce will happen quicker then the clubs - at least I have had an offer on the table which has been accepted. Seems you have to be able to make an offer before someone can accept it - tip for Mr Hoffman.