Mark Robins Plea (14 Viewers)

[torchomatic]

We had the support and were in the Championship when they arrived. Again it is a convenient “spin” by Fisher et al that it’s “the fans fault” if people don’t go to the Ricoh and “we will cut the budget accordingly”
Boddy I thought, may have had a different approach but he has reverted to type when he revealed that “there is a shortfall in the budget for this season” which anyone could have told him that after relegation and ticket price rises, that LESS people would be attending this season. It doesn’t take a Chief Executive to work that one out.

It's not spin. It's nonsense. If you had a business and you had a massive decrease in customers coming through the door then you would have to cut back or go under.

No one is saying anything about "fault". Well apart from you and a few predictable others. It is not the fans fault, it is the fault of SISU. However, this is about the future of the club and we need more supporters to ensure we have a club once SISU have left, which they will one day.

 

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[Otis]

It's not spin. It's nonsense. If you had a business and you had a massive decrease in customers coming through the door then you would have to cut back or go under.

No one is saying anything about "fault". Well apart from you and a few predictable others. It is not the fans fault, it is the fault of SISU. However, this is about the future of the club and we need more supporters to ensure we have a club once SISU have left, which they will one day.

It's all about weighing up things and balance isn't it.

I was doing the same over MK. I have always been totally opposed to the franchise and said I would never give them any of my hard earned cash, but I was going to go to this cup match.

My thinking was, if none of us went that would lessen the chance of my team winning and the bigger the following we have the more support we can give the team and it might just make all the difference.

I put my team first. A victory in the 4th round could lead to a very big payout in the 5th.

I know everyone is different, but sometimes you just have to put your team first and balance out your priorities.

Surely none us truly want to see us go down again do they? My belief is that this could be our season and that if we don't make it count this season, next season we could be swallowed into midtable mediocrity.

 

[better days]

Our best hope of new owners is to have a successful season and get promoted
SISU will sell when someone meets their valuation
As Fisher said last season it's not good business to sell at the bottom of the cycle

 

[rupert_bear]

My biggest concern is what if should we go up and we are good enough to do that, we would need better players not the numbers of previous seasons but I’d think we would need 3 or 4 they would probably command higher wages would that be sanctioned

 

[stevefloyd]

Robins didn't move us to Northampton did he?

What are you insulted about exactly? What would you want him to say?

Fans are increasingly incredibly fickle. You obviously don't go, but I can assure you, when the City are winning all the Sisu out chants stop. When we are losing they start up again.

Do you want us to get promotion or not? The way I see it, that is the only way Sisu will be gone, IF we are successful.

We are third and have a great chance of going up this year. There is nothing insulting at all in what Mark Robins has said. There ARE two sides to every story and all he is saying is that we need to see past that. Sisu obviously has some kind of duty to their shareholders, but that is absolutely the last thing on my mind when I take my seat at the Ricoh. Of course there are two sides. He is not saying both sides have the same validity.

Do you think Robins is interested in Sisu? Are the players?

This is just a football team trying to win games.

I will never forgive Sisu for taking us to Northampton either, but we came back, we are here again! We now have a decent team and are doing well.

Would you rather us win matches and gain promotion or sink further into the abyss. We go down there is absolutely no sign that Sisu will go.

Everything Robins has said is not contentious. All he is saying is to put things to one side and get behind the team you love.

Life's too short for all this shit and we cannot get rid of Sisu until they are ready to leave.

I would urge every fan to come back, support their team and try and get this club out of this division. The more fans stay away the more likely we will be out of this division, but not heading in the right direction!

Agree 100% Otis. Fishface alluded to a cycle and how we are at the bottom of the cycle, IF we want Sisu to go we definitely have to be successful because they are a hedge fund and they want to look good for their shareholders so the club is successful they look good and sell end of !!!
If we are not successful I cannot see them selling us unless it starts to cost them lots of money, we are on the back burner with them, they couldn't give a shite about us but as Otis says its our 'little' club and I for one actually think the fucking world of it...If any of you don't well then that is your choice...If I don't go to watch a game or 2 I don't come on here or anywhere else saying I didn't go because.......blah blah blah!!! I go because its my club that I support and always have done

 

[oldskyblue58]

Are the lost fans NOPM so making a decision on Ccfc finance or simply customers going elsewhere. The former decide to hurt the club finance by some skewed logic that it hurts Sisu the latter simply look for value and have alternatives

I am far from convinced that the majority of those fans lost are doing it with any intention of hurting ccfc, that's a minority of fans who claim a greater effect than they are due. Most lost fans have simply become disillusioned with what they have received for hard earnt cash, have seen other alternatives and invested in that. It's simple customer relations that works for any business. The club, and in this you have to include the owners, has separated itself from the most important element - it's fans and supporters - and thereby income. The fans were desperate for a little success it wasn't a difficult sell if you provided some. They were taken for granted. However once people make different choices for their family and money then that sell depends entirely on success to entice and checkatrade apart there has been none.

Talk here of fans hurting the club by not going is pointing the finger and I feel diverts attention from deeper reasons. What is now being said by the club is basically we had an unexpected win in the cup and we sit 3rd in a poor division believe in us again. Why ? Against this you have people are doing other things they enjoy with family and friends they see as value for money. I love my club and football, I am prepared to spend on Ccfc but the biggest value I got from matches was the quality time with my lad. Things move on in other directions if the connection is not cherished from both sides of the equation it is hard to restore.

The club for years did little to foster the loyalty, the investment, the links of its fans. Recently they have made changes to that but you are not going to reverse that in a couple of months and again it comes back to performance on the pitch. Get that right and people don't just want to be there, they need to be there.

But they can't get the pitch right because the fans are staying away. Their only income is ticket income. Nonsense. I have posted before the various other turnover incomes they do get or even could get. It is comparable to any normal club with the exception stadium naming rights. They haven't maximised those in the past either by choice or being under staffed because of the cut backs they have chosen to make. Ccfc turnover in total is not particularly disadvantaged compared to other league 2 clubs if at all. Clubs with smaller incomes have been promoted even made profits doing it. More income of course would help. But success this year doesn't hinge just on bums on seats.

How many times this season have there been complaints on this forum about the poor football the decisions made by the manager players not giving it their best. But it is fans staying away that is making the difference between success and failure. Really? in such a poor league ? More fans would help but so would a lot of other things.

In my opinion it is also a nonsense to point to Sisu taking thousands to pay for the court case. There simply is not the spare cash to fund it. If they wanted to extract funds all they have to do is draw down the interest and the accounts show they can't. Those who doubt, take a look at the chesterfield last accounts which (a) are very similar broadly to Ccfc and (b) provide a lot of detail about turnovers and importantly the costs which would be similar at ccfc. They made a profit though.

The biggest encouragement to any stay away fan or new fan is the results of the team. The biggest reason to bring them in. That success in league 2 is not just dependent ticket sales it is more complex than that perhaps most important is how that finance is spent. Maybe don't prioritize or focus on old lost fans target new fans

That said there is no doubt more fans equals more income and at least relieves the pressure on robins. More importantly perhaps is the improved atmosphere.

Still in the end comes back to the decisions made by the owners and those that run the club or manage the team.

Unless there is a very significant increase in fans (60% or more) I fear that all that will be achieved is a recovery of the deficit already incurred. The positive to that is that there could then be no selling of the family crown jewels if budget is hit.

Robins is right to encourage fans to attend. A little consistency and it could be a very good season. That should boost the finances. But it is not going to be a quick fix, there has been too much damage done to the essential relationship between club and fans

Just my opinion

 

[ccfcway]

As Fisher said last season it's not good business to sell at the bottom of the cycle

yep, he said that when we were in league one, we are now league two,

so we are even more at the bottom of the cycle than when we were at the bottom of the cycle !

 

[ccfcway]

Les Reid popping up again makes me think something is going on in the background

 

[Rusty Trombone]

Are the lost fans NOPM so making a decision on Ccfc finance or simply customers going elsewhere. The former decide to hurt the club finance by some skewed logic that it hurts Sisu the latter simply look for value and have alternatives

I am far from convinced that the majority of those fans lost are doing it with any intention of hurting ccfc, that's a minority of fans who claim a greater effect than they are due. Most lost fans have simply become disillusioned with what they have received for hard earnt cash, have seen other alternatives and invested in that. It's simple customer relations that works for any business. The club, and in this you have to include the owners, has separated itself from the most important element - it's fans and supporters - and thereby income. The fans were desperate for a little success it wasn't a difficult sell if you provided some. They were taken for granted. However once people make different choices for their family and money then that sell depends entirely on success to entice and checkatrade apart there has been none.

Talk of fans hurting the club by not going is pointing the finger and I feel diverts attention from deeper reasons. What is now being said is basically we had an unexpected win in the cup and we sit 3rd in a poor division believe in us again. Why ? Against this you have people are doing other things they enjoy with family and friends they see as value for money. I love my club and football prepared to spend on Ccfc but the biggest value I got from matches was the quality time with my lad. Things move on in other directions if the connection is not cherished from both sides of the equation it is hard to restore.

The club for years did little to foster loyalty, investment, links with its fans. Recently they have made changes to that but you are not going to reverse that in a couple of months but again it comes back to performance on the pitch. Get that right and people don't just want to be there they need to be there.

But they can't get the pitch right because the fans are staying away. Their only income is ticket income. Nonsense. I have posted before the various other turnover incomes they do get or even could get. It is comparable to any normal club with the exception stadium naming rights. They haven't maximised those in the past either by choice or being under staffed because of the cut backs they have chosen to make. Ccfc turnover in total is not particularly disadvantaged compared to other league 2 clubs if at all. Clubs with smaller incomes have been promoted even made profits doing it. More income of course would help. But success this year doesn't hinge just on bums on seats.

How many times this season have there been complaints on this forum about the poor football the decisions made by the manager players not giving it their best. But it is fans staying away that is making the difference between success and failure. More fans would help but so would a lot of other things.

In my opinion it is also a nonsense to point to Sisu taking thousands to pay for the court case. There simply is not the spare cash to fund it. If they wanted to extract funds all they have to do is draw down the interest and the accounts show they can't. Those who doubt, take a look at the chesterfield last accounts which (a) are very similar broadly to Ccfc and (b) provide a lot of detail about turnovers and importantly the costs. They made a profit though.

The biggest encouragement to any stay away fan or new fan is the results of the team. The biggest reason to bring them in. That success in league 2 is not just dependent ticket sales it is more complex than that perhaps most important is how that finance is spent. Maybe don't prioritize old lost fans target new fans

That said there is no doubt more fans equals more income and at least relieves the pressure on robins. More importantly perhaps is the improved atmosphere.

Still in the end comes back to the decisions made by the owners and those that run the club or manage the team.

Unless there is a very significant increase in fans (60% or more) I fear that all that will be achieved is a recovery of the deficit already incurred. The positive to that is that there could then be no selling of the family crown jewels

Robins is right to encourage fans to attend. A little consistency and it could be a very good season. That should boost the finances. But it is not going to be a quick fix, there has been too much damage done to the essential relationship between club and fans

Just my opinion

Great stuff as always. I do think though that NOPM, or boycotting, or whatever people may call it, does hurt SISU, maybe not directly, and maybe not hugely. The problem though is that it hurts the club massively, and is a huge case of cutting off your nose to spite your face. So my choice is to go to games, but not to let bygones be bygones.

 

[RoboCCFC90]

Every fan has their own divine right, do they go and support the team, enjoy the social aspect of Saturday afternoon and enjoy where the Club is currently on the pitch and back it, but then on the flip side do you attend knowing SISU are in the background?

My message to any fan is this, you do what you want to do, regardless of what Mark Robins says or anyone else, if you want to support CCFC, enjoy watching some decent football and back the team to promotion then do it, forget SISU and Joy Seppala, after all by staying away and not watching the team you’re giving SISU a power they don’t deserve.

We all support Coventry City, we all love Coventry City, come and see Coventry City kick on and fight our way back.


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[chiefdave]

Bloody disgrace the manager wanting more fans to turn up and cheer the team on so we generate more money and can improve the squad. We'll go nowhere with stupid ideas like that. #RobinsOut

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

Brighton had a council working to shaft them as well but now own a fabulous ground. We never will. They also have no serious competition for fans for a good 50-60 miles in all directions.

 

[Monkeyface]

Are the lost fans NOPM so making a decision on Ccfc finance or simply customers going elsewhere. The former decide to hurt the club finance by some skewed logic that it hurts Sisu the latter simply look for value and have alternatives

I am far from convinced that the majority of those fans lost are doing it with any intention of hurting ccfc, that's a minority of fans who claim a greater effect than they are due. Most lost fans have simply become disillusioned with what they have received for hard earnt cash, have seen other alternatives and invested in that. It's simple customer relations that works for any business. The club, and in this you have to include the owners, has separated itself from the most important element - it's fans and supporters - and thereby income. The fans were desperate for a little success it wasn't a difficult sell if you provided some. They were taken for granted. However once people make different choices for their family and money then that sell depends entirely on success to entice and checkatrade apart there has been none.

Talk here of fans hurting the club by not going is pointing the finger and I feel diverts attention from deeper reasons. What is now being said by the club is basically we had an unexpected win in the cup and we sit 3rd in a poor division believe in us again. Why ? Against this you have people are doing other things they enjoy with family and friends they see as value for money. I love my club and football, I am prepared to spend on Ccfc but the biggest value I got from matches was the quality time with my lad. Things move on in other directions if the connection is not cherished from both sides of the equation it is hard to restore.

The club for years did little to foster the loyalty, the investment, the links of its fans. Recently they have made changes to that but you are not going to reverse that in a couple of months and again it comes back to performance on the pitch. Get that right and people don't just want to be there, they need to be there.

But they can't get the pitch right because the fans are staying away. Their only income is ticket income. Nonsense. I have posted before the various other turnover incomes they do get or even could get. It is comparable to any normal club with the exception stadium naming rights. They haven't maximised those in the past either by choice or being under staffed because of the cut backs they have chosen to make. Ccfc turnover in total is not particularly disadvantaged compared to other league 2 clubs if at all. Clubs with smaller incomes have been promoted even made profits doing it. More income of course would help. But success this year doesn't hinge just on bums on seats.

How many times this season have there been complaints on this forum about the poor football the decisions made by the manager players not giving it their best. But it is fans staying away that is making the difference between success and failure. Really? in such a poor league ? More fans would help but so would a lot of other things.

In my opinion it is also a nonsense to point to Sisu taking thousands to pay for the court case. There simply is not the spare cash to fund it. If they wanted to extract funds all they have to do is draw down the interest and the accounts show they can't. Those who doubt, take a look at the chesterfield last accounts which (a) are very similar broadly to Ccfc and (b) provide a lot of detail about turnovers and importantly the costs which would be similar at ccfc. They made a profit though.

The biggest encouragement to any stay away fan or new fan is the results of the team. The biggest reason to bring them in. That success in league 2 is not just dependent ticket sales it is more complex than that perhaps most important is how that finance is spent. Maybe don't prioritize or focus on old lost fans target new fans

That said there is no doubt more fans equals more income and at least relieves the pressure on robins. More importantly perhaps is the improved atmosphere.

Still in the end comes back to the decisions made by the owners and those that run the club or manage the team.

Unless there is a very significant increase in fans (60% or more) I fear that all that will be achieved is a recovery of the deficit already incurred. The positive to that is that there could then be no selling of the family crown jewels if budget is hit.

Robins is right to encourage fans to attend. A little consistency and it could be a very good season. That should boost the finances. But it is not going to be a quick fix, there has been too much damage done to the essential relationship between club and fans
Just my opinion

Let's say that SISU aren't using fans money for court cases, i'm not convined they aren't, but for arguements sake, we say they'e not. They know that nearly every City fan is opposed to the action, so why not drop it and try to rebuild bridges in the city? I can only think that they don't want to do this because they truly believe they have a real chance of winning, despite the evidence to the contrary. Or they are just doing it out of pure spite, which would be bonkers. Either way, if they drop the legal case, and assuming it is their own money they are spending, redirected those funds into the team, this would be a positive step. No point expecting fans to have faith when all you'e done is abuse their trust. It needs some gestures from the owners to make people come back. And they don' seem to keen to do that.

 

[Hobo]

I totally agree with all that he's said there and though it's great we are taking loads to MK, it does sadden me that people are not coming to the home league games.

That's our bread and butter and for us to compete and be successful we need more fans backing the team.

There is absolutely no sign of Sisu leaving, so any NOPM stance is just going to keep hurting the club.

I hope MR's words don't fall on deaf ears.

You would think the owners might be trying a bit harder?

 

[Cov kid 55]

I don’t think there’s fundamentally anything wrong with what MR has said, we need more fans at home, not just from a financial perspective, although this is crucial, but from an atmosphere/support position. His choice of words ‘let bygones be bygones’ is not something that City fans can buy into, and I don’t suppose for a minute he really thinks that we can forgive and forget the agony of the SISU reign, but he’s asking Coventrians to step up and help the team and club move forward, and that’s a sentiment that I can buy into. Fans who turn up and support are doing their bit.

 

[wince]

Robins left because he didn't trust the owners we are in a worst position now because he was proved right, to now say get behind us , just dose not wash, no said the same when he returned, hope he turns the football round , but he needs to keep away from the politics , especially when he knows some of the history

 

[ccfcway]

Robins left because he didn't trust the owners we are in a worst position now because he was proved right, to now say get behind us , just dose not wash, no said the same when he returned, hope he turns the football round , but he needs to keep away from the politics , especially when he knows some of the history

there is a lot wrong with our club, but lets have it right, Robins left for the money

 

[wince]

there is a lot wrong with our club, but lets have it right, Robins left for the money

more reason for him to keep away from the politics

 

[ccfcway]

more reason for him to keep away from the politics

why ?, they are his bosses. They pay his wages

 

[wince]

why ?, they are his bosses. They pay his wages

Till the fans turn as has happened to the six or seven before him , experience tell any manager to keep fans on side

 

[chiefdave]

Robins left because he didn't trust the owners

I spoke to the owner, I sought assurances and didn’t get any assurances from the owner of Coventry, I absolutely wish them all the best, they work their socks off and as I’ve said before that club needs support from Coventry City Council.

I won’t go into specific detail. There are well-documented things about what’s happening down at Coventry. It is a magnificent club. Potentially huge.

But it needs support to build revenue streams and help from the council. It’s been the most difficult professional decision I’ve ever had to make, but I feel it’s absolutely the right decision.

I was happy at Coventry, there’s no doubt about that, they’ve been fantastic.

But then I got a call saying Huddersfield were interested in speaking to me and I expressed a wish to speak.

So then things unfolded. I got permission to speak on Tuesday night and concluded talks yesterday.

 

[Captain_Slackbladder]

I'm a bit baffled as to how anyone can be insulted by what Mark Robins has said.

All he is asking for is for fans to go and support the team.

We can't do anything about Sisu, but we can do something to help this lovely little football club of ours.

As a point of reference I was an intermittent season ticket holder between 1998 and 2012 (for personal and financial reasons). Retrospectively I despise what Richardson did to the club, but on some level he did understand the club and wanted big for the city. I accept he is corrupt but at least he knew his market. Now we move onto SISU. I want to start swearing and shouting but.. the football league let us down. They let this vermin in. They ate vermin. I met Tim Fisher on a train last April (he had gone via Nuneaton to avoid city fans.and.was with a mate, he was very drunk. A nasty piece of work..) yet you guys will still pay money to support his business venture.

I want us to dissolve. Then start our own, build our own stadium brick by brick. If we had done this 5 years ago when SISU moved us out then we would be in a similar position to AFC Wimbledon. We could not. Why? Because certain SCABS -you.know who you are justified SISU's move to Northampton. #NeverForget and that is exactly why Robins should keep out of it. He will be gone soon anyway.

 

[Captain_Slackbladder]

Our best hope of new owners is to have a successful season and get promoted
SISU will sell when someone meets their valuation
As Fisher said last season it's not good business to sell at the bottom of the cycle

No it is not. Starve the bastards out. Stop funding them. Our city our club. Not theirs

 

[Nick]

No it is not. Starve the bastards out. Stop funding them. Our city our club. Not theirs

How do you work that out? How will they starve?

 

[ccfcway]

How do you work that out? How will they starve?

Exactly. Promotion or relegation isn't a step towards new owners. They don't care. They are playing the bigger game in court.

Football isn't on their radar.

 

[rupert_bear]

How do you work that out? How will they starve?

The ground situation Nick, every week we are edging towards a tipping point re where we play after this season, no hints yet on how or even if negotiations are progressing, this has been my concern for ages. Let’s be honest what we currently pay is cheap, works out about 200 fans a home game I just fear the Ricoh owners are playing hardball.Our owner is on record saying they are no longer putting money in so what will their attitude be if they are asked for an upfront figure.
Beginning to think the ground situation needs ramping up and. quick.

 

[skybluebeduff]

Wheres the evidence that increased crowds will give us an increased budget? In SISU's 10 year tenure, can anyone point to the evidence to back this up? Because I've never seen a shred of evidence to support the claim.

 

[stupot07]

The ground situation Nick, every week we are edging towards a tipping point re where we play after this season, no hints yet on how or even if negotiations are progressing, this has been my concern for ages. Let’s be honest what we currently pay is cheap, works out about 200 fans a home game I just fear the Ricoh owners are playing hardball.Our owner is on record saying they are no longer putting money in so what will their attitude be if they are asked for an upfront figure.
Beginning to think the ground situation needs ramping up and. quick.

We will be at the Ricoh next season, probably on another short term contract. Boddy has said negotiations are ongoing and hopes to have some news soon. Its the one thing that I'm not that worried about. It will get sorted.

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[skybluetony176]

The ground situation Nick, every week we are edging towards a tipping point re where we play after this season, no hints yet on how or even if negotiations are progressing, this has been my concern for ages. Let’s be honest what we currently pay is cheap, works out about 200 fans a home game I just fear the Ricoh owners are playing hardball.Our owner is on record saying they are no longer putting money in so what will their attitude be if they are asked for an upfront figure.
Beginning to think the ground situation needs ramping up and. quick.

Said on CWR that the contract was drawn but waiting to be signed on staying at the Ricoh. If the contracts are drawn you’d assume that an agreement has been made so don’t understand why they’re is a delay in signing them.

 

[rupert_bear]

Until the t’s are crossed and i’s dotted I worry, These aren’t normal circumstances our owner and the Ricoh owners at legal loggerheads, our owner reluctant to put money into the business and then there’s the EFL to satisfy, I remember the “we’ll never go to Northampton” belief.

 

[Nick]

The ground situation Nick, every week we are edging towards a tipping point re where we play after this season, no hints yet on how or even if negotiations are progressing, this has been my concern for ages. Let’s be honest what we currently pay is cheap, works out about 200 fans a home game I just fear the Ricoh owners are playing hardball.Our owner is on record saying they are no longer putting money in so what will their attitude be if they are asked for an upfront figure.
Beginning to think the ground situation needs ramping up and. quick.

What's that got to do with what I said?

 

[rupert_bear]

What's that got to do with what I said?

You said “how will we starve” having no ground next season might contribute to being a bit hungry. I actually think a solution will happen but until there is an agreement focus on the ground impasse and pressure from us fans for answers should intensify.

 

[Grendel]

Until the t’s are crossed and i’s dotted I worry, These aren’t normal circumstances our owner and the Ricoh owners at legal loggerheads, our owner reluctant to put money into the business and then there’s the EFL to satisfy, I remember the “we’ll never go to Northampton” belief.

You keep saying the EFL needs satisfying as if it means anything. They’ll approve any sort of deal.

 

[stupot07]

You said “how will we starve” having no ground next season might contribute to being a bit hungry. I actually think a solution will happen but until there is an agreement focus on the ground impasse and pressure from us fans for answers should intensify.

So we should all boycott?

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[rupert_bear]

So we should all boycott?
Boycott what ?
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