10 weeks - any news ? (4 Viewers)

[Sky Blue Pete]

Emailed cllr duggins to ask

He isn’t aware of any talks and fully blames Sisu for the move out of coventry and the poor gates. Again though he was quick to answer. Does anyone have an email for Nick Robinson at wasps.

 

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[bawtryneal]

Boddy gets a lot of praise on here for some reason I step back from that, to me he is the other cheek of the same backside, he’s been on this ground issue for over twelve months.

I praise him for his improved communication and general open style but at the end of the day he is a puppet for SISU and has to follow there strategy and plan.

 

[christonabike]

If every week it hits Wasps in the pocket that we stay away Im all for it. As for fans missing watching the City play we are at St Andrews not Plymouth ffs its 25 mins down the road! I dont want us to go back with a shit rental deal, no monies from food etc and a torn to shreds pitch come October. Plus the Ricoh has never felt like home and Wasps posters and fittings everywhere doesnt help. We are all football fans at the end of the day so follow the TEAM and leave the bickering and arguing to the powers that be.
The parties concerned have said their piece lets just enjoy a new looking team with a great chance of the play offs and enjoy the season.

 

[Magwitch]

Like I said earlier we need someone to ask these people Duggins, Eastwood and Fisher or Sepalla I suppose awkward questions on a regular basis. I believe our ground situation is critical to our future.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

Like I said earlier we need someone to ask these people Duggins, Eastwood and Fisher or Sepalla I suppose awkward questions on a regular basis. I believe our ground situation is critical to our future.

I agree

 

[Skyblueweeman]

I don't know...I kinda get the OPs post and agree. I understand everyone else saying 'what do you expect, the balls not in our court etc' but it would be nice to any form of update on the situation from the club...even if it's 'we're still in negotiations with Wasps about a new deal and in lieu of that, we're working with CCC on alternative options'. I know it wouldn't be worded like that but they know that being in Cov is the only correct option for us so any update, even if to say talks are progressing, would be welcomed.

 

[hill83]

I'm giving it until November/December before I start getting seriously pissed off about it.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

I'm giving it until November/December before I start getting seriously pissed off about it.

If we start putting that out there then I’m sure momentum will make a statement inevitable. Not sure we’d be happy with still talking but no progress though which is what it would be

 

[GaryMabbuttsLeftKnee]

I’d start with....

Where we are at with discussions with wasps
Where we are at with discussions with council on woodlands
Where we are at with the council helping find us a plot
Last meeting with council and how it went
Last attempted meeting with council and next steps as there wasn’t one
Update on discussions with EFL about possibility of identifying a site just outside of the city boundary etc

Thing is though, they could come back answering all those points with:
Wasps haven't changed their stance
Council won't allow us Woodlands
Council won't help us find a plot
Council haven't changed their stance
See above
EFL probably more concerned with Bury & Bolton currently

Which I imagine (although obviously don't know) are correct and people would go 'WHAT WAS THE POINT IN THE UPDATE?!' or 'DO SOMETHING' when in reality, most of that is actually out of their hands. This is what I don't get. The owners are clearly dickheads and have been dickheads since they took over. There has been a slight improvement with the running of the club in say the last 2 years or so, but even with a positive change from them, unless the council or Wasps want to play ball with them, they're entirely powerless to give you the answers you want.

 

[chiefdave]

He isn’t aware of any talks and fully blames Sisu for the move out of coventry and the poor gates. Again though he was quick to answer. Does anyone have an email for Nick Robinson at wasps.

To be fair the council kept insisting there had been no enquiries about land from the club until Duggins tied himself up in knots and accidentally revealed there had been.

Odd response for him to say he is not aware of any talks as the last update we had on the issue was that the club was still waiting on the councils response. If he says he's not aware of any talks does he mean the council still haven't responded?

 

[Fergusons_Beard]

I praise him for his improved communication and general open style but at the end of the day he is a puppet for SISU and has to follow there strategy and plan.

Does that mean Robins and our players are a ‘puppet of SISU’?


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[Fergusons_Beard]

Being devil’s advocate here why do we need to be in negotiation with Wasps?

To play in their stadium under their terms?

Are we so desperate to be back in Coventry that we’d feed the coffers of a rugby union club not from Coventry?


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[Irish Sky Blue]

If every week it hits Wasps in the pocket that we stay away Im all for it. As for fans missing watching the City play we are at St Andrews not Plymouth ffs its 25 mins down the road! I dont want us to go back with a shit rental deal, no monies from food etc and a torn to shreds pitch come October. Plus the Ricoh has never felt like home and Wasps posters and fittings everywhere doesnt help. We are all football fans at the end of the day so follow the TEAM and leave the bickering and arguing to the powers that be.
The parties concerned have said their piece lets just enjoy a new looking team with a great chance of the play offs and enjoy the season.

The big point here is that playing out of Coventry is unacceptable, it isn’t right. We need to be back playing in our own city as soon as possible. The only thing making it at all palatable is the prospect of a good season. If things go wrong on the pitch I think the small crowds become even smaller and discontent will grow very quickly.I would think Fisher would be pleased at a post like yours as you are content for the current situation to continue. Both Sisu and Wasps are using our club to distress each other. Our club and our fans are the ones suffering.
Communication from Sisu continues to be poor. Over the years they have pursued the same policy of announcing something and then going completely silent. For example, what is the situation with the new training ground? Hadn’t sites for this been identified?
The major issue for me in the OP is what progress or lack of it Sisu have made on the identification of a site for a new ground. Most of us believe the new ground idea is BS. However, Robins says (and I believe him) that the owners have told him a new ground is viable. Plan A according to Sisu is a new ground ( this has changed twice in the past two years. Plan A was first of all the Butts and then, according to Fisher, Plan A was and always had been, renting at the Ricoh). If they have made serious enquiries and the council are being difficult then it needs to come out in the open. I would doubt that very much at all on the new stadium idea is going on. For this Sisu(and the council if needs be) need to be held account.
Overall, I think there is too much acceptance of our situation. At the moment there seems to be no plan to put pressure on Wasps or CCC to make sure we return. Ultimately finance will probably dictate where we play. Our exile I would think is costing Sisu a lot more than it is costing Wasps. In the end that is likely to affect who MR can put out on the pitch and how long we can hold on to the new Maddisons and Wilsons.

 

[Nick]

The big point here is that playing out of Coventry is unacceptable, it isn’t right. We need to be back playing in our own city as soon as possible. The only thing making it at all palatable is the prospect of a good season. If things go wrong on the pitch I think the small crowds become even smaller and discontent will grow very quickly.I would think Fisher would be pleased at a post like yours as you are content for the current situation to continue. Both Sisu and Wasps are using our club to distress each other. Our club and our fans are the ones suffering.
Communication from Sisu continues to be poor. Over the years they have pursued the same policy of announcing something and then going completely silent. For example, what is the situation with the new training ground? Hadn’t sites for this been identified?
The major issue for me in the OP is what progress or lack of it Sisu have made on the identification of a site for a new ground. Most of us believe the new ground idea is BS. However, Robins says (and I believe him) that the owners have told him a new ground is viable. Plan A according to Sisu is a new ground ( this has changed twice in the past two years. Plan A was first of all the Butts and then, according to Fisher, Plan A was and always had been, renting at the Ricoh). If they have made serious enquiries and the council are being difficult then it needs to come out in the open. I would doubt that very much at all on the new stadium idea is going on. For this Sisu(and the council if needs be) need to be held account.
Overall, I think there is too much acceptance of our situation. At the moment there seems to be no plan to put pressure on Wasps or CCC to make sure we return. Ultimately finance will probably dictate where we play. Our exile I would think is costing Sisu a lot more than it is costing Wasps. In the end that is likely to affect who MR can put out on the pitch and how long we can hold on to the new Maddisons and Wilsons.

CCFC being distressed isn't distressing SISU. That's the mistake multiple parties have made in thinking over the years and it has backfired every time.

Didn't it already come out about the council being difficult about a site and it got swept under the carpet rather than any real explanation? There was no will to pressure the council about that at all from the local media or the Trust. (By saying they should be pressured, it doesn't mean that SISU shouldn't be at the same time, just for clarity).

 

[pastythegreat]

I wonder if the Sky blue Trust has been in contact with any of the parties involved. You would expect that they would be at least trying to obtain information from CCFC and the Council as to any land issues.
I d hope that the Trust are my just contacting the ELF who we know can do little to nothing.
For a supporters Trust they are deafening silent.
Pusb

The trust are doing something. They're filling pages of the telegraph with stories of how much it will cost SISU to build a new stadium.

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[Colin Steins Smile]

I fear that this is a war of attrition between SISU & Wasps. Currently, Wasps look more vulnerable, as SISU has the club living within its means.....allied to odd loans during the close season for cash flow reasons.
IF there is an outline of an agreement reached with Wasps during the medium term. The club must insist on something being done about the pitch, as we can't play the style of football the teams set up to do on a ploughed field.
Secondly, I agree with other posters on the need for the Ricoh to have strong CCFC branding and the club needs access to match day revenues generated by sales of food, drink, etc.
In the interim, if SISU are serious about building an alternative ground [which I doubt], then it's time for them to show some commitment and make a bid to secure some land. CCC may turn the bid down, but it would demonstrate some form of showing a positive plan.....rather than inane artist sketches.

 

[twistandshout]

1. If CCFC have already paid this seasons rent at St Andrews, unless ticket sales paid for it why would they pay rent at the Ricoh as well for the same season?
2.The last time rent agreements were discussed as being close, a local journalist uncovered facts that scuppered them. Why risk that again with updates?
3.If Wasps have any risk of financial instability with £1.6m lost rent, no European games and bonds due for repayment. Do you think Sisu would pay £1.6m to them or leave them short in the hope of eventually acquiring up the Ricoh .

Does anyone on here really believe any rumours that say CCFC could be back at the Ricoh this year ?

 

[shmmeee]

We need someone with media clout shoving a microphone under Nick Eastwood’s nose, under Tim Fisher’s nose and George Duggins’s nose on a regular basis, Duggins is up for Lord Mayor in May IF he gets elected to the council, he’ll want to be popular in the coming months won’t he.
Also Geoffrey Robinson is standing down at the soon to be General Election his nominated successor will want to be popular too. I hope our Trust are on to this.

CCFC fans won’t impact the outcome of elections. Can we stop this magical thinking please? Just like we won’t impact hedge funds, we won’t impact a rugby clubs bottom line, we won’t impact the electoral chances of any candidate local or national.

Everyone knows. The issue isn’t awareness. It’s simply down to Wasps changing their mind and they either will or won’t do that.

All we can do is ensure there’s a club to come back whenever it happens. And you do that by supporting the team. That’s our job.

 

[Irish Sky Blue]

CCFC being distressed isn't distressing SISU. That's the mistake multiple parties have made in thinking over the years and it has backfired every time.

Didn't it already come out about the council being difficult about a site and it got swept under the carpet rather than any real explanation?

Sisu will have to make up the short fall from the poor crowds at St Andrews. While it is certainly CCFC who are being distressed and the fans, it must be costing Sisu millions to sustain a club playing in Birmingham for a year. Our absence is costing Sisu more than it is costing Wasps (if Oldskyblue is to be believed). Your second point highlights why the issue needs to be raised as frequently as possible with the relevant parties. Neither Sisu or the Council should now be allowed to make statements that they can’t back up. If a new ground is plan A, tell us what you are doing and how the council are being unhelpful.

 

[Liquid Gold]

CCFC fans won’t impact the outcome of elections. Can we stop this magical thinking please? Just like we won’t impact hedge funds, we won’t impact a rugby clubs bottom line, we won’t impact the electoral chances of any candidate local or national.

Everyone knows. The issue isn’t awareness. It’s simply down to Wasps changing their mind and they either will or won’t do that.

All we can do is ensure there’s a club to come back whenever it happens. And you do that by supporting the team. That’s our job.

That's what Charlton fans said, until they impacted the outcome of an election.

 

[Sky_Blue_Dreamer]

Unless the update is to say we're coming back I'm fine with hearing nothing. In the past every time there's been an update it's led to a breakdown in communication and negotiations between the parties because one or the other disagrees with what the other says.

Like transfers, I'd rather hear nothing until it's done because too often we hear so-and-so if joining only for them to then go elsewhere.

 

[Irish Sky Blue]

CCFC fans won’t impact the outcome of elections. Can we stop this magical thinking please? Just like we won’t impact hedge funds, we won’t impact a rugby clubs bottom line, we won’t impact the electoral chances of any candidate local or national.

Everyone knows. The issue isn’t awareness. It’s simply down to Wasps changing their mind and they either will or won’t do that.

All we can do is ensure there’s a club to come back whenever it happens. And you do that by supporting the team. That’s our job.

I agree that there is a minimal amount that fans can do. At the moment placid acceptance seems to be the default position. Both Wasps and CCC could say that most City fans are accepting the situation. That is not right. Even if we can’t change things, shouldn’t we still show our discontent? The great thing about the marches organised by the Trust was that it showed the groundswell of feeling against what the owners were doing. Twenty one of us turning up at the last Wasps game showed that if something like this happens in future, it needs to have the time to be properly organised and the will of enough City fans turning up to make a statement.

 

[covboy1987]

so, 10 weeks tomorrow since it was announced we are playing in birmingham. not a single bit of news from owners of the club as to progress as to getting back to the city....

no update on.........

1) negotations with wasps
2) negotiations with CCC on addressed sites (woodlands) or possible identifed sites by CCC
3) potential sites outside CCC boundaries and EFL responses

wonder how long it will be before we are updated on what must surely be the priority of our owners ?

apologies in advance this isnt football related, but suspect it will get lost in the politics thread. mods can move it though if they feel approrpiate

10 of us are giving it to Xmas and then stop going unless they announce some concrete plans going forward - Basically build a new stadium (doubtful) or back to the Ricoh (with dates) Were getting fed up of the silent treatment as it makes us as fans feel worthless so will vote with our feet

 

[Irish Sky Blue]

Unless the update is to say we're coming back I'm fine with hearing nothing. In the past every time there's been an update it's led to a breakdown in communication and negotiations between the parties because one or the other disagrees with what the other says.

Like transfers, I'd rather hear nothing until it's done because too often we hear so-and-so if joining only for them to then go elsewhere.

What if nothing is happening and we are drifting towards another season at St Andrews?

 

[Nick]

Sisu will have to make up the short fall from the poor crowds at St Andrews. While it is certainly CCFC who are being distressed and the fans, it must be costing Sisu millions to sustain a club playing in Birmingham for a year. Our absence is costing Sisu more than it is costing Wasps (if Oldskyblue is to be believed). Your second point highlights why the issue needs to be raised as frequently as possible with the relevant parties. Neither Sisu or the Council should now be allowed to make statements that they can’t back up. If a new ground is plan A, tell us what you are doing and how the council are being unhelpful.

They could just sell players and cut costs though to cover the costs?

Let's face it, the council and Wasps will always say what they want and not be quizzed on it. Duggins has even gloated about it in the past in public.

There's no appetite to pressure ALL sides in this.

 

[Sky_Blue_Dreamer]

I d hope that the Trust are my just contacting the ELF who we know can do little to nothing.

So we're looking to be back at Christmas then.

Although I think we're a bit old to be sending letters to Santa.

 

[Irish Sky Blue]

One idea that has come up a few times would be to protest inside the Ricoh at a Wasps game. If it were possible to organise for even a hundred City fans to congregate in an agreed part of the stadium, wearing sky blue singing pro CCFC songs. If it was a televised game even better, make sure we were facing the cameras. Doesn’t need to be abusive to Wasps or particularly their “fans”, just needs to be pro CCFC.At least that would be a statement made.It is something like this that the Trust could and should be organising.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

No contact or application from the club about sites. I do think we should periodically email our councillors and put pressure on them to answer honestly. I will go back at some point and ask if they’ve spoken to the club as it’s coventry City we’re talking about and surely they are anxious to have the team back

 

[Skyblueweeman]

10 of us are giving it to Xmas and then stop going unless they announce some concrete plans going forward - Basically build a new stadium (doubtful) or back to the Ricoh (with dates) Were getting fed up of the silent treatment as it makes us as fans feel worthless so will vote with our feet

What if we're top of the league, scoring lots of goals and playing great football?

 

[Irish Sky Blue]

They could just sell players and cut costs though to cover the costs?

Let's face it, the council and Wasps will always say what they want and not be quizzed on it. Duggins has even gloated about it in the past in public.

There's no appetite to pressure ALL sides in this.

What is being said is about putting pressure on all sides including Sisu. I agree that the way that they will fund it will be through the sale of players. That will affect what MR can do on the pitch. As mentioned in the posts I have made above, why are we as a body of fans letting Duggins and Wasps get away with things?

 

[Magwitch]

Imo the point to push first is where is there, or is there a suitable site to build a new ground within our city it puts all parties on the spot. Does it have to be on council owned land ? for example, I’ve mentioned Hearsall Common before which is common land under the control of ccc but next door to the common is a large industrial estate where there’s a couple of empty large units which might be big enough for a HR type ground.

 

[Nick]

What is being said is about putting pressure on all sides including Sisu. I agree that the way that they will fund it will be through the sale of players. That will affect what MR can do on the pitch. As mentioned in the posts I have made above, why are we as a body of fans letting Duggins and Wasps get away with things?

That's the thing, SISU aren't going to put themselves at risk and put themselves on the line are they?

If you are saying it will be funded through the sale of players, how is that distressing SISU?

People let particular sides off because of things like the Telegraph and the Trust who are there just to do the PR for them. Do you think of the Telegraph and Trust went all out against all 3 sides the feeling would be the same?

Look at how the Trust welcomed Wasps in the first place, that set the tone.

 

[bawtryneal]

Does that mean Robins and our players are a ‘puppet of SISU’?


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Huh. A very strange question.

What do you think?

 

[SAJ]

The catalyst for an update will be when something comes back from the European Courts. Until then the position of all will remain the same.

 

[chiefdave]

If they have made serious enquiries and the council are being difficult then it needs to come out in the open.

Duggins slipped up and admitted, after months of denying it, that the club had made serious enquires. The council, as far as we are aware, still haven't responded to those enquiries.

When this came out it was ignored by the Telegraph, CWR and the Trust.