Coventry City Supporters Forum
Minutes from the Meeting on the 17thJanuary 2024
1. Apologies for absence
Alan Ludford – Diamond Club
Pat Raybould – Family Zone
Kevin Heffernen – Irish Branch
Steve Harding – Bedworth & Nuneaton
Dave Eyles – SB Trust
Darren Cowley – Southam
2. New Statue of John Sillett and George Curtis at the CBS – Joe Elliot
Joe gave the forum a detailed account of the origins of the idea to build a statue to commemorate John Sillett and George Curtis recognising the idea presented to him by Pete Griffiths. He went to explain the statue would tell a story of a major part of Coventry City’s history.
Joe explained substantial funds (£151,000) had already been raised, but a further £65,000 needed to be raised. (gofundmepage link below). Joe explained all Forum Members could help spread the word about the statue and how supporters can contribute to fill the funding gap. This included getting your name on the plinth of the statue if you donate £500.00. Joe is happy for individuals to contact him directly if they have any questions (details below). There will be various fundraising events during the next 12 months.
Fundraiser by Coventry City Football Club : Fund a Statue for George Curtis and John Sillett (gofundme.com)
Ccfc.co.uk/statue-appeal
3. Equality and Diversity (EFL Mandate) – John Taylor / Dave Boddy
John introduced himself and said what an honour it is to join the great club. He’s been made to feel so welcome over the first week and a half.
He’s passionate and the club are passionate about E & D. There’s an EFL mandate, we want to go further than the mandate. Club will be sending out a questionnaire to all season ticket holders. Within this there will be an incentive to collect this data. John is keen to get Forum members and other supporters involved to get working groups together to progress this area of our club. The Club want this to be a partnership between the club and supporters.
Tynan asked that we encourage all supporters to complete this survey.
Dave mentioned safeguarding – brief update – All home matchdays this season there have been 4 dedicated safeguarding officers within the stadium bowl. There have been no major safeguarding issues. There have been minor issues that have been resolved on the day. We have a full time Head of Safeguarding at the club and a dedicated full time Safeguarding position at the academy.
4. Club up-date by Doug King
We’re moving ahead with the next phases of the structure of the club.
Ryton development – pitches completed, second phase of all things other than the building. Infrastructure over the next 4 months. Beginning a plan to ensure Ryton provides what is required to get to where we intend to be.
Moving the non-football staff to the arena from March. Focus on what is needed in working closely with the Arena. New office being kitted out over the next 6 weeks.
Appointed a performance director from 1 Feb – Dr. Clare-Marie Roberts. Want to look holistically at all aspects of support and care for our playing squad working in tandem with the coaches and the football coaches / managers. To become the elite professional football club we aim to be
Player side – Victor Torp come in in January – rare occurrence as it’s normally loan players in this window. We only have one loan player. Rotation side of players is a challenge to keep everybody involved and motivated to feeling involved and included.
Run has been excellent since the November break. Real strength of character growing throughout the team.
5. Up-date on Safe Standing Area for 2024-25 – Dave Boddy
Dave advised since the last meeting there has been a change of direction on safe standing. Talked about reconfiguring the away end. As the club moves towards bigger home crowds we have a lot of wasted seats due to the current configuration of the concourse in the South Stand. Lots of work has been going on to reduce the lost seats in the away end and reducing the away capacity.
The safe standing provision has been put on hold until this has been decided, not to say this is going away but both are major pieces of work that need to be done correctly.
Doug said lots of work is going on to optimise the number of seats sold in the stadium on match days. The last 3 games have sold out the general admission for the home end.
Any changes to the away configuration will be from next season.
Jim Brown asked whether we will see 31,000 attendances. Dave said yes of course when the reconfiguration has been completed.
6. Responses to submitted questions – Dave Boddy/John Taylor
On separate document
7. Family Zone up-date – Laura Smith
Jodie update –The new marquee is working really well as a home for the Family Zone. They are still providing all the activities they have done. They need more volunteers – Ifsupporters are interested there is a volunteer form on the CCFC website to complete.
8. Dates for future meetings – All
Colin would like some structured dates so that plans can be made to attend by all groups either in person or on teams. Dave B doesn’t disagree and it would be useful to agree dates in advance. Doug is keen to be involved so through his PA would be a way to do this. John agreed.
John to look at dates with at least one as a face to facemeeting. Next meeting likely to be in April as there should now be 4 a year now.
Challenge from Tynan to increase the diversity of the representatives of our group. Suggestion to bring a less experienced colleague along from our supporters clubs to the face to face meetings
9. Any Other Business
Thanks from the forum to Dave Boddy for his work as CEO of the club and best of luck for any new ventures he may go to.