Proud of the Ricoh? (5 Viewers)

[Moff]

Leicester is a very pertinent comparison for me living in this corner of Sth West Leics. Last weekend saw their football team crush Derby to stay top, the Rugby team reached the last 8 of the European Cup and their basketball team won the cup at a packed NIA. I'll tell you what though the people really get behind their sports teams over there ! It was at least a feather in our cap to actually have a better football stadium than them with louder and prouder vocal support..................until SISU gave us the Sixfields morgue that is !

Totally agree. The Leicester public seem to really get behind their teams.

I seem to remember that in the late 80's early 90's we regularly beat them on attendances, but with Martin O'Neills sustained success and then later regular promotion/relegation it seemed to bring their fans back, as compared to the lure of successive mediocrity for us. Thus our attendances fell, and then imploded when we left our home City.

 

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[diggerdaley]

I have spent every Saturday this season watching non-league football & the thought of watching City in the Ricoh is the stuff of dreams

 

[Ashdown1]

There is a nice large statue in the City centre showing a cricketer, footballer and rugby player together from a few years back when all 3 teams I think won their respective leagues !

 

[jimmyhillsfanclub]

That’s fair enough and I pretty much agree with your sentiments. At least you’ve put forward your reasons why unlike the OP. Do you feel embarrassed by the Ricoh though?

Do you not feel embarrassed, almost ashamed, that as far as a stadium to be proud of is concerned, we’re plumbing the depths in our current situation at Sixfields.

Metaphorically speaking, I wouldn’t be seen dead at Sixfields.

No, I don't feel embarrassed or ashamed about it either...

...as I expressed in my initial post, its just a building to me....I'm not an architect so I'm not bothered.....its an OK stadium for football, better than some of the other modern stadia of similar size, but without CCFC playing there, its just a building...so I have not feelings towards it whatsoever.



Example: I saw the Pixies, Blur, Nirvana & the Stone Roses etc. live back in the 80's/90's when they were all young & relevant,...

..whilst I (sort of) remember where I saw them, I don't give a shit about the venues.....but I still love the music.

 

[GaryPendrysEyes]

I guess this takes us back to whether you have pride in Coventry as a city- including its facilities, buildings, history etc. as well as its football team. I am a Cov kid, always will be, and want the city [in general] to do well.

 

[Mary_Mungo_Midge]

I guess this takes us back to whether you have pride in Coventry as a city- including its facilities, buildings, history etc. as well as its football team. I am a Cov kid, always will be, and want the city [in general] to do well.

Maybe a generational thing too, GPE. Growing up, for me, the biggest draw in Coventry was a go on the 'Witch's Hat' at Coombe Abbey. These young feckers want the world, and then some

 

[im-confused]

I love the Ricoh. There was nothing better than watching football in that place! I am NOT proud of what's happening to the club. I am NOT proud of the club's owners, and I am NOT proud of how the fans have been split right down the middle.

 

[@richh87]

I guess this takes us back to whether you have pride in Coventry as a city- including its facilities, buildings, history etc. as well as its football team. I am a Cov kid, always will be, and want the city [in general] to do well.

I agree GPE - if people don't have pride about where they are from then that's their issue.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Nick]

People must be struggling to read the question.

 

[GaryPendrysEyes]

Maybe a generational thing too, GPE. Growing up, for me, the biggest draw in Coventry was a go on the 'Witch's Hat' at Coombe Abbey. These young feckers want the world, and then some

Yep maybe MMM. Would be interesting to do an age profile on here, and who was born in Cov. Might explain some of the divisions..
Being from Radford, Coombe was always an exciting bike ride out-- and corley rocks...

 

[GaryPendrysEyes]

People must be struggling to read the question.

or maybe you are just in a small minority as per usual? - pride in the city, is for many reflected in a pride for the Ricoh and the hope it does well-- as well as the football team.

 

[Nick]

Minority of being able to read I guess as half the answers have nothing to do with the question.

 

[The Gentleman]

Minority of being able to read I guess as half the answers have nothing to do with the question.

Like that ever makes a difference on this forum, are you saying that although the question states "are you proud of the Ricoh", does that mean that we are not allowed to talk about related things in Coventry?

 

[Nick]

Like that ever makes a difference on this forum

Exactly my point. Somebody could ask what day it was and the answer would be SISU OUT / Council OUT etc. Maybe it is just I have been using forums for years but threads usually need to stay on topic (or create a new different one).

Anyway, before this goes off topic about being off topic ( I am guilty of this sometimes also, but would ideally like to run a tighter ship) I think it is just about the Ricoh as a building.

Sometimes we have great threads / debates where both sides put across good points which just get ruined with the same old arguments.

 

[mds]

Like it or not, im proud of my roots, my City and anything that promotes it in a positive light, i think the Ricoh does this quite well.
Damn Right Im Proud!



Edit. The football side of things is embarrasing, but that wasnt the question!

 

[GaryPendrysEyes]

Exactly my point. Somebody could ask what day it was and the answer would be SISU OUT / Council OUT etc. Maybe it is just I have been using forums for years but threads usually need to stay on topic (or create a new different one).

Anyway, before this goes off topic about being off topic I think it is just about the Ricoh as a building.

I trust you didnt pass your GCSE in English comprehension then?, especially seeing I guess you know Edgy and his views.
I personally thought the thread was a decent discussion, but feel free to piss all over it then moan at everyone else- just because you dont agree with it conclusions.

 

[Mary_Mungo_Midge]

Yep maybe MMM. Would be interesting to do an age profile on here, and who was born in Cov. Might explain some of the divisions..
Being from Radford, Coombe was always an exciting bike ride out-- and corley rocks...

Born just opposite the Binley Mega Chippy; and lived off the Clifford Bridge Road until about '77. The Coombe Abbey witch's hat, and concrete tubes were but a short 'tracker' ride away!

 

[slyblue57]

No not proud at all at the moment.
I just see it as a large white elephant doing nothing for the City of Coventry. Its supposed to be
a football stadium is nt it. A football stadium with add ons like a Casino,Hotel etc but a Football stadium.
The Council have stated they are facing terrible cuts in funding yet will not sell the stadium. Why?
They certainly sell other now empty properties.
Sell the Stadium to whoever wants it, not necessarily Sisu / Otium but sell the bloody thing and refill the
Council coffers for the benefit of the City.
No i do nt support Sisu/Otium , no I dont support CCC / ACL. I do nt go to Northampton I do go to away
games ,fully support kcic.
Pusb

 

[mark82]

You're all too quick to respond and shout at someone with a differing view, without actually thinking about what they've actually asked.

CCFC is what makes the Ricoh. It's nothing without us. What's to be proud of?

Absolutely agree. It needs the team and the fans in it.

 

[GaryPendrysEyes]

Born just opposite the Binley Mega Chippy; and lived off the Clifford Bridge Road until about '77. The Coombe Abbey witch's hat, and concrete tubes were but a short 'tracker' ride away!

Haha. Actually born near the Phantom Coach pub [ok in Keresley hospital]- but lived off Beake avenue for 20 years... the high and low mounts were our local 'action'- not that much action to be fair!

 

[Ashdown1]

Born just opposite the Binley Mega Chippy; and lived off the Clifford Bridge Road until about '77. The Coombe Abbey witch's hat, and concrete tubes were but a short 'tracker' ride away!

You must surely remember when the main water at Coombe was open as a boating lake. We used to bike from Burbage, via Cropston Magna [ To gorge ourselves at the Strawberry farm} to Coombe whence we would hire a couple of row boats or canoes on the lake, it usually ended up in a water fight and our trying to dry out on the ride home. Happy days and I was as fit as a flea back then of course !

 

[Mary_Mungo_Midge]

The Council have stated they are facing terrible cuts in funding yet will not sell the stadium. Why?
They certainly sell other now empty properties.

They see the Ricoh and surrounding lands as being central to their plans for the regeneration of the City; and notwithstanding the stance of the football club in recent seasons, have been successful in doing so. The whole complex brings people to the city to spend their cash here and generate jobs for local people. They don't want to lose control of that even at this phase, let alone the potential yet to come.

What if the council long term vision is to generate, saay 500 jobs there and take revenue in so doing? Selling that to a third party - especially one who's administered something like SISU have our club - could jeopardise that, couldn't it? What if they did so and the whole thing fell apart, and you were one of the 90% of the tax payers of Coventry who don't attend the football, but who were interested in the jobs and revenue the regeneration plan could bring?

 

[pusbccfc]

I love the Ricoh. Whether it's for Coventry City or any other events.

It did wonders to the city during the Olympics.

 

[slyblue57]

They see the Ricoh and surrounding lands as being central to their plans for the regeneration of the City; and notwithstanding the stance of the football club in recent seasons, have been successful in doing so. The whole complex brings people to the city to spend their cash here and generate jobs for local people. They don't want to lose control of that even at this phase, let alone the potential yet to come.

What if the council long term vision is to generate, saay 500 jobs there and take revenue in so doing? Selling that to a third party - especially one who's administered something like SISU have our club - could jeopardise that, couldn't it? What if they did so and the whole thing fell apart, and you were one of the 90% of the tax payers of Coventry who don't attend the football, but who were interested in the jobs and revenue the regeneration plan could bring?

Sell the Stadium not the surrounding land etc.
I d love to see 5,50,500 jobs created but they wo nt be in the Stadium will they. Maybe a few part time stewards for the extra pop concert or two. They can replace the jobs lost by no football or other team playing there. Why have nt the Council ordered a report into the loss of revenue to the City of Coventry by retaining the Stadium without a football team ?
The 90% of Coventrians who do nt watch or have an interest in football would surely be a lot happier with the money generated from a sale used to support Council services. Its a pity we do nt know how many of those people actually thought a £14 million stake in ACL was a good idea.
As i said not necessarily a sale to Sisu / Otium, but deffinately a sale.
Pusb

 

[SkyBlueHomer]

Ricoh is a superb stadium. When we go up north always positive comments for other supporters.

Highfield Road was 'past it'. True it did have the history but it had 100 years start on the Ricoh. It doesn't help though probably our worse run as a club as coincided with this move to the Ricoh

 

[simple_simon]

I am very proud of the Ricoh being in Coventry.

 

[Grendel]

If the club don't play there again I have no interest in it. I'd refuse to go near it again. It could burn down for all I care.

 

[Mary_Mungo_Midge]

Sell the Stadium not the surrounding land etc.
I d love to see 5,50,500 jobs created but they wo nt be in the Stadium will they. Maybe a few part time stewards for the extra pop concert or two. They can replace the jobs lost by no football or other team playing there. Why have nt the Council ordered a report into the loss of revenue to the City of Coventry by retaining the Stadium without a football team ?
The 90% of Coventrians who do nt watch or have an interest in football would surely be a lot happier with the money generated from a sale used to support Council services. Its a pity we do nt know how many of those people actually thought a £14 million stake in ACL was a good idea.
As i said not necessarily a sale to Sisu / Otium, but deffinately a sale.
Pusb

But how do you sell 'the stadium'? Do you mean the football bit, but excluding the conference hall, hotel and casino? If so, what about the 'football bit' when concerts are held in there? It's not as easy as that. Looking at ACL's business model as reported - and let's not debate it's accuracy as that's another argument, but it's plans are audited -the football-related turnover is only 20 to 30% of it's turnover. If that's the case, why does the owner of the football club have a divine right to the balance of the business?

What's better is for the council to own the freehold, and have a tenant with access to all incomes on a long lease with fair rentals. To achieve this, SISU would have to buy the Higgs share of ACL (which they've already been offered), and badger CCC for the balance; and assistance in negotiating the novation of the Compass contract. Pay a fair price, and do it.

We get the council continuing to regenerate the area, the football club has a huge turnover - helping with FFP - and traction from a business (ACL) that has been building revenues in recent times

 

[Grendel]

But how do you sell 'the stadium'? Do you mean the football bit, but excluding the conference hall, hotel and casino? If so, what about the 'football bit' when concerts are held in there? It's not as easy as that. Looking at ACL's business model as reported - and let's not debate it's accuracy as that's another argument, but it's plans are audited -the football-related turnover is only 20 to 30% of it's turnover. If that's the case, why does the owner of the football club have a divine right to the balance of the business?

What's better is for the council to own the freehold, and have a tenant with access to all incomes on a long lease with fair rentals. To achieve this, SISU would have to buy the Higgs adhere of ACL (which they've already been offered), and badger CCC for the balance; and assistance in negotiating the novation of the Compass contract. Pay a fair price, and do it.

We get the council continuing to regenerate the area, the football club has a huge turnover - helping with FFP - and traction from a business (ACL) that has been building revenues in recent times

I thought the Higgs part isn't for sale?

 

[Huckerby]

I always liked it, people slate it calling its soulless and has a terrible atmosphere.
Well yeah when you have 11,000 people in a stadium thats designed to hold 3 times that its not going to be rocking is it

 

[Mary_Mungo_Midge]

I thought the Higgs part isn't for sale?

It was. I revert you to late 2012. To quote PWKH: 'The Charity’s position is clear. If and when there is a sensible offer from a potential purchaser the Trustees will sell'

That clear enough for you?

 

[rondog1973]

Love it, certainly not embarrassed by it. When I drive past on the M6 and glance at it, as do millions upon millions of people each year, I'm always struck by what an impressive structure it looks. Increases the profile of the city if you ask me and whilst I didn't dislike Highfield Rd, the thing I miss most about it were the pubs in the surrounding environs and it's proximity to the city centre. As a stadium, the Ricoh pisses all over it.

 

[torchomatic]

As a mult-purpose venue it pisses all over HR maybe, but not as a football stadium. In my opinion anyway.

As a stadium, the Ricoh pisses all over it.

 

[AJB1983]

For the city of Coventry to have such a venue with the high profile events it has held in its short lifespan up to now should make people proud, like having a football club does.

I am proud of it, as someone who grew up in that area, as a coventrian, as a CCFC fan.
I've had some great times there not just at city matches and those memories will live long....therefore to compare it to highfield rd on that basis is fair. Every time I am at the shopping park there I look up at it in awe, remembering what used to be there and do now think 'what a shame'
After all highfield rd was just a building too, it's the memories that make a place special, and for me the Ricoh has those too.

 

[sky blue zam]

i love the ricoh, some nights on the way to work last year i drove past thinking wow bruce springsteen is in there or muse is in there, the year before was the olympics was there the year before was kings of leon and so on.

would any of these things happen if the ricoh hadnt of been built. built just for ccfc, i dont think so. origanally designed for them but redesigned and built for the city of coventry.

just hope they dont call it the city of coventry stadium when the ricoh deal finishes