Resolution 2 proposed by Bruce Walker
The Trust can no longer sit on the fence while our Club is being destroyed. The Trust must represent and give voice to its members, and in particular must:
1. Call for a complete supporters' boycott of City matches at Sixfields.
2. Increase pressure on the Football League to bring about a return of the Club to the Ricoh Arena from the start of the 2014/15 season, by using their powers to encourage the Club and its owners to enter into negotiations with Coventry City Council, ACL and other interested parties who could facilitate such a return, and to ensure that any proposed return is approved by the League as quickly as possible.
3. Take over the www.FixFootball.co.uk petition and use the Trust's fighting fund, other resources and links with Supporters Direct and other fan groups to promote it.
4. Start a campaign of contacting known or suspected SISU investors, drawing their attention to the current position
Everyone entitled to their opinion and I accept the rights to that and to propose such motions
So the assumption is that there has never been any straight talking aimed at SISU in particular or any of the other participants in this farce then. If the Trust was so acquiescent why was there a threat of legal action, the owners refusing to talk, threats to remove from the SCG, etc. Motions are easy at an AGM but what comes next is what matters. How are they followed through and by who - the people who proposed it perhaps? or is it the Trust Board to do that - what if they disagree with it?
1) call for a complete boycott - just how exactly are the Trust in a position to stop people going if they so choose? (I fundamentally object to stopping freedom of choice in any case but that's another discussion) So without some form of enforcement this is just more words. Any sort of enforcement is likely to be confrontational and leave those involved (including the Trust Board) at risk of prosecution. Not to mention how it splits further our fan base. What is the expected result from this because like it or not CCFC do not rely on the match receipts - they made this years budget out of selling Wilson & Christie. Do more empty words really help?
2) so the assumption is that the Trust have not been putting pressure on the FL then? The FL if they are so minded can encourage certainly but they cannot force or impose a solution on ACL or SISU. If SISU wanted back then what steps have they taken to do so? The FL will not force a member to accept a deal that the member feels it can not afford. The FL has no real relationship or power over ACL. Do we think the Trust has never raised these issues before? Do the FL really want to talk to the Trust or do they fob them off repeatedly?
3) the petition. Sorry to be harsh but it is a dead duck. It stands at 19,148 in six months. It doesn't close till next January - do we want to wait that long?
4) So who are these investors to be contacted - any one got a client list? Do you really think the Trust hasn't tried to find out in the past? Do you think those investors really care about a small part of a huge investment portfolio that is at least now paying them interest?
So we have basically a campaign of more words but instead of any sort of balance purely directed in one direction. The effect of this would be? If SISU were really bothered about what the fans think they would have changed tack a long time ago. People need to strip away the emotion to deal with SISU - there is no emotion for them it is the numbers in a long term plan with a set objective that counts. CCFC is just a tool
Right now I think the emotions of the situation are being used and fed by SISU to build up a head of steam that they hope will be directed at ACL and CCC to fall over and do any deal to settle the saga. Ask yourself has there been any approach - then ask why. It comes back to CCFC will come back when SISU are good and ready - it wont be because of fans pressure on them it will be because they have exhausted all their options financially and legally
But hey it will all be the fault of the Trust who sit round doing nothing and are totally clueless as to what is going on - :sarcasm: The reality is they(the Trust Board) know and understand far better than most what is going on and because of that carry more frustration on the process than most can imagine. Knee jerk shouty reactions might make some feel better but are likely to achieve nothing.
Nothing achieved by the Trust by being balanced is the cry - really? The March x 2 wasn't an achievement? the Q&A's wasn't an achievement? The freedom of information on the mystery site? The information gained and given to fans and members wasn't an achievement? Actually having regular access to all parties wasn't an achievement? ........... Information is key in this it allows the lies to be exposed. Yes the Trust have made mistakes, you tell me who hasn't but they have achieved more than some realise and fans know a lot more because of that.
Frankly I can see the Trust returning to what it was 3 years ago and being cut off from the club - the very thing its constitution is at pains to point out it should have a relationship with
The art of a good campaign is to know the opposition, set realistic targets, apply effective pressure, keep it focussed and inclusive. Not just throw the kitchen sink at it
frustrations vented
Sorry if that upsets some but just my opinion