lamtara2006
Member
The 2nd half of the new week brings some critical deadlines that may determine the future of our club, particularly whether we return to the Ricoh.
By Friday 15th, Sisu have to decide whether to apply to the Court of Appeal for leave to appeal against the Judicial Review ruling by Mr Justice Hickinbottom, permission having previously been declined by the Judge. My guess is that this application will be made; however unlikely it may be that an Appeal would be successful, Sisu have no other route to making even a partial recovery of their investment unless they can overturn the earlier decision and consequently proceed with financially distressing ACL. Of course, ACL will not enter into discussions regarding a return to the Ricoh by CCFC while the threat of further litigation remains.
Thursday 14th is the final date for payment of £471K determined by the Football League as the sum to be paid to ACL by Otium regarding the rent arrears from 2012/13. It appears that both sides have accepted the League's ruling, the money is apparently in an Escrow account with Otium's solicitors, therefore there is no reason the money could not be paid tomorrow - or Friday of last week - it seems. But until it is handed over, this outstanding debt remains a hurdle to discussions between ACL and Otium. In the unlikely event of default by Otium, sanctions against the Club remain a possibility.
On Wednesday 13th Coventry City will play the first game at Sixfields this season, the Capital One Cup match against Cardiff City. To my view, there is no possible excuse why this match could not have been played at the Ricoh. Sisu could have accepted weeks ago that they don't stand any chance of winning an Appeal and dropped the hopeless, failed legal action. Otium should have realised that the claim to offset monies paid to ACL by Messrs McGinnity and Robinson under guarantee against the rent arrears was farcical and paid over a substantial proportion of the original debt (£590k) on account, pending the judgement of the Football League. The Football League could have dealt with this matter with a great deal more urgency - after all, the original deadline was 31st May, so why did it take 10 weeks after that date had passed for a decision to be made?
Coventry City Supporters have been totally LET DOWN by all of these parties - strictly, Sisu and Otium are separate entities although clearly the former exercises significant influence on the latter. Some argue that Sky Blues fans have also been LET DOWN by ACL / CCC; while I don't personally agree, I accept that these views are sincerely held by a significant minority. Certainly, if the two stumbling blocks to negotiations - the Appeal and the payment of £471k are removed - ACL would be letting us down if they don't enter into positive discussions to bring about a return to the Ricoh asap.
Because this is such a critical period for Coventry City Supporters, I would urge everyone who can get to Northampton on Wednesday night to be there, either on the Hill or in the ground, to join in the LET DOWN protest. Make our voices heard, let our signs be seen, tell those responsible that we have been LET DOWN. Vocally and visually the 'Fix Football' display at Bradford yesterday was very effective and was achieved with no advanced publicity. On Wednesday, Sky TV cameras will be at Sixfields and will broadcast our efforts, so that will have infinitely more impact. The joint protest with Cardiff City Supporters makes it an even more interesting story for Sky and other media. But of course it will only have the desired impact if large numbers of Supporters are prepared to make the effort to join in. The Sky Blue Trust are running a bus from Nuneaton and Coventry, so transport need not be a problem. Email: [email protected] to book a place.
3 Critical Days in the History of Coventry City: will you play your part or just be a spectator as history unfolds?
By Friday 15th, Sisu have to decide whether to apply to the Court of Appeal for leave to appeal against the Judicial Review ruling by Mr Justice Hickinbottom, permission having previously been declined by the Judge. My guess is that this application will be made; however unlikely it may be that an Appeal would be successful, Sisu have no other route to making even a partial recovery of their investment unless they can overturn the earlier decision and consequently proceed with financially distressing ACL. Of course, ACL will not enter into discussions regarding a return to the Ricoh by CCFC while the threat of further litigation remains.
Thursday 14th is the final date for payment of £471K determined by the Football League as the sum to be paid to ACL by Otium regarding the rent arrears from 2012/13. It appears that both sides have accepted the League's ruling, the money is apparently in an Escrow account with Otium's solicitors, therefore there is no reason the money could not be paid tomorrow - or Friday of last week - it seems. But until it is handed over, this outstanding debt remains a hurdle to discussions between ACL and Otium. In the unlikely event of default by Otium, sanctions against the Club remain a possibility.
On Wednesday 13th Coventry City will play the first game at Sixfields this season, the Capital One Cup match against Cardiff City. To my view, there is no possible excuse why this match could not have been played at the Ricoh. Sisu could have accepted weeks ago that they don't stand any chance of winning an Appeal and dropped the hopeless, failed legal action. Otium should have realised that the claim to offset monies paid to ACL by Messrs McGinnity and Robinson under guarantee against the rent arrears was farcical and paid over a substantial proportion of the original debt (£590k) on account, pending the judgement of the Football League. The Football League could have dealt with this matter with a great deal more urgency - after all, the original deadline was 31st May, so why did it take 10 weeks after that date had passed for a decision to be made?
Coventry City Supporters have been totally LET DOWN by all of these parties - strictly, Sisu and Otium are separate entities although clearly the former exercises significant influence on the latter. Some argue that Sky Blues fans have also been LET DOWN by ACL / CCC; while I don't personally agree, I accept that these views are sincerely held by a significant minority. Certainly, if the two stumbling blocks to negotiations - the Appeal and the payment of £471k are removed - ACL would be letting us down if they don't enter into positive discussions to bring about a return to the Ricoh asap.
Because this is such a critical period for Coventry City Supporters, I would urge everyone who can get to Northampton on Wednesday night to be there, either on the Hill or in the ground, to join in the LET DOWN protest. Make our voices heard, let our signs be seen, tell those responsible that we have been LET DOWN. Vocally and visually the 'Fix Football' display at Bradford yesterday was very effective and was achieved with no advanced publicity. On Wednesday, Sky TV cameras will be at Sixfields and will broadcast our efforts, so that will have infinitely more impact. The joint protest with Cardiff City Supporters makes it an even more interesting story for Sky and other media. But of course it will only have the desired impact if large numbers of Supporters are prepared to make the effort to join in. The Sky Blue Trust are running a bus from Nuneaton and Coventry, so transport need not be a problem. Email: [email protected] to book a place.
3 Critical Days in the History of Coventry City: will you play your part or just be a spectator as history unfolds?
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) with this. I wish more would at least try an get a united front rather than try and split fans into categories.
