Latest SBT statement (4 Viewers)

[Otis]

There has been much rumour, speculation, guess work and conjecture concerning the story that appeared in the Coventry Telegraph about Wasps rugby club taking a controlling interest in ACL, the current leaseholders and management company of the Ricoh Arena. The Sky Blue Trust has spent the past few days talking, formally and informally, to all the major parties involved including ACL, Coventry Council and CCFC to see what the actual facts are of this matter and if there are any grounds for concern for Coventry City fans both in the short and long term.

Officially neither the Council nor ACL would confirm or deny that any talks were taking place. As we understand it however there have been talks but not with Wasps rugby club but with a consortium headed up by Derek Richardson, the owner of Wasps. Mr Richardson is London based Irish multi-millionaire businessman. He was the founder of 123.ie, Ireland’s first online insurance company which was sold to RSA insurance for a report £45 million. The deal appears to be for the entire Higgs Charity share and most of the council share in ACL. ACL would carry on trading as it is just with new ownership and all current contracts would be honoured, including the existing 2 year + 2year extension deal that CCFC have in place. Therefore there is no danger of CCFC being evicted or turfed out for the next four years at least.

CCFC have said that they have not been informed of any negotiations that may have been or are taking place but as is typical with this type of deal it is likely that non-disclosure agreements will have been signed by all parties. However there had been no hint of anything like this during the 5 weeks that the current day renter deal had taken to negotiate with ACL. As far as the football club is concerned it has a 2+2 deal and fully expects to be at the Ricoh for the next four years – what happens during that time by way of contract extensions etc is something for the future but the current priority is getting back to playing at the Ricoh and getting fans through the turnstiles. The club maintains it current stance regarding the importance of stadium ownership and revenues and, to date, has not made any statement about any cessation of plans to build its own ground.

Whilst we have not been in direct contact with Coventry RFC or Wasps RFC we are lead to believe that the major concern of CRFC is not the arrival of Wasps to play at the Ricoh as they believe their fan base is loyal and will stay with them at the Butts, especially as Wasps are likely to be playing on different days to Cov. Their major concern centres around the development squad situation. Each major team such as Wasps has links with a junior team with respect to player development etc and it appears that whilst Cov were approached by Wasps about such an arrangement Mosely RFC have been far more eager to partner with Wasps and as such could leave Cov out in the cold. We understand that such a development deal can be worth upwards of £50,000 per season to the junior club.

In summary

1. There do appear to be talks going on about the sale of 90% of ACL to a consortium headed up by the owner of Wasps Rugby club
2. CCFC effectively have a 4 year deal to stay at the Ricoh and this will be honoured by whoever the owners of ACL are
3. CCFC’s current priority is not new long term deals but getting fans into the Ricoh
4. Coventry RFC are concerned about the development partnership with Wasps being done with Moseley and not Cov

Since the Summer of 2013, the Sky Blue Trust had a short-term priority to get the Club back to the Ricoh Arena. Now that has been achieved, our immediate priority is to make sure they stay there in the long-term. The Sky Blue Trust will continue to question all sides about this and other matters and bring the facts to the attention of its members and Coventry City supporters in general.

 

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[Otis]

So, sounds like we won't just get kicked out and current arrangements would remain the same.

4 years at the Ricoh. Plenty of time to build their corrugated cardboard stadium in the middle of nowhere.

 

[Otis]

There has been much rumour, speculation, guess work and conjecture concerning the story that appeared in the Coventry Telegraph about Wasps rugby club taking a controlling interest in ACL, the current leaseholders and management company of the Ricoh Arena. The Sky Blue Trust has spent the past few days talking, formally and informally, to all the major parties involved including ACL, Coventry Council and CCFC to see what the actual facts are of this matter and if there are any grounds for concern for Coventry City fans both in the short and long term.

Officially neither the Council nor ACL would confirm or deny that any talks were taking place. As we understand it however there have been talks but not with Wasps rugby club but with a consortium headed up by Derek Richardson, the owner of Wasps. Mr Richardson is London based Irish multi-millionaire businessman. He was the founder of 123.ie, Ireland’s first online insurance company which was sold to RSA insurance for a report £45 million. The deal appears to be for the entire Higgs Charity share and most of the council share in ACL. ACL would carry on trading as it is just with new ownership and all current contracts would be honoured, including the existing 2 year + 2year extension deal that CCFC have in place. Therefore there is no danger of CCFC being evicted or turfed out for the next four years at least.

CCFC have said that they have not been informed of any negotiations that may have been or are taking place but as is typical with this type of deal it is likely that non-disclosure agreements will have been signed by all parties. However there had been no hint of anything like this during the 5 weeks that the current day renter deal had taken to negotiate with ACL. As far as the football club is concerned it has a 2+2 deal and fully expects to be at the Ricoh for the next four years – what happens during that time by way of contract extensions etc is something for the future but the current priority is getting back to playing at the Ricoh and getting fans through the turnstiles. The club maintains it current stance regarding the importance of stadium ownership and revenues and, to date, has not made any statement about any cessation of plans to build its own ground.

Whilst we have not been in direct contact with Coventry RFC or Wasps RFC we are lead to believe that the major concern of CRFC is not the arrival of Wasps to play at the Ricoh as they believe their fan base is loyal and will stay with them at the Butts, especially as Wasps are likely to be playing on different days to Cov. Their major concern centres around the development squad situation. Each major team such as Wasps has links with a junior team with respect to player development etc and it appears that whilst Cov were approached by Wasps about such an arrangement Mosely RFC have been far more eager to partner with Wasps and as such could leave Cov out in the cold. We understand that such a development deal can be worth upwards of £50,000 per season to the junior club.

In summary

1. There do appear to be talks going on about the sale of 90% of ACL to a consortium headed up by the owner of Wasps Rugby club
2. CCFC effectively have a 4 year deal to stay at the Ricoh and this will be honoured by whoever the owners of ACL are
3. CCFC’s current priority is not new long term deals but getting fans into the Ricoh
4. Coventry RFC are concerned about the development partnership with Wasps being done with Moseley and not Cov

Since the Summer of 2013, the Sky Blue Trust had a short-term priority to get the Club back to the Ricoh Arena. Now that has been achieved, our immediate priority is to make sure they stay there in the long-term. The Sky Blue Trust will continue to question all sides about this and other matters and bring the facts to the attention of its members and Coventry City supporters in general.

As a few of us said a few days ago, let's wait and see if we can find out more info and now at least it does look like we have got that and a bit more meat on the bones. The Cov rugby thing doesn't seem to hold the same argument as the other day now does it. If this report above is true it seems they are more unhappy with a link between Wasps and Mosley than not wanting Wasps here as their permanent home.

 

[chiefdave]

So essentially ACL would have new owners, all existing contracts would be honoured and I'm sure Wasps will at least play their European games there. Looking at Wasps forum they don't seem exactly up in arms and Cov RFC seem to be more concerned they might have been a bit slow off the mark and missed the boat than anything else.

SISU really need to come out and say they want an ownership stake, the longer they don't and keep going on about only being here 2-4 years before moving to a new stadium the worse they are making the situation.

 

[Skybluechick]

So now you know all this what are your next plans? Are the trust gonna ask its members whether they shud fight against the planned take over by wasps what about being the main tenant of the arena re football league ccfc cud loose the golden share. This announcemwnt sounds like you are happy with wasps taking over, id like to know exactly what the council has said as they have stayed quite throughtout this whole mess!

 

[Otis]

So now you know all this what are your next plans? Are the trust gonna ask its members whether they shud fight against the planned take over by wasps what about being the main tenant of the arena re football league ccfc cud loose the golden share. This announcemwnt sounds like you are happy with wasps taking over, id like to know exactly what the council has said as they have stayed quite throughtout this whole mess!

I didn't read that as the SBT being happy with Wasps taking over, Skybluechick. Where does it say that?

 

[dongonzalos]

Simple then SISU do what absolutely every man and their dog, cat, rabbit and hamster knew they should have done in the first place.

Be honest about the attractiveness of owning ACL like a certain business man does.

Step up to the mantle and pay the going rate get promotion get on the fringes of the championship play offs sell the lot.

 

[Grendel]

Simple then SISU do what absolutely every man and their dog, cat, rabbit and hamster knew they should have done in the first place.

Be honest about the attractiveness of owning ACL like a certain business man does.

Step up to the mantle and pay the going rate get promotion get on the fringes of the championship play offs sell the lot.

Why do you think ACL are suddenly desperate to sell? I thought it was a gold mine that would increase in value.

 

[chiefdave]

So now you know all this what are your next plans? Are the trust gonna ask its members whether they shud fight against the planned take over by wasps what about being the main tenant of the arena re football league ccfc cud loose the golden share. This announcemwnt sounds like you are happy with wasps taking over, id like to know exactly what the council has said as they have stayed quite throughtout this whole mess!

To me any protests either about Wasps moving or associated issues for Cov RFC should be initiated by their fans, we should support them fully in any way we can but I don't feel it's our place to organise things on their behalf.

So that only leaves us protesting about a business deal. Are we not basically saying the Ricoh shouldn't be sold to anyone but us while at the same time our owners are saying we are only here temporarily and our building a new stadium? If you're in the position of CCC & Higgs what do you do?

It would be a concern if we couldn't meet FL regulations regarding priority but for all we know we don't have that priority at the moment and one of the FL's famous exceptions have been made. If it's in the contract between ACL and the club for the next 4 years and all contracts are being honoured it's not going to be a problem.

 

[Grendel]

To me any protests either about Wasps moving or associated issues for Cov RFC should be initiated by their fans, we should support them fully in any way we can but I don't feel it's our place to organise things on their behalf.

So that only leaves us protesting about a business deal. Are we not basically saying the Ricoh shouldn't be sold to anyone but us while at the same time our owners are saying we are only here temporarily and our building a new stadium? If you're in the position of CCC & Higgs what do you do?

It would be a concern if we couldn't meet FL regulations regarding priority but for all we know we don't have that priority at the moment and one of the FL's famous exceptions have been made. If it's in the contract between ACL and the club for the next 4 years and all contracts are being honoured it's not going to be a problem.

So in principal you have no issue about franchise sport then?

Also you have no thoughts regarding any impact in the existing rugby team?

Extraordinary comment

 

[covmark]

The community asset could be in the hands of a London based consortium. I'm surprised this site hasn't gone into meltdown.

 

[stupot07]

I think CRFC are misjudging the impact it will have on it's fanbase. It's lot about the existing fanbase but the capacity to attract new fans and grow the fanbase. Given the choice young rugby fans, Uni students, etc will choose watching top flight and European rugby over than popping down the butts. This won't happen of we night but will be a drip drip effect.

And what about the medium to long term future of the club? Potentially massive implications.

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[Jack Griffin]

Why do you think ACL are suddenly desperate to sell? I thought it was a gold mine that would increase in value.

Last year you were screaming that councils shouldn't own stadium management companies, now you express faux upset that they're selling & may lose out on increase in value.

 

[Limey]

Sick of this shit. More non-statments then, woopy doo.

 

[theferret]

Don't understand why so many people are sitting on the fence until they know the 'details'. Why? We know Wasps are actively trying to secure ownership of the Ricoh. That's all you need to know, we don't any more 'details'. People should be screaming from the rooftops about this, it would be a disaster for the football club, quite possibly the worst thing that has ever happened to it.

Some people complain the Ricoh doesn't feel like home as it is. Lord knows how they'll cope when they are sitting in yellow seats surrounded by Wasps paraphernalia.

 

[Otis]

I think CRFC are misjudging the impact it will have on it's fanbase. It's lot about the existing fanbase but the capacity to attract new fans and grow the fanbase. Given the choice young rugby fans, Uni students, etc will choose watching top flight and European rugby over than popping down the butts. This won't happen of we night but will be a drip drip effect.

And what about the medium to long term future of the club? Potentially massive implications.

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Agree with that, Stu. Very naive thinking here of CRFC I would say.

You would think that the next generation of Coventry born rugby fans could well turn out to become Wasps fans in the future.

 

[letsallsingtogether]

So you keep sprouting on about Franchise football.

That's great coming from a sixfielder.......

And you are happy for CCFC to move away from the City and build a new ground outside the City?

So in principal you have no issue about franchise sport then?

Also you have no thoughts regarding any impact in the existing rugby team?

Extraordinary comment

 

[torchomatic]

Simple really; double-standards.

The community asset could be in the hands of a London based consortium. I'm surprised this site hasn't gone into meltdown.

 

[covmark]

So you keep sprouting on about Franchise football.

That's great coming from a sixfielder.......

And you are happy for CCFC to move away from the City and build a new ground outside the City?

You were also a sixfielder, just a tight one who didn't pay to watch.

 

[Broken Hearted Sky Blue]

The community asset could be in the hands of a London based consortium. I'm surprised this site hasn't gone into meltdown.

Why? After all most people on this site think a London based hedgefund should have it. By the way I am totally against it and will demonstrate against it.

 

[Otis]

Don't understand why so many people are sitting on the fence until they know the 'details'. Why? We know Wasps are actively trying to secure ownership of the Ricoh. That's all you need to know, we don't any more 'details'. People should be screaming from the rooftops about this, it would be a disaster for the football club, quite possibly the worst thing that has ever happened to it.

Some people complain the Ricoh doesn't feel like home as it is. Lord knows how they'll cope when they are sitting in yellow seats surrounded by Wasps paraphernalia.

We don't know it will be a disaster, ferret. We may well think it will be, but how can you say that with any certainty? No certainty either that there will be yellow seats put in.

So much of this is still conjecture and gueswork and rumour and speculation, as the SBT statement quite rightly says. We don't know what caveats will be in place and I have said already, I simply cannot see CCC doing the dirty on Coventry City Football Club.

I honestly don't think I am sitting on the fence here. I am against franchising, but at the same time I want what is best for the Sky Blues.That is the priority. That also has to be the priority for CCC, to look after the interests of the people of Coventry and it now seems CRFC aren't quite as pee'd off about Wasps coming here as we first thought.

If this secures CCFC's future at the Ricoh for years to come I would take that, though that would be with a heavy heart if Wasps fans and Cov rugby suffer as a result.

It's not as black and white as some make out I don't think. I believe you can want what is best for the football club and the people of Coventry and still be opposed to franchising.

I would be against any franchise but as a Coventry kid and a City fan I would accept it if it secured our future. Doesn't mean it's right or that I am for it. I would accept it with a heavy heart. I would be against the principal of a franchise but wouldn't actively oppose it in this case.

In the order of priorites I want what is best for Coventry City and for the city fo Coventry. Wish we didn't have this mess, but we do. I would have tremendous sympathy with Wasps fans if their club is brought here against their will for sure, but I could never see me boycotting Coventry City games played here at home in our own city.

It's such a mess as I say. I find the whole thing frustrating and saddening.

 

[letsallsingtogether]

You were also a sixfielder, just a tight one who didn't pay to watch.

Fuck Off.
Tight spent plenty of money going to nearly every away game last year and on petrol to go to the Hill!!!

I have never been inside Shitfields even with Tim's offer of tickets, should have took them really and wiped my arse on them.

 

[Rusty Trombone]

Why do you think ACL are suddenly desperate to sell? I thought it was a gold mine that would increase in value.

I would imagine from Higgs point of view they stepped in to help the club out, and the intention was that their share holding would only be for a relatively short time. I doubt they want to be involved in stadium management, and it makes sense to me that they would want out, even if they don't get all their money back.

 

[stupot07]

We don't know it will be a disaster, ferret. We may well think it will be, but how can you say that with any certainty? No certainty either that there will be yellow seats put in.

So much of this is still conjecture and gueswork and rumour and speculation, as the SBT statement quite rightly says. We don't know what caveats will be in place and I have said already, I simply cannot see CCC doing the dirty on Coventry City Football Club.

I honestly don't think I am sitting on the fence here. I am against franchising, but at the same time I want what is best for the Sky Blues.That is the priority. That also has to be the priority for CCC, to look after the interests of the people of Coventry and it now seems CRFC aren't quite as pee'd off about Wasps coming here as we first thought.

If this secures CCFC's future at the Ricoh for years to come I would take that, though that would be with a heavy heart if Wasps fans and Cov rugby suffer as a result.

It's not as black and white as some make out I don't think. I believe you can want what is best for the football club and the people of Coventry and still be opposed to franchising.

I would be against any franchise but as a Coventry kid and a City fan I would accept it if it secured our future. Doesn't mean it's right or that I am for it. I would accept it with a heavy heart. I would be against the principal of a franchise but wouldn't actively oppose it in this case.

In the order of priorites I want what is best for Coventry City and for the city fo Coventry. Wish we didn't have this mess, but we do. I would have tremendous sympathy with Wasps fans if their club is brought here against their will for sure, but I could never see me boycotting Coventry City games played here at home in our own city.

It's such a mess as I say. I find the whole thing frustrating and saddening.

I cannot think of how it would secure our (ccfc) future in any way. We won't ever own the Ricoh (leasehold), we won't get access to additional revenues as wasps need them, I cannot see how this will benefit at all.


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[letsallsingtogether]

I would imagine from Higgs point of view they stepped in to help the club out, and the intention was that their share holding would only be for a relatively short time. I doubt they want to be involved in stadium management, and it makes sense to me that they would want out, even if they don't get all their money back.

TBF that has always been their stance, it is just a London Hedgefund wanted it for nothing!!! now a London consortium is offering them a fair price (I would have thought)
They may be thinking about it.

But to be fair we are all making assumptions at the moment.

Oh and if there is a demonstration being organised against this buy out I will gladly attend.

Shame more never cared when we were at Northampton!!

 

[Otis]

I would imagine from Higgs point of view they stepped in to help the club out, and the intention was that their share holding would only be for a relatively short time. I doubt they want to be involved in stadium management, and it makes sense to me that they would want out, even if they don't get all their money back.

Don't understand why people think ACL are desperate to sell. Surely they will just have an empty sports stadium if CCFC leave and would want to make full use of that facility.

If you had a pub with a function room as the back wouldn't you want to utilise it? I know it's not the same thing of course, but there's a great big sports stadium smack bang in the middle if the complex. I don't think any businessman on earth would just let it become a white elephant, left to rot away if they thought there was a chance to have someone use the facility.

 

[theferret]

We don't know it will be a disaster, ferret. We may well think it will be, but how can you say that with any certainty? No certainty either that there will be yellow seats put in.

So much of this is still conjecture and gueswork and rumour and speculation, as the SBT statement quite rightly says. We don't know what caveats will be in place and I have said already, I simply cannot see CCC doing the dirty on Coventry City Football Club.

I honestly don't think I am sitting on the fence here. I am against franchising, but at the same time I want what is best for the Sky Blues.That is the priority. That also has to be the priority for CCC, to look after the interests of the people of Coventry and it now seems CRFC aren't quite as pee'd off about Wasps coming here as we first thought.

If this secures CCFC's future at the Ricoh for years to come I would take that, though that would be with a heavy heart if Wasps fans and Cov rugby suffer as a result.

It's not as black and white as some make out I don't think. I believe you can want what is best for the football club and the people of Coventry and still be opposed to franchising.

I would be against any franchise but as a Coventry kid and a City fan I would accept it if it secured our future. Doesn't mean it's right or that I am for it. I would accept it with a heavy heart. I would be against the principal of a franchise but wouldn't actively oppose it in this case.

In the order of priorites I want what is best for Coventry City and for the city fo Coventry. Wish we didn't have this mess, but we do. I would have tremendous sympathy with Wasps fans if their club is brought here against their will for sure, but I could never see me boycotting Coventry City games played here at home in our own city.

It's such a mess as I say. I find the whole thing frustrating and saddening.

I think you have taken leave of your senses Otis. I'm sorry, but we can be absolutely certain that closing the door on the prospect of the club owing the stadium will be a disaster. How can it possibly not be, short of Wasps stuffing brown envelopes through doors at Gallagher Retail Park. Not even TF could spin his way out of that, so why are you and so many others even giving the idea the time of day?

Yellow seats? Well, given that Wasps have been looking for their own home for years, and having parted with a substantial amount of money to buy that home, I very much doubt (given that they'll have to go on a massive charm offensive to build bridges with their supporters) that they won't try to make the place feel like home as much as possible from the moment they move in. I find it unthinkable that they wouldn't.

 

[theferret]

Shame more never cared when we were at Northampton!!

We all cared. It was supporter action that brought the club home ultimately, and our actions were widely commended by the football community. Please let's not pretend otherwise.

 

[Otis]

I think you have taken leave of your senses Otis. I'm sorry, but we can be absolutely certain that closing the door on the prospect of the club owing the stadium will be a disaster. How can it possibly not be, short of Wasps stuffing brown envelopes through doors at Gallagher Retail Park. Not even TF could spin his way out of that, so why are you and so many others even giving the idea the time of day?

Yellow seats? Well, given that Wasps have been looking for their own home for years, and having parted with a substantial amount of money to buy that home, I very much doubt (given that they'll have to go on a massive charm offensive to build bridges with their supporters) that they won't try to make the place feel like home as much as possible from the moment they move in. I find it unthinkable that they wouldn't.

Ferret, I am very much contradicted on this myself. I really don't know what is going to happen and what is right here. We have just had more meat ont he bones today and it has differed from the info we were drip fed the other day. I think my senses are perfectly intact.

As I have said, I am against franchising and I don't want Wasps here, but at the same time I do want a secure future for Coventry City Football Club. For me any franchise would have to be a very last resort.

I could never be in support of a franchise. I couldn't.

And you talk of closing the door on the prospect of the club owning the stadium, well how long have Sisu been here now. Where is the offer to buy the stadium? How long do we want ACL to waituntil Sisu make an offer?

I am happy for ACL to talk to Sisu and for them to put in an offer on the Ricoh, but they are adamant they are not staying here anyway.

It's not just black and white, there is so much grey area.

If you read my posts you will see I haven't come down on either side here or made a stance on anything, but that is because I am conflicted. It's not sitting on the fence. I'm not trying to hedge bets, I just cannot see CCC doing us down on this. I don't want Wasps, but would reluctantly accept it if it is the only option left. I truly am conflicted on this. I don't have your own degree of certainty. I see nothing wrong in that. We are all different.

If not Wasps and not CCFC, it would just be another franchise club by the sounds of it.

The whole thing stinks.

 

[Grendel]

Last year you were screaming that councils shouldn't own stadium management companies, now you express faux upset that they're selling & may lose out on increase in value.

I have of course never said that. What I have said the council never valued the club.

We now know not only that bit they could give a fuck about the rugby club either

What we do know is council drones like you were lying out of your arse when you bleated about protecting a community asset. It may go and no public disclosure as to what for .

Still the CCFC loathing Council Jack I am sure will sleep easy at night and no doubt may afford himself a snigger at the misfortune healed on the clubs supporters who he clearly hates.

 

[dongonzalos]

Why do you think ACL are suddenly desperate to sell? I thought it was a gold mine that would increase in value.

They have never turned down an offer to talk to someone willing to buy ACL at a sensible price.
Or do you know for a fact that they have.
No change in stance from ACL.
The charity have always said they want out.
The council have to tread more carefully and ensure the new owners have the correct intentions.

 

[stupot07]

Otis - out of interest, in what way do you think it will benefit CCFC and CRFC, and how could it secure their futures?


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[torchomatic]

Not strictly true. They tried to sue NTFC for exactly the same thing a year ago.

No change in stance from ACL.

 

[Nick]

Not strictly true. They tried to sue NTFC for exactly the same thing a year ago.

Just business though isn't it? Stakeholders to please and all that!

 

[torchomatic]

Exactly what I'd like to know. We've always had the "there'll never be a new stadium so secure a deal for the Ricoh" stance, but now Otis and others have done a total one-eighty. It's bizarre. There is no way that CCFC will ever now get a slice of the Ricoh.

Otis - out of interest, in what way do you think it will benefit CCFC and CRFC, and how could it secure their futures?


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