Ask Neil (12 Viewers)

Grendel · Jul 21, 2019

Neil White from the Trust has agreed to meet with me at SA at the first game

I have to say he doesn’t seem to like me and has low expectations. Neil thinks only 6 or 10 people seem to oppose the trust stance

I would like a collation of views and proposed actions from fans here so I can present these to Neil

I am especially interested in people’s view to protests at wasps matches statements against wasps etc but I will have balance the opinions.

Neil is very interested in number of responses so the more the merrier

Exit Stage Left · Jul 21, 2019

Fair play Grendel. I think the SBT need to make some sort statement on Wasps. I get they are very anti-SISU, but are they prepared to make a stand against those rugby players from High Wycombe?

Grendel · Jul 21, 2019

Exit Stage Left said:
Fair play Grendel. I think the SBT need to make some sort statement on Wasps. I get they are very anti-SISU, but are they prepared to make a stand against those rugby players from High Wycombe?

So a public condemnation against wasps is appropriate do you think? Neil thinks he should invite Nick Eastwood to a Diamond Club event so he can see what supporting ccfc means. Do you think that will bring us back or is more direct action required?

RFC · Jul 21, 2019

Just to make it clear I do not support SBT and the don’t represent me in anyway. Wasps should not be playing at a stadium that was built for us, along with the Sky Blue seats.

ccfchoi87 · Jul 21, 2019

Yep they’ve lost me with the anti CCFC stance. They seem to care more about back pats from other supporters trusts than actually voicing the opinion of the majority. I hope the new board can regain the trust of the fans

Deleted member 5849 · Jul 21, 2019

Grendel said:
Neil White from the Trust has agreed to meet with me at SA at the first game

I have to say he doesn’t seem to like me and has low expectations. Neil thinks only 6 or 10 people seem to oppose the trust stance

I would like a collation of views and proposed actions from fans here so I can present these to Neil

I am especially interested in people’s view to protests at wasps matches statements against wasps etc but I will have balance the opinions.

Neil is very interested in number of responses so the more the merrier

He ought to check their own survey then...

Anyway, I've always thought visibility is needed. When we went to Northampton, the two marches and a fairly visible protest at Arsenal captured attention. Showing no visibility conveys apathy and disinterest, and gives no incentive for anybody to take into account City fans.

As such, there's nothing wrong with a decent sized protest anywhere. Wasps' first home game is when we travel to MK Dons. What better message against franchising then turning up to the Ricoh, to protest that Coventry City should be playing in Coventry. tbh that should be the message (the positive one of what Coventry City means to us, and how important it is we return home) as making it against poeople will split fans but... there's no problem in sticking a protest in front of the Ricoh!

I wouldn't do boycotts as we saw with Sixfields they can be divisive, and near impossible to get enough people on board (also, where do you stop? Will people stop going to concerts there? What happens if Wasps end up sponsoring the company I work for?) but active protests, no problem with that whatsoever.

So other actions should include a protest outside the council house, by all means hold a protest at St Andrews but... visibility is key. I'd be tempted to hold a massive football game eiother outside the council house, or at the Memorial Park in order to show how important football is to the city.

But all the time, keep the message positive about what the club means to us, and *show* what it means. That'll keep people together.

Saddlebrains · Jul 21, 2019

I think it just needs making clear that they are living in dreamworld that they are 'the voice of the fans'. Maybe once, a while back they were but not now. As said, it needs condemnation of Wasps, the council and Nick Eastwood, no cosying up needed. Also feel that they should make it clear in a statment that the only way the club outlasts the insects through this whole shit show is by encouraging fans, however shite it is, to back the team at St Andrews as best they can

Deleted member 5849 · Jul 21, 2019

Grendel said:
I have to say he doesn’t seem to like me

tbf, this is probably not a minority position

Exit Stage Left · Jul 21, 2019

Grendel said:
So a public condemnation against wasps is appropriate do you think? Neil thinks he should invite Nick Eastwood to a Diamond Club event so he can see what supporting ccfc means. Do you think that will bring us back or is more direct action required?

If public condemnation is issued to Wasps from the SBT it should be because that is the choice of the SBT and it's members. As a non-member I don't feel I have a right to tell them who they should or shouldn't condem. However as a supporter of Coventry City FC I would have more respect for the SBT if they lay their cards on the table and say if they believe Wasps are either...

1) Completely innocent of the reason why we are now playing in Birmingham.
2) Partially to blame for the reason we are now playing in Birmingham.
3) Totally to blame for the reason we are playing in Birmingham and have taken over a stadium in Coventry that was purposely built for a football team from Coventry and NOT a rugby team from High Wycombe!!!!!

The problem I have is the lack of awareness people outside of Coventry have for the whole picture. Look at the mainstream media for example. Whenever Jim White (Talksport's mid-morning show) or Colin Murray (Quest's EFL highlights show) talk about the plight of Coventry City, they often mention SISU, Joy Seppala, Tim Fisher etc. However I've never heard them mention Coventry City Council, Wasps, George Duggins, Nick Eastwood etc. There are always two sides to an argument, but the rest of the country outside of Coventry only seem to hear one side. Maybe the SBT only ever issuing anti-Sisu statements and not much about Wasps/Coventry City Council is part of the problem.

Exit Stage Left · Jul 21, 2019

Apologies for my lack of knowledge on the SBT, but is this the same organisation Moz Baker was (or still is) a spokesman for?

Grendel · Jul 21, 2019

Exit Stage Left said:
Apologies for my lack of knowledge on the SBT, but is this the same organisation Moz Baker was (or still is) a spokesman for?

Yes it was him now it’s some bloke called Dave

mds · Jul 21, 2019

From the trust constitution https://www.skybluetrust.co.uk/attachments/article/200/Constitution (adopted 2013) 2.pdf

Page 3

3.COMMUNITY BENEFIT PURPOSE
The Society’s purpose is to be the vehicle through which a healthy, balanced and constructive relationship between the Club and its supporters and the communities it serves is encouraged and developed. The business of the Society is to be con-ducted for the benefit of the community served by the Club and not for the profit of its members.
4.OBJECTS
The Society’s objects are to benefit the community by:
4.1.being the democratic and representative voice of the supporters of the Club and strengthening the bonds between the Club and the communities which it serves;
4.2.achieving the greatest possible supporter and community influence in the running and ownership of the Club;
4.3.promoting responsible and constructive community engagement by present and fu-ture members of the communities served by the Club and encouraging the Club to do the same;
4.4.operating democratically, fairly, sustainably, transparently and with financial responsibility and encouraging the Club to do the same;

When do they start to work towards these goals?

Covkid1968# · Jul 21, 2019

I want to see SBT organising direct action against all parties.... this has to be hand in hand with talking and meeting all parties.... but we need the Trust to be our voice and our way of organising joined up events/protests. The march from Gosford galvanised support.... the Wasps protest made us look disinterested. We don’t want or need to be wasps SISU or CCCs friend... we don’t need SBT schmoozing we need them getting in faces and ruffling feathers for us fans.

Legia Sky Blue · Jul 21, 2019

Deleted member 5849 said:
He ought to check their own survey then...

Anyway, I've always thought visibility is needed. When we went to Northampton, the two marches and a fairly visible protest at Arsenal captured attention. Showing no visibility conveys apathy and disinterest, and gives no incentive for anybody to take into account City fans.

As such, there's nothing wrong with a decent sized protest anywhere. Wasps' first home game is when we travel to MK Dons. What better message against franchising then turning up to the Ricoh, to protest that Coventry City should be playing in Coventry. tbh that should be the message (the positive one of what Coventry City means to us, and how important it is we return home) as making it against poeople will split fans but... there's no problem in sticking a protest in front of the Ricoh!

I wouldn't do boycotts as we saw with Sixfields they can be divisive, and near impossible to get enough people on board (also, where do you stop? Will people stop going to concerts there? What happens if Wasps end up sponsoring the company I work for?) but active protests, no problem with that whatsoever.

So other actions should include a protest outside the council house, by all means hold a protest at St Andrews but... visibility is key. I'd be tempted to hold a massive football game eiother outside the council house, or at the Memorial Park in order to show how important football is to the city.

But all the time, keep the message positive about what the club means to us, and *show* what it means. That'll keep people together.

Agree with you mostly, but I disagree that picking the MK away day is the right time to hold a Wasps match day protest. While I understand the 'franchising' angle to such a protest, holding it on that day would prove divisive, when surely the idea is surely to bring as much of our support together as we can. Many will want to 'support' the team at MK, who might otherwise attend an anti Wasps protest, so why limit the numbers? Much better if there is a 'Trust' backed protest for it to be a televised match that doesn't clash with one of our own.

Skybluefaz · Jul 21, 2019

I'd like some form of protest on a wasps match day at the ricoh. Personally I'd think a football match would be pretty apt. Hundreds of city fans having a kick about in the car park as a protest. Cause disruption, get attention. Show them we are here and pissed off at their actions. Them being wasps.

usskyblue · Jul 21, 2019

mds said:
From the trust constitution https://www.skybluetrust.co.uk/attachments/article/200/Constitution (adopted 2013) 2.pdf

Page 3

3.COMMUNITY BENEFIT PURPOSE
The Society’s purpose is to be the vehicle through which a healthy, balanced and constructive relationship between the Club and its supporters and the communities it serves is encouraged and developed. The business of the Society is to be con-ducted for the benefit of the community served by the Club and not for the profit of its members.
4.OBJECTS
The Society’s objects are to benefit the community by:
4.1.being the democratic and representative voice of the supporters of the Club and strengthening the bonds between the Club and the communities which it serves;
4.2.achieving the greatest possible supporter and community influence in the running and ownership of the Club;
4.3.promoting responsible and constructive community engagement by present and fu-ture members of the communities served by the Club and encouraging the Club to do the same;
4.4.operating democratically, fairly, sustainably, transparently and with financial responsibility and encouraging the Club to do the same;

When do they start to work towards these goals?

Ouch

Covstu · Jul 21, 2019

For me the Trust need to be having an open dialogue with the club rather that opposing them at every turn. Better understand why SISU are doing what they are doing, what actual plans they have for moving back to Coventry and how can the trust help to support this.

As for protests, just of the opinion that this is going to be fruitless but they need to be more actively challenging to wasps and the council. What are both parties concerned about if they have confidently beaten SISU in court previously, why are the council trying to throw mud publicly at every turn?

Ultimately cut out the bollocks sound bites based on chats and have real dialogue with these individuals. Equally they have a responsibility of supporting all supporters not just those who follow like sheep

bawtryneal · Jul 21, 2019

Grendel said:
Neil White from the Trust has agreed to meet with me at SA at the first game

I have to say he doesn’t seem to like me and has low expectations. Neil thinks only 6 or 10 people seem to oppose the trust stance

I would like a collation of views and proposed actions from fans here so I can present these to Neil

I am especially interested in people’s view to protests at wasps matches statements against wasps etc but I will have balance the opinions.

Neil is very interested in number of responses so the more the merrier

What are the objectives of the meeting and what are you both hoping to achieve from the meeting.

ccfchoi87 · Jul 21, 2019

Ideally they would lead a campaign to actively boycott Wasps and send out the message that they are not welcome here. Of course this should have been done when they first arrived.

Terry Gibson's perm · Jul 21, 2019

They

ccfchoi87 said:
Ideally they would lead a campaign to actively boycott Wasps and send out the message that they are not welcome here. Of course this should have been done when they first arrived.

They should be doing this and also speaking to other trusts to ask their fans to boycott Wasps as well, if rugby grows as a sport it can’t help any local football teams.

Sky Blue Pete · Jul 21, 2019

Thanks Grendel!!

They need to be holding all parties to account for the mess that means we are playing in Birmingham

WillenhallSkyBlues · Jul 21, 2019

Can you ask him why the trust unfollowed me on twitter once I sent them an iPhone note screenshot asking them to set up a demonstration against the council for rolling out the red carpet to a rugby club from London off the back off selling their football club down the river and the amount of local businesses that will lose trade through cov not being there.

Grendel · Jul 21, 2019

bawtryneal said:
What are the objectives of the meeting and what are you both hoping to achieve from the meeting.

Neil refuses to acknowledge anyone in social media unless they meet with him. So my idea is to meet and suggest ideas regarding the way forward to get the club back to Coventry based off the input on here

christonabike · Jul 21, 2019

Please forgive if I am wrong. I usually am lol.
The “Trust’ have always been a self important bunch of c—ants who club together and pretend to be the “voice” of the fans and have sided with every fooker part from Sisu who actually own the club.
The council trying to buy Wasps and all the shenanigans seems to have gone over their heads.
We have been shafted from all angles and no matter what some fat fook from London says will not change our situation 1 iota .
Back patting and shaking hands with our lovely council members will sort it out no doubt.
Then again if if makes them feel better happy days. Self serving cants.
PUSB

hill83 · Jul 21, 2019

Tell him Wasps can well and truly fuck off and until the trust unequivocally come out and say the same, swearing in their statement or not, they can fuck off too.

Thanks

hill83 · Jul 21, 2019

Also, as I know everyone who posts on this forum tends to fall under one entity when people don’t like what gets said. Let him know I speak for myself and nobody else on here.

JulianDarbyFTW · Jul 21, 2019

I have a few very simple questions. What is their vision as a trust? What is their short-term goal? What is their long-term goal? What measures do they take to ensure that they are consistently being 'the voice of the supporters'?

At the moment, there are no clear answers to any of these questions. Sure, there are glib answers (get back to Coventry duh). But there needs to be substance to their actions and statements, and that is always missing. If they want to be my voice, or the democratic voice, then poll the members. Don't let the loudest voice in the room control the narrative, or the trust will continue to be what is is now - unrepresentative, slow to action, and easily influenced by strong opinions.

Nick · Jul 21, 2019

hill83 said:
Also, as I know everyone who posts on this forum tends to fall under one entity when people don’t like what gets said. Let him know I speak for myself and nobody else on here.

He's already said people on here have no credibility, I wouldn't worry

Johnnythespider · Jul 21, 2019

Grendel, I'd like you to ask him to hold a renewal of membership, the take up on this will give him his answer. I should add I've never been a member, nor will i as long as they continue to peddle their one eyed stance to the issue.

hill83 · Jul 21, 2019

Nick said:
He's already said people on here have no credibility, I wouldn't worry

Ha ha. Wasn’t even aware of that.

Grendel · Jul 21, 2019

hill83 said:
Ha ha. Wasn’t even aware of that.

We are apparently 6 people so perhaps you are me - it might be 10 though

Deleted member 5849 · Jul 21, 2019

Grendel said:
Neil refuses to acknowledge anyone in social media unless they meet with him. So my idea is to meet and suggest ideas regarding the way forward to get the club back to Coventry based off the input on here

Fair enough!

I'd suggest he needs to ignore who's saying what, and focus instead on whether it's sensible or not. By all means ignore mentalist and trolls, but...

Deleted member 5849 · Jul 21, 2019

hill83 said:
Also, as I know everyone who posts on this forum tends to fall under one entity when people don’t like what gets said. Let him know I speak for myself and nobody else on here.

Ditto. Been arguing pettily with people on ccfc forums for 19 years now!

Terry Gibson's perm · Jul 21, 2019

Johnnythespider said:
Grendel, I'd like you to ask him to hold a renewal of membership, the take up on this will give him his answer. I should add I've never been a member, nor will i as long as they continue to peddle their one eyed stance to the issue.

This is an excellent idea I think I may be classed as a member as I get the odd email from them but I do not support their actions.

MalcSB · Jul 21, 2019

They need to hold the council to account for their underhand and duplicitous behaviour. It was the council who had at least a moral responsibility to consider CCFC and existing fans and supporters, not necessarily wasps who saw an opportunity and took it. If they can get wasps to fuck off while they are at it, even the better.

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