Book by Gilbert (1 Viewer)

Somerset Sky Blue · Dec 29, 2016

Hello all,
Had the book (a club without a home) for Christmas and just read it.
For someone without connections with the club/potential investors and lives over 100 miles away, I found it a good, if worrying, read.
I appreciate Gilbert will have an agenda when writing - most do when we post, but I imagine that he has had to check stories/figures given it has been published!
For me, it was nice to join up some faces/names to actual events, though the general impression is a series of poor decisions which then spilled into petty behaviour by key characters.
A few very poor business decisions / negotiating positions made this worse.
Sadly, it makes me even less hopeful for our future - well, as a competitive team in one of the top two divisions.
I'd recommend the book to fans who are interested in this part of the story (it is written for general consumption rather than experts like OSB), but be prepared to be frustrated by the number of missed opportunities.
And, before you ask, I'm not simon Gilbert/ his friend or getting commission!
Enjoy the new year and PUSB

chiefdave · Dec 29, 2016

Somerset Sky Blue said:
but I imagine that he has had to check stories/figures given it has been published!

Wouldn't be too sure of that. Someone quoted figure's from the book as 'proof' in one of the regular arguments on here and it was quickly shown to be totally wrong. The correct information had been up on the Trust website for years and was freely available to anyone!

Ian1779 · Dec 29, 2016

Always good to see someone profit from our struggles...

Somerset Sky Blue · Dec 29, 2016

chiefdave said:
Wouldn't be too sure of that. Someone quoted figure's from the book as 'proof' in one of the regular arguments on here and it was quickly shown to be totally wrong. The correct information had been up on the Trust website for years and was freely available to anyone!

Fair enough Dave, like OSB, you have a better grasp of the figures than most - I guess it was a few rather than lots of errors though...

Somerset Sky Blue · Dec 29, 2016

Ian1779 said:
Always good to see someone profit from our struggles...

Not sure the publishing industry is known for paying large sums for authors of niche subjects - I hope he had a good advance, as I can't imagine the royalties will allow him to retire!

shmmeee · Dec 29, 2016

Ian1779 said:
Always good to see someone profit from our struggles...

Leave Nick out of this.

shy_tall_knight · Dec 29, 2016

My major disappointment with the book is the WASPS section, doesn't seem to challenge the Council too much he is critical that it was nearly all done behind closed doors. PWKH blowing kisses to Tim Fisher in court - wasn't aware of this but demonstrates the animosity and no surprise he sold to WASPS

Somerset Sky Blue · Dec 29, 2016

shy_tall_knight said:
My major disappointment with the book is the WASPS section, doesn't seem to challenge the Council too much he is critical that it was nearly all done behind closed doors. PWKH blowing kisses to Tim Fisher in court - wasn't aware of this but demonstrates the animosity and no surprise he sold to WASPS

I agree on the wasps - they were skimmed over (though they made sensible decisions regarding buying acl which I wish sisu had).
I'm still undecided on the council - sisu made some enemies and this may have influenced a few / did they always act in the interests of taxpayers. The area has been regenerated, sadly, it doesn't bring the benefits to Ccfc.

Nick · Dec 29, 2016

shmmeee said:
Leave Nick out of this.

I do agree though with Somerset, I doubt he is going to retire because of it.

Nick · Dec 29, 2016

shy_tall_knight said:
My major disappointment with the book is the WASPS section, doesn't seem to challenge the Council too much he is critical that it was nearly all done behind closed doors. PWKH blowing kisses to Tim Fisher in court - wasn't aware of this but demonstrates the animosity and no surprise he sold to WASPS

PWKH was / is a snake. Even if his family made of lawyers read this and it doesn't matter what they are like angry.

Does make you wonder what else he had been up to through it all, any other snidey stuff.*

*For the family of lawyers who aren't nice when angry, that is not an accusation of anything.

shy_tall_knight · Dec 29, 2016

This is my e-mail to PWKH sent in Nov 2014

A simple 11th hour plea not to sell to WASPS.

I recognise that the current owners of CCFC have acted appallingly regarding your charity and the way they have treated the Coventry fans but in my opinion leaving the football (regardless of who owns them) no opportunity of getting a stake in the Ricoh I fear condemns us to lower league / non-league football for the foreseeable future.

Do you have to sell ? Why not keep them. Hopefully a change of ownership may if possible allow you to sell to more amenable people.

His reply
As is common knowledge the Trustees received an offer for their shares from Wasps and asked the Joint Liquidators of CCFC Ltd if they wished to make an offer for those shares. The Joint Liquidators have made an offer and the Trustees will consider it. They will take advice and when finally satisfied as to the course of action that is in the best interests of the Charity they will make their decision. That decision, by law, will be in the best interests of the Charity. The Trustees have to separate their personal feelings from the decisions they make as Trustees. They certainly will not make any decision deliberately to harm or help any private business: they will decide solely in line with the objectives of the Charity.

As the Trustees have made no decision at this time I can add little more.

Regards

Peter Knatchbull-Hugessen

Clerk

ccfchoi87 · Dec 29, 2016

shy_tall_knight said:
This is my e-mail to PWKH sent in Nov 2014

A simple 11th hour plea not to sell to WASPS.

I recognise that the current owners of CCFC have acted appallingly regarding your charity and the way they have treated the Coventry fans but in my opinion leaving the football (regardless of who owns them) no opportunity of getting a stake in the Ricoh I fear condemns us to lower league / non-league football for the foreseeable future.

Do you have to sell ? Why not keep them. Hopefully a change of ownership may if possible allow you to sell to more amenable people.

His reply
As is common knowledge the Trustees received an offer for their shares from Wasps and asked the Joint Liquidators of CCFC Ltd if they wished to make an offer for those shares. The Joint Liquidators have made an offer and the Trustees will consider it. They will take advice and when finally satisfied as to the course of action that is in the best interests of the Charity they will make their decision. That decision, by law, will be in the best interests of the Charity. The Trustees have to separate their personal feelings from the decisions they make as Trustees. They certainly will not make any decision deliberately to harm or help any private business: they will decide solely in line with the objectives of the Charity.

As the Trustees have made no decision at this time I can add little more.

Regards

Peter Knatchbull-Hugessen

Clerk

I hope they'll be happy with themselves when Coventry city dies and wasps fuck off back to london

Grendel · Dec 29, 2016

shy_tall_knight said:
This is my e-mail to PWKH sent in Nov 2014

A simple 11th hour plea not to sell to WASPS.

I recognise that the current owners of CCFC have acted appallingly regarding your charity and the way they have treated the Coventry fans but in my opinion leaving the football (regardless of who owns them) no opportunity of getting a stake in the Ricoh I fear condemns us to lower league / non-league football for the foreseeable future.

Do you have to sell ? Why not keep them. Hopefully a change of ownership may if possible allow you to sell to more amenable people.

His reply
As is common knowledge the Trustees received an offer for their shares from Wasps and asked the Joint Liquidators of CCFC Ltd if they wished to make an offer for those shares. The Joint Liquidators have made an offer and the Trustees will consider it. They will take advice and when finally satisfied as to the course of action that is in the best interests of the Charity they will make their decision. That decision, by law, will be in the best interests of the Charity. The Trustees have to separate their personal feelings from the decisions they make as Trustees. They certainly will not make any decision deliberately to harm or help any private business: they will decide solely in line with the objectives of the Charity.

As the Trustees have made no decision at this time I can add little more.

Regards

Peter Knatchbull-Hugessen

Clerk

Funny that. In a cwr interview done before the offer from the liquidators he blurted out that the sale to wasps was happening. Eastwood hurriedly interviewed with some hilarious spin.

torchomatic · Dec 29, 2016

Grendel said:
Funny that. In a cwr interview done before the offer from the liquidators he blurted out that the sale to wasps was happening. Eastwood hurriedly interviewed with some hilarious spin.

Whilst being cheered on by the majority on SBT.

chiefdave · Dec 29, 2016

shy_tall_knight said:
They will take advice and when finally satisfied as to the course of action that is in the best interests of the Charity they will make their decision. That decision, by law, will be in the best interests of the Charity. The Trustees have to separate their personal feelings from the decisions they make as Trustees. They certainly will not make any decision deliberately to harm or help any private business: they will decide solely in line with the objectives of the Charity.

Seem to recall Kieran getting into a discussion with someone on twitter about this bid. He said that the clubs bid was more than the Wasps bid.

torchomatic · Dec 29, 2016

chiefdave said:
Seem to recall Kieran getting into a discussion with someone on twitter about this bid. He said that the clubs bid was more than the Wasps bid.

Yes, I seem to recall that. Just reinforces my view that this was all done out of spite.

fernandopartridge · Dec 29, 2016

Ian1779 said:
Always good to see someone profit from our struggles...

I don't imagine it's made much of a profit tbf

Nick · Dec 29, 2016

Wasps were only ever here for 100%, they confirmed it on here.

The lease extension was confirmed before they even did the deal with Higgs for their share.

skybluetony176 · Dec 29, 2016

torchomatic said:
Whilst being cheered on by the majority on SBT.

Typing in your sleep Torch? You've definitely dreamed that one.

torchomatic · Dec 29, 2016

skybluetony176 said:
Typing in your sleep Torch? You've definitely dreamed that one.

No, I don't think so. I seemed to remember people popping corks and congratulating the council. Still, we've done this before.

bawtryneal · Dec 29, 2016

shy_tall_knight said:
This is my e-mail to PWKH sent in Nov 2014

A simple 11th hour plea not to sell to WASPS.

I recognise that the current owners of CCFC have acted appallingly regarding your charity and the way they have treated the Coventry fans but in my opinion leaving the football (regardless of who owns them) no opportunity of getting a stake in the Ricoh I fear condemns us to lower league / non-league football for the foreseeable future.

Do you have to sell ? Why not keep them. Hopefully a change of ownership may if possible allow you to sell to more amenable people.

His reply
As is common knowledge the Trustees received an offer for their shares from Wasps and asked the Joint Liquidators of CCFC Ltd if they wished to make an offer for those shares. The Joint Liquidators have made an offer and the Trustees will consider it. They will take advice and when finally satisfied as to the course of action that is in the best interests of the Charity they will make their decision. That decision, by law, will be in the best interests of the Charity. The Trustees have to separate their personal feelings from the decisions they make as Trustees. They certainly will not make any decision deliberately to harm or help any private business: they will decide solely in line with the objectives of the Charity.

As the Trustees have made no decision at this time I can add little more.

Regards

Peter Knatchbull-Hugessen

Clerk

To suggest "personal feelings" didn't enter the equation is complete bollox
He wanted to shaft SISU and he certainly achieved his objective. If I didn't care so much about CCFC I probably wouldn't blame him due to the way the charity was treated.

torchomatic · Dec 29, 2016

bawtryneal said:
To suggest "personal feelings" didn't enter the equation is complete bollox
He wanted to shaft SISU and he certainly achieved his objective. If I didn't care so much about CCFC I probably wouldn't blame him due to the way the charity was treated.

That was the problem. He was so blinded by "shafting SISU" that he totally forgot (or chose to ) the historic football club who have played in the City for 130 years and have arguably given the City it's greatest feel-good triumph. That is why I always say that this decision will affect CCFC much more than SISU will. They will be gone one day. Not Wasps.

Nick · Dec 29, 2016

bawtryneal said:
To suggest "personal feelings" didn't enter the equation is complete bollox
He wanted to shaft SISU and he certainly achieved his objective. If I didn't care so much about CCFC I probably wouldn't blame him due to the way the charity was treated.

His behaviour shows it was very personal and even before the rent row stuff back in 2011.

chiefdave · Dec 29, 2016

Has someone upset Simon? Looks like the Canley One has been on the rampage.

hutch1972 · Dec 30, 2016

The fall out with ccc started well before SISU arrived , it was one of the reasons for Paul Fletcher to do a runner.
He himself stated that it was impossible to deal with them regarding ownership or rent costs.
The constant back stabbing and secret dealing led to his resignation as he realised we were going nowhere.
Before anyone jumps down my throat , I do know he was involved with the setting of the original rent cost but at the time he was acting in the interest of another company.
Whatever is in the book will barely scratch the surface on all the issues surrounding the stadium. Confidentiality agreements between most of the major players will make sure we will NEVER know the whole truth behind it.
If it was a complete warts and all story which included all the secret meetings , dodgy agreements, payments to individuals, business interests of certain board members then that would be some read .
Somehow though I get a feeling it won't tell me nothing I haven't read in the CET .

Nick · Dec 30, 2016

I think Fletcher wrote a book also, remember seeing one but saw it was silly money. I doubt he would be going into too much detail on what happened here specifically also

hutch1972 · Dec 30, 2016

Nick said:
I think Fletcher wrote a book also, remember seeing one but saw it was silly money. I doubt he would be going into too much detail on what happened here specifically also

That's the problem Nick , If the complete truth ever came out then I imagine half the people involved would be having their collars felt.

Sick Boy · Dec 30, 2016

torchomatic said:
No, I don't think so. I seemed to remember people popping corks and congratulating the council. Still, we've done this before.

Indeed...there were plenty of threads praising the councils and some even started posting 'up the council'. I think it was lordsummerisle who came up with a song for them....'roads...get into 'em....dig 'em up'. Classic

italiahorse · Dec 30, 2016

How many other ways can this be regurgitated. Lets keep it simple ....

Our Management messed up over many years before Sisu got here.
Pre Sisu management took a punt on a new stadium but relegation from Premier League meant we could not finance it or run it.
CCC saved the day but took the opportunity to use the profits to finance the stadium build and end up sole owners of the freehold.
CCFC were rightly given 50% of ACL but overrun on previous mismanagement meant they had to sell it to Higgs.
Sisu took us over hoping for a quick return to the PL and a quick profit. Blindly never took the opportunity to renegotiate a new Ricoh deal.
Continued poor management saw us drop to league 1 which meant we could not pay the rent or buy back into ACL.
ACL/CCC/Higgs never understood the plight the club were in and wrongly refused to negotiate a deal that the club could afford.
Sisu returned to type and raised the stakes to get the stadium but in the process upset Higgs and CCC the owners of ACL/Stadium.
Wasps take a risk on moving from London and jump in on an empty stadium and give CCC/Higgs the opportunity to get out and settle some old scores at the same time.

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