Coventry Bears playing at the Ricoh (2 Viewers)

[Grendel]

I understand if your not interested in Rugby League but its hardly a non-event is it?
League looking to expand and not a bad place to start.

If Coventry does get a game, try it, you may enjoy it. Much better game than Union (in my humble opinion).

And who knows - as we are the City of Rugby - perhaps they can be Wasps partner at the Ricoh

Make a lot of people happy on here

 

---

[Nick]

If Coventry does get a game, try it, you may enjoy it. Much better game than Union (in my humble opinion).

Haven't Coventry had games for a while?

 

[SkyBlueHomer]

Haven't Coventry had games for a while?

Meant a 4 nations game

 

[skybluetony176]

I have asked you already

How is it promoting the City? Who is it promoting the City to exactly and for what purpose?

You might not have an interest in Rugby league or Union but plenty in the country are and the list of people involved in this goes well beyond the city


The City of Rugby Steering Group is a formal collaboration between the Rugby Football Union (RFU), Rugby Football League (RFL), Engage! Coventry, Coventry Sports Network, Coventry Rugby, Wasps, Coventry Bears, Warwickshire RFU, Premiership Rugby, Coventry Sports Foundation, Coventry Sports Trust, Coventry City Council, University of Warwick, Coventry University, C&W Chamber of Commerce, Coventry Schools Union and the Millerchip Family Fund.



Including the RFU and RFL who are governing bodies or each code in the UK. The people involved are clearly looking at a bigger picture and if brings people to Coventry who then spend money helping the local economy then it's promoting the City. Surely even you can work that much out by yourself.

 

[SkyBlueHomer]

And who knows - as we are the City of Rugby - perhaps they can be Wasps partner at the Ricoh

Make a lot of people happy on here

If Rugby League was to take off here I would be very happy, yes. Fantastic game, no interest whatsoever in union though

 

[skybluetony176]

I have asked you already

How is it promoting the City? Who is it promoting the City to exactly and for what purpose?

Any reply to this?

So CCC, Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce (presumably you think Sandra Garlic is a double agent), Coventry University and the University of Warwick are all part of some conspiracy to "push the football club into the sidelines"? Really?

Even if you can just confirm if Sandra Garlic is a double agent or not will be enough for me

 

[Nick]

Any reply to this?

So CCC, Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce (presumably you think Sandra Garlic is a double agent), Coventry University and the University of Warwick are all part of some conspiracy to "push the football club into the sidelines"? Really?

Even if you can just confirm if Sandra Garlic is a double agent or not will be enough for me

What does garlic do at the commerce?

 

[skybluetony176]

What does garlic do at the commerce?

IIRC She was Chair of the Coventry branch at one point but I believe she works as a Business advisor now. Clearly a double agent though as Grendull has proved.

 

[chiefdave]

What does garlic do at the commerce?

 

[skybluetony176]

View attachment 5129

Maybe Grendull told her that the C & W C of C was conspiring with other public bodies to "push the football club into the sidelines" and resigned in protest.

Fair play to her if that was the case.

 

[italiahorse]

And who knows - as we are the City of Rugby - perhaps they can be Wasps partner at the Ricoh

Make a lot of people happy on here

I don't think people are happy.
They have accepted that Wasps are here to stay, can't do anything about it and moving on with their life.

Can't see how CCC have marginalised the football club, I think that's down to the clubs management over many years and accelerated the downfall by Sisu playing silly buggers.

Coventry being the centre of Rugby excellence is just part of the overall program of selling it as a city of culture (whenever that is ).

You are so up your own arse that nothing ever will be right in Coventry for you that involves either CCC, Wasps or the White elephant that is the Ricoh.

 

[chiefdave]

You see, I don't see why you have issue with this. Wasps aside isn't part of a councils remit to promote the City and isn't that exactly what they're doing? Surely that's not something that they should be criticised for?

Thats a very naive view Tony. You've said yourself in this thread there is a lot of interest in rugby, its hardly a marginalised sport that people have no awareness of. It also isn't a sport, compared to something like ice hockey, that is expensive to get involved in and needs specialist equipment or venues. As with football those interested can get a ball and off they go.

I do not for a second believe that it is coincidental that as Wasps were being parachuted into the city a public body, Engage Coventry, was setup to promote the sport.

If the council want to promote sport and a healthy lifestyle why concentrate on one sport?

Above all else its embarrassing. While Wasps may have been welcomed with open arms in the city the move is looked upon by many outside the city in a similar light to Wimbledon's move to Milton Keynes. You can imagine the reaction if just a few months after that move Milton Keynes had self proclaimed that it was the city of football.

You might not have an interest in Rugby league or Union but plenty in the country are and the list of people involved in this goes well beyond the city

The City of Rugby Steering Group is a formal collaboration between the Rugby Football Union (RFU), Rugby Football League (RFL), Engage! Coventry, Coventry Sports Network, Coventry Rugby, Wasps, Coventry Bears, Warwickshire RFU, Premiership Rugby, Coventry Sports Foundation, Coventry Sports Trust, Coventry City Council, University of Warwick, Coventry University, C&W Chamber of Commerce, Coventry Schools Union and the Millerchip Family Fund.

Clearly rugby clubs and authorities have a vested interest in promoting the sport so would be certain to sign up to a scheme like this. If you then look at the remaining partners you have the 2 further education establishments and then various non-profits who partner with, and in some cases are funded by, the council. Its hard to imagine it is coincidence.

Can't see how CCC have marginalised the football club, I think that's down to the clubs management over many years and accelerated the downfall by Sisu playing silly buggers.

Don't think you could be looking very hard. Off the top of my head:

• Refused to assist the club with expansion / redevelopment of HR leading to the need for a new stadium (I'm going off information from others on this as I was out of the country a lot of the time this was going on)
• Went back on agreement for CCFC to have 50% of Arena Park freehold
• As part owners of ACL set an extortionately high rent that crippled the club
• When KMPG were tasked with selling the club CCC refused to engage with any potential buyer who wanted a share in stadium ownership
• Sold the stadium in secret to a rugby club from London
• Heavy promotion of Wasps on council websites, little mention of CCFC
• Are relocating the 50m pool to the Higgs Centre with the potential loss of CCFC academy
• Are currently involved in a campaign to promote rugby, have had little or no involvement in similar campaigns for football run by CCFC and Sky Blues in the Community.

 

[italiahorse]

Don't think you could be looking very hard. Off the top of my head:

• Refused to assist the club with expansion / redevelopment of HR leading to the need for a new stadium (I'm going off information from others on this as I was out of the country a lot of the time this was going on)
• Expand where ?
• Went back on agreement for CCFC to have 50% of Arena Park freehold
• First I'd heard about it. Think your getting mixed up with 50% of ACL. We didn't take up the option for the whole lot and CCC picked it up.
• As part owners of ACL set an extortionately high rent that crippled the club
• The club had a choice to have a rolling scale or a fixed rent.
• When KMPG were tasked with selling the club CCC refused to engage with any potential buyer who wanted a share in stadium ownership
• I'll take your word on that one.
• Sold the stadium in secret to a rugby club from London
• The only buyer after many years of being available to the club.
• Heavy promotion of Wasps on council websites, little mention of CCFC
• Little to promote really
• Are relocating the 50m pool to the Higgs Centre with the potential loss of CCFC academy
• I think CCC just closed it on cost/maintenance reasoning. I do't think they are financing a relocation just rubber stamping it. Academy affect who knows.
• Are currently involved in a campaign to promote rugby, have had little or no involvement in similar campaigns for football run by CCFC and Sky Blues in the Community.
• Coventry ? Centre of excellence for football ? Really ?

The post is as bias as it gets. You really need to accept that there is nothing we can do about it and move on.

 

[skybluetony176]

Thats a very naive view Tony. You've said yourself in this thread there is a lot of interest in rugby, its hardly a marginalised sport that people have no awareness of. It also isn't a sport, compared to something like ice hockey, that is expensive to get involved in and needs specialist equipment or venues. As with football those interested can get a ball and off they go. I dont think expecting a local authority amongst others to promote their City is Naive at all. I would say it's expected.


I do not for a second believe that it is coincidental that as Wasps were being parachuted into the city a public body, Engage Coventry, was setup to promote the sport. Cant say I know the first thing about Engage Coventry so I'll have to take your word for it.

If the council want to promote sport and a healthy lifestyle why concentrate on one sport? What are CCFC doing to work with CCC, C & W CofC, Coventry Uni, University of Warwick, Coventry Schools Union and various non-profit partners with, and in some cases are funded by, the council? It works both ways you know? Nothing stopping the club working in conjunction with all these bodies along with Sphinx and over Coventry based football teams to promote football as a sport and healthy lifestyle.

Above all else its embarrassing. While Wasps may have been welcomed with open arms in the city the move is looked upon by many outside the city in a similar light to Wimbledon's move to Milton Keynes. You can imagine the reaction if just a few months after that move Milton Keynes had self proclaimed that it was the city of football. I think the only thing Milton Keynes proclaim itself as is the City of Concrete Cows but I take your point. Aren't other Coventry based Rugby teams also involved in this including CRFC and Coventry Bears? It seems some posters on here think its all the doing of Wasps and CCC conveniently ignoring all the other bodies on the list of backers. It not a list of 2 you know?



Clearly rugby clubs and authorities have a vested interest in promoting the sport so would be certain to sign up to a scheme like this. If you then look at the remaining partners you have the 2 further education establishments and then various non-profits who partner with, and in some cases are funded by, the council. Its hard to imagine it is coincidence. As well as Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, as well as Coventry Schools Union and unless I'm mistaken Country RFC are also involved arent they? Are you seriously suggesting that all these bodies are in an ellaborite conspiracy to push the football club into the sidelines? A simple yes or no will do. Like I just said the people behind this isn't just a list of 2.

 

[chiefdave]

The post is as bias as it gets. You really need to accept that there is nothing we can do about it and move on.

 

[chiefdave]

Refused to assist the club with expansion / redevelopment of HR leading to the need for a new stadium (I'm going off information from others on this as I was out of the country a lot of the time this was going on)
Expand where ?

As I said I wasn't around much when this was happening but from what I have been told a plan was being looked into which was largely based around replacing or extending and referring the main stand and west stand. What was being looked at couldn't be done on the existing footprint so the council were approached with a view to supporting compulsory purchases on Nicholls Street, Mowbray Street and King Richard Street but the council would not offer any support and therefore the plan was abandoned and a new plan put together to move to a new stadium.

Went back on agreement for CCFC to have 50% of Arena Park freehold
First I'd heard about it. Think your getting mixed up with 50% of ACL. We didn't take up the option for the whole lot and CCC picked it up.

No what you're referring to happened later. At the point CCC initially took the project over it was supposed to be a 50/50 split with the club. At a very late stage the council went back on this, funnily enough they claimed that allowing us to have 50% would be state aid!

As part owners of ACL set an extortionately high rent that crippled the club
The club had a choice to have a rolling scale or a fixed rent.

There is some evidence to support that, equally we know the club tried on several occasions to open talks with a view to renegotiating the rent only to be knocked back.

When KMPG were tasked with selling the club CCC refused to engage with any potential buyer who wanted a share in stadium ownership
I'll take your word on that one.

Its been documented on here many times so you don't just have to take my word for it.

Sold the stadium in secret to a rugby club from London
The only buyer after many years of being available to the club.

None of is know if Wasps were the only potential buyer as the sale wasn't marketed.

Heavy promotion of Wasps on council websites, little mention of CCFC
Little to promote really

Says a lot about how you regard the football club.

Are relocating the 50m pool to the Higgs Centre with the potential loss of CCFC academy
I think CCC just closed it on cost/maintenance reasoning. I do't think they are financing a relocation just rubber stamping it. Academy affect who knows.

CCC claim ongoing running costs to keep the existing centre open are £2K a day. The cost of the replacement centre, not including ongoing running costs is £36m (equivalent to keeping the existing centre open for 50 years. A further £14m is needed for the replacement pool (equivalent to a further 20 years). Not sure the financial argument stacks up. And of course the existing centre is a listed building so there is a limit to what changes can be made to allow an alternative use.

The project isn't yet funded but I would be surprised if no public money is involved.

Are currently involved in a campaign to promote rugby, have had little or no involvement in similar campaigns for football run by CCFC and Sky Blues in the Community.
Coventry ? Centre of excellence for football ? Really ?

Again says a lot about your view of our club. I would say we have more right to proclaim ourselves a city of football than we do a city of rugby but either are equally ridiculous.

The post is as bias as it gets. You really need to accept that there is nothing we can do about it and move on.

So your move on plan now involves anything anyone does that could potentially have a negative impact on our club at any point in the future.

 

[chiefdave]

I dont think expecting a local authority amongst others to promote their City is Naive at all. I would say it's expected.

I have no problem with them promoting the city but this just makes us look stupid. I would question why the bias towards rugby. It seems to me that the major beneficiary of a big rugby promotion in the city would be Wasps. Would be interested to know how much public money is going towards this project.

Cant say I know the first thing about Engage Coventry so I'll have to take your word for it.

"Engage! Coventry believes that rugby and its values can have a great impact on the lives of young people, families and their communities.", a lot of the same people involved. The timing of the organisation being formed seems very coincidental.

What are CCFC doing to work with CCC, C & W CofC, Coventry Uni, University of Warwick, Coventry Schools Union and various non-profit partners with, and in some cases are funded by, the council? It works both ways you know? Nothing stopping the club working in conjunction with all these bodies along with Sphinx and over Coventry based football teams to promote football as a sport and healthy lifestyle.

A lot is already done, they just get on with it rather than declaring we're the city of football. There's things like the walking football, InForm, Fit 4 Life. They do work with schools and the like but their funding is largely from non-public bodies.

I think the only thing Milton Keynes proclaim itself as is the City of Concrete Cows but I take your point. Aren't other Coventry based Rugby teams also involved in this including CRFC and Coventry Bears? It seems some posters on here think its all the doing of Wasps and CCC conveniently ignoring all the other bodies on the list of backers. It not a list of 2 you know?

I suspect this is not an equal split between all partners. Someone will be the driving force behind it.

As well as Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, as well as Coventry Schools Union and unless I'm mistaken Country RFC are also involved arent they? Are you seriously suggesting that all these bodies are in an ellaborite conspiracy to push the football club into the sidelines? A simple yes or no will do. Like I just said the people behind this isn't just a list of 2.

No that's not what I'm suggesting. I don't really have a problem with what they are doing so long as the taxpayer isn't footing the bill. Its like most things Wasps have an involvement in, there's a lot of dick waving and proclaiming to be the greatest. Why not just get on with it. To deliver this program there is no need to declare us a city of rugby. Just get on with it like everyone else does.

 

[Grendel]

So once again outrage from CCFC fans regarding another cheap stunt by wasps and the council - except for the dynamic duo whose unwavering loyalty to the wasps cause remains.

 

[Grendel]

The post is as bias as it gets. You really need to accept that there is nothing we can do about it and move on.

Your lame stock answer to everything you have no answer to.

Given the recent article in the news suggested all is not that financially sound in the wasps camp there is something you can do.

You can boycott them and not hand over a penny more to the franchise from west London.

Will you commit go that?

 

[Grendel]

Any reply to this?

So CCC, Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce (presumably you think Sandra Garlic is a double agent), Coventry University and the University of Warwick are all part of some conspiracy to "push the football club into the sidelines"? Really?

Even if you can just confirm if Sandra Garlic is a double agent or not will be enough for me

Why do you keep mentioning Sandra Garlick what's she got to do with anything?

 

[skybluetony176]

So once again outrage from CCFC fans regarding another cheap stunt by wasps and the council - except for the dynamic duo whose unwavering loyalty to the wasps cause remains.

Try reading the article. There is a long list of people involved including CRFC, Coventry Uni, Uni of Warwick, The Local Chamber of Commerce, Coventry schools etc. etc. etc.

You're clearly so blinkered you read wasp's and ccc, stop reading and start frothing. Do you actually know what the article was about?

 

[Grendel]

Try reading the article. There is a long list of people involved including CRFC, Coventry Uni, Uni of Warwick, The Local Chamber of Commerce, Coventry schools etc. etc. etc.

You're clearly so blinkered you read wasp's and ccc, stop reading and start frothing. Do you actually know what the article was about?

Yes it was a typical PR piece from wasps and why they are allowing the league team at the Ricoh. It's only being promoted because of wasps and their desire to be in the community.

The other interested parties are doing what exactly?

Also why would garlick have anything to do with it? She's not head if the COC.

 

[Jack Griffin]

I understand if your not interested in Rugby League but its hardly a non-event is it?
League looking to expand and not a bad place to start.

If Coventry does get a game, try it, you may enjoy it. Much better game than Union (in my humble opinion).

I see no difference between RU & RL it is just big blokes running around using complicated rules that change often.
Can't be arsed with any of it, no chance I'll ever go to any sort of Rugby match. I also turn over the TV or Radio if Rugby comes on.

 

[italiahorse]

Will you commit go that?

Nope. Sisu have no plan so I assume they just start there lame plan to get the Ricoh.
Done that bought the teeshirt.

Your drive to the bottom goes on. Enjoy it.

 

[italiahorse]

Yes it was a typical PR piece from wasps and why they are allowing the league team at the Ricoh. It's only being promoted because of wasps and their desire to be in the community.

The other interested parties are doing what exactly?

Also why would garlick have anything to do with it? She's not head if the COC.

Delusional.

 

[chiefdave]

Your drive to the bottom goes on.

Is that different to the race to the bottom?

 

[skybluetony176]

Yes it was a typical PR piece from wasps and why they are allowing the league team at the Ricoh. It's only being promoted because of wasps and their desire to be in the community.

The other interested parties are doing what exactly?

Also why would garlick have anything to do with it? She's not head if the COC.

So the Rugby Football Union (RFU), Rugby Football League (RFL), Engage! Coventry, Coventry Sports Network, Coventry Rugby, Coventry Bears, Warwickshire RFU, Premiership Rugby, Coventry Sports Foundation, Coventry Sports Trust, Coventry City Council, University of Warwick, Coventry University, C&W Chamber of Commerce, Coventry Schools Union and the Millerchip Family Fund have nothing to do with it then. The article is all a lie? Is that a Grendull exclusive?

 

[Sick Boy]

Imagine if the Northampton fans had defended our move there as much as Tony and italia....oh sorry, Tony has no interest in them.

 

[italiahorse]

Imagine if the Northampton fans had defended our move there as much as Tony and italia....oh sorry, Tony has no interest in them.

No one is defending it.
But at what point do you stop fighting the inevitable ?

You can carry on, I have joined the party and now enjoy both football and rugby.
I do prefer rugby league more than union as a game so there is more variety to come.

Just wish Sisu would be bought to task on the demise of our club and give us a plan for the future, but hey you (and others) take the easy option rather than upset them.

 

[Grendel]

So the Rugby Football Union (RFU), Rugby Football League (RFL), Engage! Coventry, Coventry Sports Network, Coventry Rugby, Coventry Bears, Warwickshire RFU, Premiership Rugby, Coventry Sports Foundation, Coventry Sports Trust, Coventry City Council, University of Warwick, Coventry University, C&W Chamber of Commerce, Coventry Schools Union and the Millerchip Family Fund have nothing to do with it then. The article is all a lie? Is that a Grendull exclusive?

Why will you never answer any questions put to you?

You clearly realise the gaffe over Garlick as you ignore that frantically.

So - would this have happened if wasps weren't here? Yes or no.

Answer by the way is no as you will not answer at all but just put another load of drivel in your post.

 

[Grendel]

No one is defending it.
But at what point do you stop fighting the inevitable ?

You can carry on, I have joined the party and now enjoy both football and rugby.
I do prefer rugby league more than union as a game so there is more variety to come.

Just wish Sisu would be bought to task on the demise of our club and give us a plan for the future, but hey you (and others) take the easy option rather than upset them.

No you take the easy way out and pour money down the franchises throat regardless of any consequence for CCFC.

As for taking the easy way out that's what you did wasn't it when you walked past Tim Fisher without saying anything?

What are you doing not to upset them?

 

[Steve.B50]

Looks to be a single game to start with, aren't they only semi pro? Same sort of thing as Bedworth United?

I love my Rugby Union but not as keen on the RL game.
It must be big PR thing as does not make sense with the gates they get at the Butts.
I thought RL was becoming more of a spring/Summer sport so it does not compete with Union.

 

[Grendel]

This actually looks like even more of a wasps PR stunt than I first thought.

Virtually all these bodies Tony seems very keen on are brand partners of engage a company set up in 2013 with the aid of the milichip fund.

In 2015 it was commissioned by wasps to take their premiership in the community project across the city to promote rugby.

Launch article attracted. What's the difference?

https://bdaily.co.uk/business-in-sport/20-10-2015/engage-announces-partnership-with-wasps/

 

[Terry Gibson's perm]

This actually looks like even more of a wasps PR stunt than I first thought.

Virtually all these bodies Tony seems very keen on are brand partners of engage a company set up in 2013 with the aid of the milichip fund.

In 2015 it was commissioned by wasps to take their premiership in the community project across the city to promote rugby.

Launch article attracted. What's the difference?

https://bdaily.co.uk/business-in-sport/20-10-2015/engage-announces-partnership-with-wasps/

just read some of that and you would think that Rugby is a new sport in the area has there not been a team in Coventry for over 100 years.

 

[italiahorse]

No you take the easy way out and pour money down the franchises throat regardless of any consequence for CCFC.

As for taking the easy way out that's what you did wasn't it when you walked past Tim Fisher without saying anything?

What are you doing not to upset them?

I support CCFC financially more than you do.
Perhaps if Sisu gave us a product worth paying for more fans would come and CCFC consequences would be sorted.
CCFC are where they are because CCFC management put them there, not CCC, Higgs or Wasps.

When did I walk past Fisher recently ?
Other than we were in Northampton and I saw a group of fans drooling around him (you were probably one) outside the executive entrance at an away match.
They were all laughing, shaking his hand and and probably defending his actions (like this board at times).
I was hardly going to break the circle of hands to get to him !!