Coventry City fans to discuss possibility of supporter-led takeover (3 Viewers)

[Sky Blue Kid]

Anyway.. Goodnight, God Bless, and Peace out guys

 

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[Irish Sky Blue]

Lost in the sea of arguements but it seems to me that what's apparent is that we are already ran in the same manner as fan ownership now. Except with people whose priority is another company?

For those who could attend the meeting, Is this the case?

The only thing similar between ourselves and Portsmouth is the label that we are run at "Break Even". Their model of break even is a lot different to Sisu's.

 

[clint van damme]

The only thing similar between ourselves and Portsmouth is the label that we are run at "Break Even". Their model of break even is a lot different to Sisu's.

nothing wrong with "break even" if it's done right. sisu don't do it right.

 

[shmmeee]

So. Haven't read the thread as it seems like an absolute shit fest, but for shits and giggles, who would you nominate as President/Chairman of CCFC if it was fan owned?

Would have to be someone who has been nowhere near this mess. Sillett? Oggy? Cat Bin Lady? Random fan no one has heard of?

 

[chiefdave]

So. Haven't read the thread as it seems like an absolute shit fest, but for shits and giggles, who would you nominate as President/Chairman of CCFC if it was fan owned?

 

[oldskyblue58]

Given that the club in its present format is worthless. Given that anyone coming in would buy the assets (not much value in the squad) which don't have massive value and won't fluctuate greatly. Given that the potential remains the same its just the length of time that varies depending on L1 or L2. How does this devilish plot by the shadowy Trust (who according to many have no idea) actually greatly change the value of the club or its assets. Ccfc actually owns very little, what it does are charged to ARVO and no one in their right mind would take on the otium loans and preference shares - including the trust.

It isn't about the value of the club it is about what Sisu want to settle out their investment and how. Whether or not that is an open market deal or an administration..... both of which Sisu are in control of

Think it gets forgotten that Sisu specialise in losses and have set up their football investment with lots of protection against investing predators

 

[Grendel]

So. Haven't read the thread as it seems like an absolute shit fest, but for shits and giggles, who would you nominate as President/Chairman of CCFC if it was fan owned?

Would have to be someone who has been nowhere near this mess. Sillett? Oggy? Cat Bin Lady? Random fan no one has heard of?

SBK without doubt.

 

[shmmeee]

Given that the club in its present format is worthless. Given that anyone coming in would buy the assets (not much value in the squad) which don't have massive value and won't fluctuate greatly. Given that the potential remains the same its just the length of time that varies depending on L1 or L2. How does this devilish plot by the shadowy Trust (who according to many have no idea) actually greatly change the value of the club or its assets. Ccfc actually owns very little and no one in their right mind would take on the otium loans and preference shares - including the trust

It isn't about the value of the club it is about what Sisu want to settle out their investment and how. Whether or not that is an open market deal or an administration..... both of which Sisu are in control of

If anything having competition would surely increase the value?

It's just Reid shit stirring for profit, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[shmmeee]

SBK without doubt.

Yet another quality addition to the discussion from Grendel.

 

[Grendel]

Yet another quality addition to the discussion from Grendel.

Oh I see - so the suggestion in your post of sillet, oggy or cat bin lady (curious) was actually a serious contribution from you.

Ok

 

[oldskyblue58]

If anything having competition would surely increase the value?

It's just Reid shit stirring for profit, I wouldn't worry about it.

I don't, I find some of the conspiracies put forward amusing frankly. Dig just a little and they don't hold water.

 

[Irish Sky Blue]

The trust have been working on this for two years we are told. I would expect after two years for them to have something to show for it. That's not unreasonable when they start talking about people putting money into escrow accounts and committing to buying shares is it?

This is the point isn't it. They need to be completely separate yet you have

That was the thing that struck me. A lot of what was being said by the Supporters Direct / Pompey representatives could have been straight out of Fishers mouth. Said in a less antagonistic way but still the same thing which will have the same end result. I wasn't really clear on how fan ownership would really change the way the club is run. Yes you'd have people who cared about the club involved which is obviously a good thing but if you have £1m to spend now or £1m to spend with fan ownership you're getting the same end result.
There was a vague notion that you'd get more sponsorship and more people turning up with fan ownership but IMO that's a long way from guaranteed.

This notion is just plain wrong. They are chalk and cheese. The Portsmouth version is about a club run by fans for those fans and for the greater community. They are open, communicative and democratic. They engage and cooperate with all agencies, businesses and the local community at large. They are not set up to make other people money. Those who put money in did so because they love their club and they don't expect, and in fact because of the club's constitution, won't get any of their money back.They have their own stadium that they are gradually bringing back to life and they are buying parcels of land around Fratton Park so that they can unite all sections of their club, training ground and academy. They have put together a competitive team that sit fourth in League 2 and are pushing for promotion. They have 12000 season ticket holders and an average gate of 16000. They hold regular meetings at various supporter groups around the city at which members of their board attend speak and listen. When Pompey play away they will often arrange get together in the team hotel on the morning of games so they can talk to exiled Pompey fans.
We have Sisu's version of break even.
Do you really think it sounds the same?

 

[Irish Sky Blue]

The trust have been working on this for two years we are told. I would expect after two years for them to have something to show for it. That's not unreasonable when they start talking about people putting money into escrow accounts and committing to buying shares is it?

This is the point isn't it. They need to be completely separate yet you have David Johnson up on stage at a Trust event about fan ownership. You have the Trust posting things about JHW protests on their website and you even had Moz getting the two mixed up. They very clearly aren't separate and they need to be.

Before the fans takeover they average 12.232 in L1 despite being bottom and getting relegated. Simple fact is they are a better supported side than us, in a much smaller city. If you then look that they required a large council loan and several individuals to put in large amounts it shows you what we are up against. And that was buying out of admin, unless we're saying push the club into admin we would need a lot more finance.
Pomepy's business plan for the first couple of years post fans takeover had 7 figure losses budgeted. They've since had to dilute their ownership as additional funds have been required.

That was the thing that struck me. A lot of what was being said by the Supporters Direct / Pompey representatives could have been straight out of Fishers mouth. Said in a less antagonistic way but still the same thing which will have the same end result. I wasn't really clear on how fan ownership would really change the way the club is run. Yes you'd have people who cared about the club involved which is obviously a good thing but if you have £1m to spend now or £1m to spend with fan ownership you're getting the same end result.
There was a vague notion that you'd get more sponsorship and more people turning up with fan ownership but IMO that's a long way from guaranteed.

We were averaging 12000 last season. Factor in the fact of Portsmouth' s recent successes in getting to the Premier League, staying there for a while and winning the FA Cup it is nor surprising that they retained supporters. You know our story. One success in 50 years of losing a lot of games, plus two fairly recent relegations plus no stadium, plus Northampton, plus Sisu are still here. I am first generation Coventry, my family is Irish. However I just don't get people's desire to run down supporters of this club and City. Any other club who has gone through what this one has would struggle to get the crowds we do. Yet people still go and even more people still care.
The Pompey man mentioned that they had a year long loan from the Council which they knew they were going to be able to pay back. The only other details of finance I can remember him mentioning was that I think they had about 4500 shareholders each putting in 1k. This could be 1k from an individual or 1k from a group clubbing together. He also said they had 12 wealthy individuals each putting in £100 000. He may have mentioned accessing some grants but that was about all I can remember in terms of where the finance came from. Maybe you know more details.
For almost all of my football supporting life Portsmouth have been a smaller club than us with much smaller crowds. As you say Coventry is a much bigger City. Why, therefore would you be so sceptical about People in Coventry being able to at least replicate if not better what Portsmouth have done.
As a first step to getting rid of Sisu, and as a permenant way of having direct fan say so in the club so that this mess can never be repeated again, I think it is worth pursuing.

 

[cloughie]

I don't think for one minute the trust currently have a plan to take over the club.
What I gleaned from last night is that they are starting to look into the possibilities.They could definitely do with getting their findings out there for people to look at.

Pompey trust started looking into the various scenarios that could befall the club in the year they won the cup! While most fans were celebrating there were a few who were looking at the finances and seeing that they weren't adding up.
I think that' s what the trust are trying to do now, look at the various scenarios. To try and have some sort of strategy for what ever fate befalls the club in the next few years.
I'm not a member and went in last night with an open mind but with the situation we are currently in I don't think any effort to try and bring about a way of improving things should be dismissed.
It would be great if people like yourself CD, you makes some very salient, well thought out points went along to the next open meeting. All voices need to be heard.

I could not agree more with what you say and that is what is needed all voices to be heard for a united front

 

[martcov]

Whet a charming chap you are. To suggest this aggression is triggered by my "abuse" to you is laughable. You have run ins with everyone - it's Nomark, battery boy - everyone who disagrees with you gets a verbal volley of repetitive expletives. The whole thread has become a side show of abuse, wrong facts, wrong accounts, misdirection

You seem to mention me in every post you make.

Beyond a joke really.

Yes, and me. I'm one of the lucky ones though. I'm blocked by him.