It's a tough call but I'm putting this one in my diary - but if they're getting up a petition, etc, I'll sign it
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BS34Red
16 Jul 2013
executedwolf, on 16 Jul 2013 - 08:37 AM, said:
There was nothing wrong with Highfield Road, arguably better when it was demolished than Ashton Gate is now.
I won't be going to Northampton.
Their chairman at the time had grand plans, first he proposed the new stadium could be the new national stadium with a roof and also with a pitch that slides in and out, Highfield Road was sold for ten million prior to any work starting at the Ricoh. The plans for the new stadium were drastically scaled back. The council had to step in and fund the project, Coventry were offered terms that if they were in the Premier they would pay a higher rent yet if they slid down the leagues their rent would lower. Coventry thinking they wouldn't get relegated rejected this proposal.
Highfield road was a good decent stadium about a mile from the City centre, however like us it didn't provide no non match day income and was land locked so was unable to expand/develop. As for what happened to the money from the sale of the stadium well...nobody knows as the then chairman went to court to gain a confidentiality order. It is rumoured Coventry gained very little if at all from the sale and some people walked away from Coventry very rich.
redcityman, on 16 Jul 2013 - 10:02 AM, said:
Not necessarily three year though, SISSU have agreed to the deal with Northampton for three years with the option of a further two already in place.
I feel that once the fans accept relocation to Northampton it will be a very long time (if at all) before they get back to Coventry.
I appreciate that, but I feel the one million bond may be enough. I'm surprised they didn't consider playing at the Rugby stadium, Ok only holds 3000 but add a few temporary stands and they would be sorted. There has been problems bubbling away under the surface with Coventry Council ever since the Highfield Road fiasco, Now it's all coming to a head.
Monkeh, on 16 Jul 2013 - 12:08 PM, said:
fans can do nothing about that as its all about the money,
Coventry fans were quick to thank sisu when they prevented them from going into administration a couple of years back,
I don't believe the problem is Sisu anyway they have been trying for years to buy 50% of the ground in order to make some money from gate recepts and catering money,
The problem lays with who ever agreed to that stupid rent structure which was before sisu's time (i think), the local council are only crying foul now because there cash cow has gone,
A few months back Coventry were offered a 50% stake for 6.5 million. Sisu agreed to this and shook hands on the deal, a gentleman's agreement. However a few days later Sisu pulled out of the deal.
As I said above rent was agreed thinking they wouldn't be relegated so could easily afford the rent, they was offered a sliding scale at the time but they rejected it thinking relegation would never happen as they had spent the last 30 years in the top flight.
It's rumoured ACL were in a financial mess and were gonna go into administration, Sisu thought they would then be able to acquire ACL and therefore the stadium on the cheap, However Coventry Council lent ACL the money to pay off their mortgage. This has caused massive friction and Sisu are seeking a judicial review.
