Mark Robins Plea (14 Viewers)

mark82 said:

The reduction in costs, particularly on player side, is probably the most obvious one. Being self sustainable is obviously a better long term strategy than not. Unfortunately our only real revenue is ticket sales and fans would rather stay at home and moan about the lack of money being spent.

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Totally agree we are no longer hemorrhaging millions or hundreds of thousands. Playing to our means resulted in playing at this level. ineveitable.

SISU brought Robins in. Give them credit for that.
Robins is being backed by a competitive budget this year. They could have sold in last years January transfer Window, Willis, Stevenson, Haynes etc. they no longer looking to fire sale our assets.

I firmly believe we can get to the Championship under SISU but that's where it ends, they will not have funds or invest at that point to get us level above.

Is this the same Mark Robbins who said he had "Sky Blue blood" whilst previously being our Manager, only to leave his job and become the Manager of Huddersfield?

I think as the manager he has to say much of what has been reported. He has to encourage people to go but i just wished he had focused on how the team is now performing not allowed himself to get drawn in to the off field stuff.

I am as sick and tired of all the off field stuff as everyone, I can see past that, I dont believe the owners are taking money out of the club, but the CCFC product has been pretty dire for seasons with the odd positive blip. I understand the finances, i would hope the owners had a better handle on what it takes but they havent, instead they have ravaged the club by their actions, a club the supporters cared passionately about, not for a season but for years. There by creating a situation where the manager has to try mediate between club and its fans simply for the team to prosper or even survive you couldnt make it up really could you. Very sad

To my mind what encourages people to go is not letting bygones be bygones (i am not sure many can do that after decades of failure and some of the worst owners to ever own a football club) but it is the product on the pitch. Up until the Stoke result it has been pretty poor League 2 fare that has been most of the time awful and inconsistent. Luckily the division is so poor we are still firmly in the mix. To some bygones be bygones could well stir up exactly the opposite reaction to the one he wants.

Unfortunately SISU still own CCFC. still operate in the same way, still use the club when it suits to their own ends. They are not the same SISU is not CCFC and never has been but SISU controls CCFC and is it really any surprise there is little trust of their ownership. In the background superficial changes do not mask that nothing has changed

Fans or potential fans are being asked to part with a significant part of their wealth on a hope. Hope has been dashed so many times. To draw a line under things. Are the owners prepared to do the same, to draw that line, are they prepared to invest a proportion of their wealth going forward too? We are all in it together apparently.

Interesting Reid pops up all of a sudden with the preamble after being so quiet for so long. Quoting bygones be bygones then not letting it be that. I suspect several things (a) that the club is significantly under budget in terms of income (so any extra fans would actually only fund that) (b) from reid's comments i suspect a deal on extending the deal at the Ricoh is not imminent and (c) the directors/owners are starting to sweat on that deal because they have publish accounts 28/02/2018 showing a going concern (no ground to play in no going concern and moving out of Coventry could be as good as winding the club up)

Robins is right the club needs the money from bigger crowds, the solution is not in the history but on the pitch, provide a consistent winning team and fans wont have to forgive and forget, they will need to be there to see it

I am prepared to hand over money but forgive and forget the owners not sure i can do that

Just my opinion

This article has impeccable timing to thoughts that have been mulling around me.

I'm an awful city "supporter". My support comes in waves. I moved to the UK in 2011 and went straight to a city game within a couple of weeks of my arrival. I started reading all about ex players, Highfield road and the history of CCFC. Relegation. This is a chance for a rebuild. My attention wained.

Mark Robins, a cup run. I went to the odd game. The best football match I have seen live; Coventry scored two last minute goals against Preston. I hugged a stranger.

Let's put all of this into context. I'm a kiwi, rugby union is in my blood, much like football is in you, the reader.

Coventry get moved to Northampton, and I'm confused, angry, and I give up on the city.

Wasps move to town. Top-flight rugby, it's exciting for me. I'm swept up in it. I've been a Wasps season ticket holder since their first full season. I follow city from a distance (soccer Saturday).

Relegation. League two. I look at the CET, but there's little emotion (blame me? I didn't grow up with the city).

Coventry v Stoke? I'll listen to the radio and hope they do the city proud. Result. Pride, curiosity, Mark Robins again. Watch match of the day and feel proud. Watch the draw and see Mark Robins and his lads represent themselves impeccably.

Since? I've not stopped reading about city news, listening to the podcast, twitter. It's exciting.

Now, aside from my awful writing, let's get to my point. Of course I'm disgusted in the way SISU have handled themselves and what they have done to this football club, but is it time to recognise that perhaps staying away is hurting this football club just as much as what the incapable ownership have?

I'm going up. This team needs everyone, even contradictory, wasp supporting idiots like me.

I'm having a pint, don't expect a reply to any quotes tonight.

Hitman72 said:

Is this the same Mark Robbins who said he had "Sky Blue blood" whilst previously being our Manager, only to leave his job and become the Manager of Huddersfield?

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I wish we could put that one to bed. I think it is a lesson learned in his case and for us he is best manager we have right now.
Every time he puts his head above the parapet this is the stick used to beat him so perhaps best he concentrates on the pitch and not in to the politics.
That said I hope that the lasped fans spend as much time and effort thinking about the Sky Blues as they will in trying to get a ticket for MK and the promotion winning game.

Hang on a second. I don't believe even MR went political. Don't know where these quotes have come from? and why are we reading the worst into them? Wasn't there supposed to a very positive vibe feeling around the club etc.

Then we get this bullshit , peeps jumping on any semblance of negativity.

That Guy said:

This article has impeccable timing to thoughts that have been mulling around me.

I'm an awful city "supporter". My support comes in waves. I moved to the UK in 2011 and went straight to a city game within a couple of weeks of my arrival. I started reading all about ex players, Highfield road and the history of CCFC. Relegation. This is a chance for a rebuild. My attention wained.

Mark Robins, a cup run. I went to the odd game. The best football match I have seen live; Coventry scored two last minute goals against Preston. I hugged a stranger.

Let's put all of this into context. I'm a kiwi, rugby union is in my blood, much like football is in you, the reader.

Coventry get moved to Northampton, and I'm confused, angry, and I give up on the city.

Wasps move to town. Top-flight rugby, it's exciting for me. I'm swept up in it. I've been a Wasps season ticket holder since their first full season. I follow city from a distance (soccer Saturday).

Relegation. League two. I look at the CET, but there's little emotion (blame me? I didn't grow up with the city).

Coventry v Stoke? I'll listen to the radio and hope they do the city proud. Result. Pride, curiosity, Mark Robins again. Watch match of the day and feel proud. Watch the draw and see Mark Robins and his lads represent themselves impeccably.

Since? I've not stopped reading about city news, listening to the podcast, twitter. It's exciting.

Now, aside from my awful writing, let's get to my point. Of course I'm disgusted in the way SISU have handled themselves and what they have done to this football club, but is it time to recognise that perhaps staying away is hurting this football club just as much as what the incapable ownership have?

I'm going up. This team needs everyone, even contradictory, wasp supporting idiots like me.

I'm having a pint, don't expect a reply to any quotes tonight.

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Sometimes it takes an outsider to see it clearly and say it as it is, even a Wasps supporting Kiwi.

That Guy said:

This article has impeccable timing to thoughts that have been mulling around me.

I'm an awful city "supporter". My support comes in waves. I moved to the UK in 2011 and went straight to a city game within a couple of weeks of my arrival. I started reading all about ex players, Highfield road and the history of CCFC. Relegation. This is a chance for a rebuild. My attention wained.

Mark Robins, a cup run. I went to the odd game. The best football match I have seen live; Coventry scored two last minute goals against Preston. I hugged a stranger.

Let's put all of this into context. I'm a kiwi, rugby union is in my blood, much like football is in you, the reader.

Coventry get moved to Northampton, and I'm confused, angry, and I give up on the city.

Wasps move to town. Top-flight rugby, it's exciting for me. I'm swept up in it. I've been a Wasps season ticket holder since their first full season. I follow city from a distance (soccer Saturday).

Relegation. League two. I look at the CET, but there's little emotion (blame me? I didn't grow up with the city).

Coventry v Stoke? I'll listen to the radio and hope they do the city proud. Result. Pride, curiosity, Mark Robins again. Watch match of the day and feel proud. Watch the draw and see Mark Robins and his lads represent themselves impeccably.

Since? I've not stopped reading about city news, listening to the podcast, twitter. It's exciting.

Now, aside from my awful writing, let's get to my point. Of course I'm disgusted in the way SISU have handled themselves and what they have done to this football club, but is it time to recognise that perhaps staying away is hurting this football club just as much as what the incapable ownership have?

I'm going up. This team needs everyone, even contradictory, wasp supporting idiots like me.

I'm having a pint, don't expect a reply to any quotes tonight.

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you were doing so well until you mentioned being a wasps season ticket holder. Shame, but you're dead to me now!

clint van damme said:

you were doing so well until you mentioned being a wasps season ticket holder. Shame, but you're dead to me now!

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Let's stop the hate. Message me and I'll buy you a pint sometime. We're all human and live in the same, glorious, city.

That Guy said:

Let's stop the hate. Message me and I'll buy you a pint sometime. We're all human and live in the same, glorious, city.

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it just wouldn't work mate.
I'd be drinking strong lager, you'd be buying obscure real ales.
I'd try to persuade you that wasps supporters are cunts, you'd try to defend them.
After a few I'd remain stoic whereas you would be singing songs with vaguely racist and misogynistic overtones while waving your cock about. It's football and rugby, and never the twain should meet

Hitman72 said:

Is this the same Mark Robbins who said he had "Sky Blue blood" whilst previously being our Manager, only to leave his job and become the Manager of Huddersfield?

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No, this is a different Mark Robins.

clint van damme said:

it just wouldn't work mate.
I'd be drinking strong lager, you'd be buying obscure real ales.
I'd try to persuade you that wasps supporters are cunts, you'd try to defend them.
After a few I'd remain stoic whereas you would be singing songs with vaguely racist and misogynistic overtones while waving your cock about. It's football and rugby, and never the twain should meet

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Go on, take up the offer, share a pint, if not the cock waiving, you may find what unites us is more than what divides us.

clint van damme said:

it just wouldn't work mate.
I'd be drinking strong lager, you'd be buying obscure real ales.
I'd try to persuade you that wasps supporters are cunts, you'd try to defend them.
After a few I'd remain stoic whereas you would be singing songs with vaguely racist and misogynistic overtones while waving your cock about. It's football and rugby, and never the twain should meet

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You've never met a kiwi before have you? Rugby is working class to us. Save your ales, it's Carling for me. Songs? Kareoke isn't my thing, however I have been known to knock out an alright Faith No More version of Easy.

Look, this isn't a dating site, but I know we would both see eye to eye at the core of why we are here. We ultimately want to see City back in the Premier League. We won't achieve that in-fighting. What's your stance on pork scratchings?

That Guy said:

You've never met a kiwi before have you? Rugby is working class to us. Save your ales, it's Carling for me. Songs? Kareoke isn't my thing, however I have been known to knock out an alright Faith No More version of Easy.

Look, this isn't a dating site, but I know we would both see eye to eye at the core of why we are here. We ultimately want to see City back in the Premier League. We won't achieve that in-fighting. What's your stance on pork scratchings?

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I met one once, I thought he was South African, apparently it's a common mistake.

That Guy said:

You've never met a kiwi before have you? Rugby is working class to us. Save your ales, it's Carling for me. Songs? Kareoke isn't my thing, however I have been known to knock out an alright Faith No More version of Easy.

Look, this isn't a dating site, but I know we would both see eye to eye at the core of why we are here. We ultimately want to see City back in the Premier League. We won't achieve that in-fighting. What's your stance on pork scratchings?

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I don’t believe you’re a kiwi. You’re using all the vowels for starters not just i.

My reason for not getting there very often is purely geographical and work commitments. SISU is no longer the problem. I have come to terms with the break even policy. Until someone comes along with a heap of money and a better idea ( counts Dale out ;-) ), that is the reality. We won’t go under and the players will be paid. I doubt whether SISU will let us lose the golden share by relegation out of the league. I just hope we have good cup runs and play off matches to bring in some money. We may get to the Championship with luck and then become more valuable. Increased value being our only real chance of losing SISU.

Assuming we have a stadium to play in that is...

harvey098 said:

He is concentrating on the football. He’s saying that the best chance he has of providing success on the pitch is if the fans come out and support him and the team.

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He’s saying that and more though.

“There are two sides to every argument.

We’re asking people to look past that and see past that...”

And

“Let bygones be bygones...”

Are making it about people’s feelings towards Sisu, not just the football.

I said about me getting angry more to point out that logic is out the window and the mere mention of it raises blood pressures. I can support the players and Robins (and do), but only by clearly separating my feelings for Sisu and not seeing supporting the team as counter to them. By linking the two again his words could be counter productive.

FWIW, I totally agree. We need fans, and I think if we make a proper push then come March-ish onwards we’ll see them. I’d imagine most are more concerned that we’ll drop off like we always seem to rather than any great politicial stance.

pusbccfc said:

I think the problem lies deeper than NOPM.

Of course there is a sizable number of people who haven't been since Northampton.

However, the vast majority of people staying away are involved in no direct boycott. They are staying away because of many small reasons and added together it puts people off. For example:

1) Lost the habit during the year at Northampton and haven't got back into it.
2) The Ricoh match day experience is very poor and isn't one to rush back to for the average fan. Poor atmosphere, hard to get to etc.
3) Lack of success. Forget the Checkatrade, we've done nothing since 87. We must have the lowest average league position across our history for any club.
4) Poor pricing structure and hassle buying tickets. Booking fees, collecting tickets and the Butts being out the way.

The biggest one is the habit. The amount of people I know who had season tickets during the first 4/5 years at the Ricoh who lost the habit is remarkable. They aren't officially boycotting, they have just lost interest.

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I count myself amongst that number, that and university, I completely became disengaged with football in general - last season I'd regularly forget we were playing. I even missed the Checkatrade final last season because of uni work. However, with a bit of positivity I'm more engaged, but still can't go as often as I'd like because I play rugby (heresy I know) on Saturdays. £20+ for a ticket is far too expensive for League 2 football, but, I see this more as a wider problem in English football - ticket prices across the board are terrible in the FL - as opposed to a particular gripe with our board, which, when I was a ST holder, the pricing was generally really good, if I remember correctly.

A lot of people seem aggrieved with MR saying 'there's two sides to ever argument', but I think people have generally misinterpreted the meaning of that part of the statement. To me, it's a plea to get more fans coming to watch the team, an invitation, if you will, to those who take the NOPM stance. In my estimation he's saying: 'I get where you're coming from, but, lets get back to supporting the team'. More of a genuine plea for solidarity than a political statement supporting the board. At least, that's how I interpret it.

oldskyblue58 said:

(c) the directors/owners are starting to sweat on that deal because they have publish accounts 28/02/2018 showing a going concern (no ground to play in no going concern and moving out of Coventry could be as good as winding the club up)

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I'd imagine Wasps/ACL are not going to sign any deal till after these accounts are published (or so long overdue the club might get a transfer embargo).
There is a lot of pressure building up just because of this uncertainty about the ground next season.

Captain Dart said:

I'd imagine Wasps/ACL are not going to sign any deal till after these accounts are published (or so long overdue the club might get a transfer embargo).
There is a lot of pressure building up just because of this uncertainty about the ground next season.

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You are trying your best to ramp it up.. Where's transfer embargo come from?

Nick said:

You are trying your best to ramp it up.. Where's transfer embargo come from?

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Just the way I see it, only if accounts are not published due to the reasons OSB mentioned (ie like happened a few years back when all finances were shrouded in mystery) . Hopefully that is unlikely but you can't just say all will be OK, nothing is settled till a contract to play at the Ricoh is signed. Personally I think Wasps/ACL will delay & delay till the last minute to squeeze out the best deal they can but they will agree to something because they need the money too.

Terry Gibson's perm said:

How can it be argued both ways the rent was too high it was artificially inflated to prop up a failing business

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It would be nothing in the PL and when you add in offices, shop and stadium it was reasonable.
We also at one point had 50% of ACL so 50% of its income.
Pre Sisu messed up and Sisu took it on.
It became unreasonable in the Championship and unaffordable in L1 and hence a problem.
We pay £100K for a bit of grass for a couple of hours now.
Hence, it can be argued.
.

italiahorse said:

It would be nothing in the PL and when you add in offices, shop and stadium it was reasonable.
We also at one point had 50% of ACL so 50% of its income.
Pre Sisu messed up and Sisu took it on.
It became unreasonable in the Championship and unaffordable in L1 and hence a problem.
We pay £100K for a bit of grass for a couple of hours now.
Hence, it can be argued.
.

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But we were out of the premier league when we got there

Londonccfcfan said:

Hang on a second. I don't believe even MR went political. Don't know where these quotes have come from? and why are we reading the worst into them? Wasn't there supposed to a very positive vibe feeling around the club etc.

Then we get this bullshit , peeps jumping on any semblance of negativity.

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Completely agree, it didn't sound politics when he said it. It was on the post match interview last week. Bottom line is, the club is being run at breakeven, therefore bums on seats and money through the till is needed. At the end of the day, whatever shit is going on in the background, this is our club and about a game of football. Having not had a top 6 finish for 45+ years people who are staying away for a number of reasons are the ones who are missing out on watching a successful team and will miss out celebrating any success if we manage to get promoted. As well as money through the till, having a fan base and atmosphere cheering on the kads can only help.

Back the lads, back Robins and get yourself up the Ricoh! #pusb

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italiahorse said:

It would be nothing in the PL and when you add in offices, shop and stadium it was reasonable.
We also at one point had 50% of ACL so 50% of its income.
Pre Sisu messed up and Sisu took it on.
It became unreasonable in the Championship and unaffordable in L1 and hence a problem.
We pay £100K for a bit of grass for a couple of hours now.
Hence, it can be argued.
.

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Lol

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Easy for Robins to say. He is not a Coventry fan. I don't go anymore. SISU have ruined it for me. I have a young lad who I am desparate to have him support the city -but not at any cost. These people have zero interest in the city or the people of Coventry and we will never move on with them in charge. Moving us to Northampton was unforgiveable. I am not about to sell out regardless of an F.A Cup 4th round tie at a franchise club or us being high up in the 4th tier. I find it quite insulting that Robins is saying that to be honest. Not all of us city fans are pawns who can be won over by a few words or a few wins.

I stay away and will do so until these b!stards leave.

Terry Gibson's perm said:

But we were out of the premier league when we got there

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We expected to get straight back into the PL so the management then opted not to have a sliding scale for lower divisions.

Nick said:

You are trying your best to ramp it up.. Where's transfer embargo come from?

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Isn't that what Les Reid is now doing? Been a while since he has reared his ugly head.

italiahorse said:

We expected to get straight back into the PL so the management then opted not to have a sliding scale for lower divisions.

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You keep banging on about the sliding scale rent, by we have never had any details about it. Given they needed the money it would have likely still been £1.3m in the championship, and for all we know rents in league one and two could have been something like £1m and £800k.

£1.3m pa. For a few offices, a shop and 23-26 days pitch rent with not access to revenues, etc was extortionate. We paid nearly double in rent in 10 years for that than wasps paid for 250 leasehold and acl.

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Adge said:

Isn't that what Les Reid is now doing? Been a while since he has reared his ugly head.

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Didn’t Tim Fisher write in the program at the weekend instead of Boddy as well? Never a good sign when he starts shooting his mouth.

I find older City fans like myself tend to just keep on going to matches, and leave the off field stuff to the younger supporters ? Obviously we all want SISU gone but won't let them or anybody else stop us from watching a club we've been following for decades. I get more stubborn and just say "fuck em " I'm off to the game !

Captain Dart said:

Not true, you still believe the nonsense Fisher spouts.

Firstly CCFC made almost £2.5M on transfer dealings in the last accounts, slightly more the year before.

There is also a central distribution from the EFL/Premier League to all EFL League 2 clubs, per link below for last season it was about £1,000,000
How Much Prize Money For Winning L2? | VitalFootball.co.uk

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So guessing your suggestion is to sell more players.

Ok, I appreciate there is prize money, but the more access to revenue we have the better, whatever that may be. Simplest thing is to get fans in the ground. No-one (yes, no-one) wants Sisu here but it is what it is. By not attending people aren't punishing Sisu they are punishing Mark Robins, the team & their fellow fans. I think for most people now it's just a convenient excuse. It might make them feel like they're taking the moral high ground even, but in reality it's quite the opposite.

skybluetony176 said:

Didn’t Tim Fisher write in the program at the weekend instead of Boddy as well? Never a good sign when he starts shooting his mouth.

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I think they rotate it don't they?

RoboCCFC90 said:

100% agree with you Otis, the Club need to do more as well with their ticket pricing and entice more fans back...

But I'm hoping these words don't fall on deaf ears.

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Agree with that 100%

Londonccfcfan said:

Totally agree we are no longer hemorrhaging millions or hundreds of thousands. Playing to our means resulted in playing at this level. ineveitable.

SISU brought Robins in. Give them credit for that.
Robins is being backed by a competitive budget this year. They could have sold in last years January transfer Window, Willis, Stevenson, Haynes etc. they no longer looking to fire sale our assets.

I firmly believe we can get to the Championship under SISU but that's where it ends, they will not have funds or invest at that point to get us level above.

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Playing at this level was down to incompetence last year rather than budget. Budget wise we are league 1, we should be a championship team. Without support we won't get back there.