Problem is, that it does hold up. It's a matter of public record...
http://coventryobserver.co.uk/news/...id-b-coventry-city-f-c-butts-groundshare/
... The Council would however wish to raise one issue following recent items in the local press suggesting that professional football was coming to the Butts Arena. I suspect that this is not the case however the Council naturally wants to protect its position as well as the Rugby Club.
It is suggested that we look to add a new clause 12 to the Licence which make a variation or agreement/acknowledgement between the parties that the reference within clause 13.1 of the lease to “any other leisure and sporting activities and uses” shall specifically exclude professional association football or training associated therewith.
Julie Sprayson – Place Team
Resources Directorate – Legal Services
Then you've answered your own question.
Have SISU attempted to look at Butts as an option? Yes they have.
Did the leaseholder and/or others at the council look at ways to block the usage of the site by a football club? Yes they did.
You can argue over whether SISU were genuine and would have followed through but the evidence is now there that can be used by them if needed.
Vested interest = funding it...
Again, you're arguing over the 'truth' and in so doing, missing the point entirely.
There is enough evidence to present the case I've outlined. If you were the football league, would you take the side of your member... or some outside influences? Which would you choose *anyway* with *zero* argument to be made? Which would you choose when there most certainly *is* an argument to be made?
You don't have to believe it, I don't have to believe it. We are irrelevant. What's relevant is that it's there.
And the fact is, a letter trying to obstruct and make things difficult will be with them.Did the council block SISU, no
Have they explained what they were doing, yes
Did the lease holder actually block them, yes
You can believe them or not unfortunately you cannot actually disprove their explanation and they also said they wouldn't try and block any deal between SISU and the Butts.
The leaseholder said he wasn't interested in dealing with SISU which is his perogative
As I say the FL will need to deal with the facts not supposition
And the fact is, a letter trying to obstruct and make things difficult will be with them.
I am merely saying what the FL have to deal with
The thing is, whether it is meant or not. It very much does look like CCFC are being forced away.
Whether it is aimed to damage SISU or not, put all the facts down on paper about the butts, Wasps refusing to talk and the academy and how does it look to an outsider?
There is 1 ground in the city, the other possibility was the Butts.
That is certainly a picture that can be painted Nick and mainly from one side or slant, the only way a truth comes out is in court however. I think we as fans rely far too readily on mainly media output and hearsay, there is a lot more that goes on behind the scenes that often means the public picture is nothing like a truth. Assumption becomes a truth and it simply is not.
Could there be an organised plan yes equally I think you could argue (paint a picture of) people having given up and moving in a different direction. We don't know for sure no matter who puts out the PR
Yes but that didn't actually stop the football club going to the Butts.
The lease holder did.
Don't get me wrong it seems the council were trying to block it, but they said it was a judgement in error and was trying to see if the butts were in negotiations as oppose to a genuine attempt to block it.
They then said they wouldn't block it and would assess the planning permission like anyone else.
No whether you believe them or not is another mate but the FL need to deal with facts and the council never blocked them the leaseholder did.
Nothing to do with what I or you believe - it's on record. The facts are that the Council took steps that as a matter of public record said that they were seeking to protect their position by locking CCFC out of the Butts. It's absolutely undeniable, it's there in black and white mate.
That is as clear evidence as you like that the Council were prepared to try to stop CCFC moving to the Butts. The leaseholder was involved after the fact, and subsequent retractions carry little weight given what the council are now demanding.
Your faith in the FL is touching, but I think misplaced. CCFC can prove beyond any reasonable doubt that neither the council nor Wasps are willing to help keep the club in Coventry. Wasps have said that they don't want to negotiate, CCC tried to block the move to the Butts, and have subsequently demanded money that they as yet have no legal claim to.
There's probably a stronger case now for moving the club out of the city than there has ever been before. Don't expect the FL to get in the way, when with a much weaker argument they allowed the club to slope off to Northampton.
Completely agree with this. The idea that SISU won't sell or will only sell for £60m is crazy for me. They didn't want to own a football club in the first place, it was simply an investment. They certainly don't want to own a football club that is, at best, breaking even for years to come.I believe they are looking for a way out but with a return, I suspect they wish they had never been involved.
I think Chiefdave is right in that SISU must be looking for an exit strategy and I personally dont think it would take much for them to go.
All the other interested parties are playing them at their own game and 'distressing' them by simply doing nothing and waiting.
Sisu have nowhere to go with this, and in my opinion things would change massively for CCFC's future if Sisu were gone. It is in CCC's, Wasps, and CSFs interests for CCFC (the club and the people of Coventry) to be successful and a good neighbour.
Actually you're not. The club will have a portfolio of 'evidence' - you can question the legality of it all you want.
The FL will act to support its own member. It will not side with a third party.
Not questioning the legality of it. Just that they will deal with the facts not supposition.
The council did not not block the butts deal or any other deal as there never has been any deal to be blocked on any location.
The FL will be far more demanding in requiring proof of both the clubs intention and cabability of building a new stadium, this time round.
They will not want to be seen to be approving franchising if a new stadium can't actually be built.
If that's the case then any club can say we can't build or get a new stadium in our home city so we are off to wherever
Not questioning the legality of it. Just that they will deal with the facts not supposition.
The council did not not block the butts deal or any other deal as there never has been any deal to be blocked on any location.
The FL will be far more demanding in requiring proof of both the clubs intention and cabability of building a new stadium, this time round.
They will not want to be seen to be approving franchising if a new stadium can't actually be built.
If that's the case then any club can say we can't build or get a new stadium in our home city so we are off to wherever
I understand why you would say that, but I think there is room for both to be successful. Obviously a lot would depend upon who ultimately owned the football club, but to dismiss it as a possibility would be very closed minded. I appreciate the revenue stream arguments are important but what are the alternatives? Wasps aren't going anywhere soon.It really isn't in Wasps interest for CCFC to be successful. If CCFC got to the Premier League, they would be far too powerful a force.
I understand why you would say that, but I think there is room for both to be successful. Obviously a lot would depend upon who ultimately owned the football club, but to dismiss it as a possibility would be very closed minded. I appreciate the revenue stream arguments are important but what are the alternatives? Wasps aren't going anywhere soon.
Nothing to do with what I or you believe - it's on record. The facts are that the Council took steps that as a matter of public record said that they were seeking to protect their position by locking CCFC out of the Butts. It's absolutely undeniable, it's there in black and white mate.
That is as clear evidence as you like that the Council were prepared to try to stop CCFC moving to the Butts. The leaseholder was involved after the fact, and subsequent retractions carry little weight given what the council are now demanding.
Your faith in the FL is touching, but I think misplaced. CCFC can prove beyond any reasonable doubt that neither the council nor Wasps are willing to help keep the club in Coventry. Wasps have said that they don't want to negotiate, CCC tried to block the move to the Butts, and have subsequently demanded money that they as yet have no legal claim to.
There's probably a stronger case now for moving the club out of the city than there has ever been before. Don't expect the FL to get in the way, when with a much weaker argument they allowed the club to slope off to Northampton.
Yes it is a fact. See Duffers post - it's a matter of public record.
I think you are looking at it with your footy goggles on. The demographic for the two sports is completely different and they could co-exist in the same stadium. By the time Cov get back in the Premiership Wasps are likely to be the biggest rugby club in Europe. Anyone with rugby goggles on would be happy with that. Isn't it reported that Wasps have 22 revenue streams? I don't think they would be too worried about fortnightly Premiership football.Imagine CCFC get to the Premier League, it will be a case of "who are Wasps" if we had Chelsea, Liverpool and Man Utd at home every other week.
It isn't close minded, it is common sense. The same as it wasn't close minded when people said Wasps buying the Ricoh was a disaster for CCFC and got told otherwise.
I think you are looking at it with your footy goggles on. The demographic for the two sports is completely different and they could co-exist in the same stadium. By the time Cov get back in the Premiership Wasps are likely to be the biggest rugby club in Europe. Anyone with rugby goggles on would be happy with that. Isn't it reported that Wasps have 22 revenue streams? I don't think they would be too worried about fortnightly Premiership football.
You do realise he was saying that after they had been found out? Also after they knew Millerchip wouldn't allow it also?
How naive are you?
It isn't just about the rent coming from CCFC is it and it's nothing to do with Footy Googles. The exposure that CCFC in the Premier League would get would be massive compared to Wasps. The advertising would be all about CCFC, the naming rights would be all about CCFC.
CCFC would get too powerful, they would be able to call the shots. they would have the premier league and FA kissing their arse if anybody like the council ever acted up.
To sit there and say Wasps would want CCFC to be as successful as possible is just swallowing their PR.
No - it just means that I have a different opinion to you Nick.
Jeese - I've only been a member for 2 hours and you guys are like men in black showing up in record time to shut down any dissenting voices!
At least I got a trophy for joining!
The bit about people like me being gullible and falling for PR, suggesting I haven't got a mind of my own wasn't very constructive. I know PR is your pet thing of the moment, but it doesn't mean you are right and everyone else is off the mark.I'm not shutting anybody down, it is disagreeing and it was quite constructive as well wasn't it?
It isn't just about the rent coming from CCFC is it and it's nothing to do with Footy Googles. The exposure that CCFC in the Premier League would get would be massive compared to Wasps. The advertising would be all about CCFC, the naming rights would be all about CCFC.
CCFC would get too powerful, they would be able to call the shots. they would have the premier league and FA kissing their arse if anybody like the council ever acted up.
To sit there and say Wasps would want CCFC to be as successful as possible is just swallowing their PR.
The bit about people like me being gullible and falling for PR, suggesting I haven't got a mind of my own wasn't very constructive. I know PR is your pet thing of the moment, but it doesn't mean you are right and everyone else is off the mark.
The hypothetical bit about what might happen if Cov get to the Premier League was interesting but debatable.
What CCFC desperately needs is a fix now, and not a flowery debate what might possibly happen in 5 - 10 years time if they become a superpower again
PR isn't my pet thing, people have been gulping it down since PWKH was on here years ago whipping up a storm. It is maybe the fact I can see it in action and have seen how people suddenly change after a press statement explains a fair bit.
My point was you saying Wasps want CCFC to be successful, I gave some reasons why they wouldn't, you played it down as hypothetical.
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