Right, a call to action! (3 Viewers)

skybluebeduff · May 17, 2012

My email been sent, will post a reply on here if I receive one.
:blue:

mark82 · May 17, 2012

Brighton Sky Blue said:
Dear Councillor Mutton,

I write to you regarding the current negotiations between Coventry City Council, the Higgs Charity, ACL, and SISU, the present owners of Coventry City Football Club. As a proud Coventrian and Coventry fan yourself, I am sure that you like all fans are saddened by the demise of the football club over the past decade. The reasons for this demise as you well know are many and complex in nature-of that, there is no doubt. However, the 5 years experienced under the present owners has been one initially of relief as the club was rescued from the jaws of administration, ultimately concluding in anger and humiliation with relegation to the third tier.
During the past 3 years we have seen numerous changes at boardroom level, more assets sold than replaced, and the quality on the pitch steadily, then steeply, decline. Chairmen and board members have resigned in protest at the way SISU have run the club, new regimes have been installed and have repeatedly failed to show signs of real change. We have been promised transparency and been delivered none. We have been told that mistakes have been made, but mistakes continue to be made. We have been told repeatedly that the owners have the best interests of the club at heart, but their actions to date show them to be having their own interests at heart with the club a secondary concern. Die-hard fans have refused to go and watch the club they have supported for decades because the hurt is too much for them to continue.
That brings me to the focal point of this e-mail. Currently, the Council and 2 other parties find themselves with SISU at the negotiating table. Through these negotiations, SISU hope to acquire access to the lucrative benefits of stadium revenue and stakeholdings in the Ricoh Arena. Again, I implore you, as a Coventrian as well as a Coventry City fan, to fight tooth and nail to prevent such a secretive, devious organisation from acquiring such rights. The people of Coventry do not deserve such a valuable and core asset to the community to go to the wall whilst SISU seize the benefits-and nor should these people be allowed to have a terrific venue placed into their hands.
The stadium should ultimately belong to the football club, which itself belongs to the people of Coventry. Few people disagree with that. With these negotiations, the Council has an opportunity to fight for the people it is supposed to represent-handing over the reins to people who have laid waste to our football club is not what anybody wishes to see. In summary, my message to you is this: The club is of infinitely greater value to this city than a hedge fund can ever be-and for that reason, it is the club that should benefit from its home ahead of its devious owners. Put the club first, and I trust you to do what is right by Coventrians at home and far away.

Best regards, ____________

You think you could but that into a petition?

mark82 · May 17, 2012

mark82 said:
You think you could but that into a petition?

Although try to make it appeal to non Coventry supporters and those outside Coventry also to maximise signatures.

Brighton Sky Blue · May 17, 2012

Could include an extra paragraph on that before the final one maybe?

mark82 · May 17, 2012

Just read through properly. Needs to be clearer that we don't want SISU to own the stadium nor the club while SISU own the club.

Brighton Sky Blue · May 17, 2012

Then the petition becomes more about wanting a change of club ownership than the Ricoh talks; if it's Mutton we're addressing, he can only have sway over the latter which is why I focussed more on that instead.

gary_ccfcforever · May 17, 2012

ive created it but it has to be checked before it can go live on the hm website

cloughie · May 17, 2012

Mine is sent

Dear Cllr Mutton

I am concerned by recent reports that Coventry City FC are currently in negotiations with the owners of the Ricoh Arena with a veiw to buy a share in AC. ,As a Coventry City supporter and a Coventry Council Taxpayer I am very much against the Sisu having any involvement in ownership or running of the Ricoh arena or or the ACL company.

Since the current owners Sisu took over the Club 5 years ago its position has gone from bad to worse both on and off the field. I have neither seen or heard anything from Sisu that convinces me they would run ACL any differently to how they have run the Football Club.

In fact I would fully expect that the Ricoh Arena would end up in the same position as Coventry City Football Club with all assets either mortgaged or borrowed against with another of their sister companies ie AVRO holding a debenture against the arena. All in the name of a secret hedge fund ensuring they get a return on their bad investment, at a sizable cost to the citizens of Coventry.

I implore you as a fellow supporter and a Coventry citizen to do the right thing for our City and not allow these people any form of ownership over this wonderful Coventry asset.

If Sisu are allowed any ownership of the Ricoh Arena it will be the legacy that YOU will always be remembered for by the people of this City

Yours Sincerely

gary_ccfcforever · May 17, 2012

Dear Councillor Mutton,

As a fellow Coventry City Fan, I am urging you to not allow any sale of any part of the Ricoh Arena to the parasites that are our current owners SISU.

Over 4 years now they have proved themseleves to be devious, sly and untrustworthy cowboys. If you really are a Coventry City Fan like you claim, then i am asking you to not allow them to gain an interest in any part of the Ricoh Arena!!

If you allow this deal to happen you will have failed all Coventry City fans and also Coventry taxpayers!!!!!!

Don't let it be you that puts the final nail in this once proud clubs coffin!!!

Yours Faithfully.

cloughie · May 17, 2012

Mutton replied to me the following

Thanks for the feedback Barry. Your views are entirely in line with my own, however, as Leader of the Council, I have to explore all options that may be available including bringing in new investors or new owners, that does not mean though, that I would ever allow Sisu to be able to use the Ricoh as collateral to be able to borrow against it and then disappear.

Best wishes,

John.

cloughie · May 17, 2012

Which sounds like a horror story sisu in ownership long term of CCFC and a share of the arena

ccfctommy · May 17, 2012

ccfcjohn said:
is John Clarke still a councillor?

anyone think a protest outside the council house would do any good? get some national news coverage instead of just CET???

No he isn't.

Brighton Sky Blue · May 17, 2012

You've done well to get a quick response Cloughie-I can't say his reply fills me with confidence.

mark82 · May 17, 2012

Brighton Sky Blue said:
You've done well to get a quick response Cloughie-I can't say his reply fills me with confidence.

No. Sounds a little half-arsed.

Brighton Sky Blue · May 17, 2012

Well, I've just sent mine off anyway.

Otis · May 17, 2012

Dear Councillor Mutton,

As a fellow Coventry City Fan and citizen of the city of Coventry itself, I implore the council during these current negotiations, not to allow any part sale of the Ricoh Arena to the current incumbents of our club, SISU.

I like everyone else I am sure, would be very happy if something could be sorted out re the rent of the arena and this could be said for whoever were in charge of the club. I do know I speak for the vast majority of City fans in my saying that I have very strong reservations over the current owner's motives in getting their hands on any part of the stadium. At the end of the day we need to ensure that the right thing is done both for CCFC and the city of Coventry and its taxpayers.

We need owners we can trust and owners who will proactively seek to change the fortunes of CCFC for the better rather than look after their own self-interest.

I entrust you to do the right thing here and hope there is transparency on all sides.

Yours Sincerely,

Tad · May 17, 2012

Nice to get a reply. Pretty fast too. I think now the epetition is needed to back up what were all saying. If we can get a load of sigs on it, then hand it in/email it too him. If we get a lot of sigs on there, it will be too much to ignore it. This is important. Not just for the club, but for the city. We've wanted to make a difference and now we can. Get every person you can to SIGN this petition. Remember it doesn't have to be a club fan, just someone that cares about what happens in Coventry as a whole.

sylus · May 17, 2012

they dont give a shit what you or i say...or want...sisu..are here to stay,cos who the hell wants to buy a football stadium with basically no football team..or what is left is kids..doesnt own the stadium, and will have around 8000 fans in a 32000 seater stadium and riddled in debt .oh and in league one to..div3.....but i have emailed my concerns..god i hope im wrong....its only goin to get worser..

Tad · May 17, 2012

This isn't just about CCFC. Do you really want SISU owning a city landmark like the Ricoh? Cause I sure as hell don't. They've destroyed a club, don't want them destroying a a good venue too!

mark82 · May 17, 2012

gary_ccfcforever said:
ive created it but it has to be checked before it can go live on the hm website

Any news on this yet?

smouch1975 · May 17, 2012

Done.....

Good evening John. I have taken the time to pen you from Perth, Western Australia.

I have in the twenty years I have been away from the City, remained a loyal supporter of CCFC and lover of the city in general.

John, I wish to inform you, I support a reduction in rent of the RICOH, for CCFC, given their present league position.

I do also firmly believe for the club to be successful it would require access to income streams from the venue. I do acknowledge, these have not been denied by the council. But all parties now need a fresh look at things, with a view to moving forward.

Lastly John, I implore you to never enter any agreement that sees SISU take any part of the stadium.

I Sir, remain your obedient servant

gary_ccfcforever · May 17, 2012

not yet it says up to seven days i think il have to go for another hosting site

gary_ccfcforever · May 17, 2012

right i've set one up here. Please spread around as much as possible

http://www.change.org/petitions/cov...tol-to-purchase-any-stake-in-the-ricoh-arena#

Brighton Sky Blue · May 17, 2012

It's capital not Capitol

Diehard Si · May 17, 2012

skybluemarky said:
The club owning the stadium is the only way forward for us.

Exactly.

preferably not SISU, but the alternative to this is liquidation. If its SISU we are stuck with then we'll have to grin and bear it, but the club MUST own the stadium. I'm not really sure what people arn't getting about it to be honest.

1nilandwe... · May 17, 2012

I've sent my email. Nice one Otis. And I can't remember who it was, but thank you to whoever wrote the template.

Brighton Sky Blue · May 17, 2012

They want it for nothing though which is plain unreasonable.

1nilandwe... · May 17, 2012

And signed the petition too.

ashbyjan · May 17, 2012

I know its a pedantic point but not one that I want any slimy politician to be able to use to wriggle out of promises etc but I don't believe we should be talking about ownership of the stadium because I don't think this is what is being negotiated about. I highly doubt that a: council will ever sell the freehold of the stadium b: that SISU could afford the frrehold of a £100m stadium c: what benefit would it give them apart from being able to borrow against - if they have the money to buy it why would they need to borrow against it unless they'd bought it for a knock down price.

So I believe what SISU are trying to buy is the 50% in ACL from the Higgs Charity which would give them all the benefits of income streams etc. The council has the power to veto this. So in the letters saying "don't sell them the stadium" is a bit redundant and would allow Mutton and co to hide behind "well we didnt sell them the stadium we allowed them to buy 50% of the company that has the lease on the stadium".

Just want to be sure all are being accurate with what they are asking council not to do - it complex and don't expect any clarity from the shoddy reporting from the CT etc.

Or have I misunderstood and people are happy for SISU to have the 50% of ACL just not the actual freehold of the stadium? If so I apologise.

Sub · May 17, 2012

i do not want SISU to have any part of anything would just like them to cut there loses and sell the club at a resonable price and leave not that i think that will ever happen!!

Paxman II · May 17, 2012

Hmmm....the sentiment is correct but guys the business world turns in mysterious ways and there are more than one way to skin a cat.

Whoever owns the stadium (and I've posted it elsewhere) the deal should ensure it will be a benefit of CCFc and not SISU per-say. That's the complicated issue for the negotiators to resolve who all know the truth and the facts.

The problem is we don't. Harping on with such sentiments as these only continue with rumour and conjecture and are not based on ant facts.

Paul Fletcher came out with a few comments regarding the shares issue originally and after reading that I gained a few more facts I was unaware of and realised the council played dirty too!

So guys lets leave this to the protagonist at the table and stop speculating and assuming complaining to the council is the right thing.

Those of you who have experience in business for any period of time may understand where I'm coming from. Those of you who have never had a business perhaps should defer your opinions until you know all the facts.

Sub · May 17, 2012

will we ever know all the facts tho ?? i dont think we have and ever will :thinking about::thinking about:

wingy · May 17, 2012

Paxman II said:
Hmmm....the sentiment is correct but guys the business world turns in mysterious ways and there are more than one way to skin a cat.

Whoever owns the stadium (and I've posted it elsewhere) the deal should ensure it will be a benefit of CCFc and not SISU per-say. That's the complicated issue for the negotiators to resolve who all know the truth and the facts.

The problem is we don't. Harping on with such sentiments as these only continue with rumour and conjecture and are not based on ant facts.

Paul Fletcher came out with a few comments regarding the shares issue originally and after reading that I gained a few more facts I was unaware of and realised the council played dirty too!

So guys lets leave this to the protagonist at the table and stop speculating and assuming complaining to the council is the right thing.

Those of you who have experience in business for any period of time may understand where I'm coming from. Those of you who have never had a business perhaps should defer your opinions until you know all the facts.

PLease don't patronise in this way ,we do have brain cells between our ears ,and are obviously able to discern the various strands of our demise ,came to the conclusion many moons ago that the council have not been benign in their dealings with the club and the joke that have operated our club in the last two years are clueless,the bile they get they deserve.

mark82 · May 17, 2012

Think it's worth starting a new thread with the petition at the top, so it doesn't get lost in history. Will do it later when I get home if no one else gets chance.

gary_ccfcforever · May 17, 2012

so paxman once again you want us to sit and do nothing??

I dont proclaim to have a bussiness mind however when faced with the facts about sisu over the last 4 years, being a Coventry Tax payer and a Season ticket holder I do not want SISU capital to gain any sort of control over the Ricoh Arena.

Where has the money suddenly appeared from for this deal??

Sisu don't invest -we are relegated as a result.

Sisu start bleating that our income streams have been cut in half due to relegation, whos fault is that??? So they have the money to purchase the half share.. why wasnt this money invested in the squad last season to keep us in the championship or even try to make us competitive enough to mount a promotion charge and therefore increasing our income streams rather than end up in a situatio where they are slashed in half??

Now they want a cut price deal on the Ricoh because of their own mistakes and shortcomings... no i just don't buy it.

People are saying surely this is a good thing?? Please tell me how?? Can you see SISU suddenly giving us a budget to gain promotion? No! SISU care only for themselves not for Coventry City FC and its fans. It doesnt matter which way i look at this it just spells further bad news for CCFC and its fans and the Coventry tax payer and for that reason i cant sit back and do nothing.

Granted the council are not blameless but i'd rather them keep control over SISU right now!

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