So if this is a forced takeover... (3 Viewers)

[Nick]

Can anyone get hold of shapiro or Manhattan? Or tell me how to? I think we need to find out what exactly put them off. What they were told about buying the stadium.

That would be a good bit of work for the local media.

Also people like Paul Fletcher.

I am not sure if things would be confidential and if companies would just talk openly about things like that would they?

 

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[SkyblueBazza]

Yes in Rugby its relatively easier. Deal with it.

Then please...go to Rugby & never return

...onwards & upwards PUSB

 

[Moff]

Then please...go to Rugby & never return

...onwards & upwards PUSB

Oh Bazza, you seem very bitter at having your original post proved to be factually incorrect and for someone to have a differing opinion. Shame on you.

Onwards and upwards.

 

[SkyBlueZack]

That would be a good bit of work for the local media.

Also people like Paul Fletcher.

I am not sure if things would be confidential and if companies would just talk openly about things like that would they?

Not too sure. It was a while ago so can't see why there would be any sensitivity around it.Apart from maybe the interested parties wanting to keep them quiet. Imagine that family of lawyers might be busy. As for fletcher he has come out and said stuff before. Maybe as a forum we could suggest and decide on what needs to be found out and the best way of questioning to get a proper answer?

 

[SkyblueBazza]

Oh Bazza, you seem very bitter at having your original post proved to be factually incorrect and for someone to have a differing opinion. Shame on you.

Onwards and upwards.

Not bitter about anything. And I fully accept that others might well have a different opinion to mine. And I am always open minded enough to be convinced by rational argument - even if it's accompanied with snide-ness. So whenever you feel ready - go ahead & convince me. Some objective substance might be required though

...onwards & upwards PUSB

 

[Moff]

Not bitter about anything. And I fully accept that others might well have a different opinion to mine. And I am always open minded enough to be convinced by rational argument - even if it's accompanied with snide-ness. So whenever you feel ready - go ahead & convince me. Some objective substance might be required though

...onwards & upwards PUSB

Ok on a serious note, and snide free, I am referring to the amount of competitors in said competition.

If you can get through the group stages, you are straight through to the quarters. Less rounds than Football competitions eg) The Champions league. Generally in the group stages if you can hold home form you will be in the top two, and will get through to the quarters as there is always one pretty poor team each group, and three out of five second placed teams get through. The Celtic teams, and the Italians also cant compete now with the money the English and French clubs have so it is generally they that get through. It is for those reasons it is somewhat an easier chance for Wasps to get to a cup semi final than ourselves at present.

 

[skybluetony176]

I like the sisu are in control. To buy the higgs. Council had veto. Council in control. To extend the lease. Council in control. To build a new stadium. Council in control. It's absolute shite to say sisu are in total control and share most of the blame. Can anyone get hold of shapiro or Manhattan? Or tell me how to? I think we need to find out what exactly put them off. What they were told about buying the stadium.

Someone put a link up to why Manhattan pulled out just yesterday. Sadly it was to do with exchange and interest rates because of the toxic mortgage crisis just breaking in America at the time. Turns out it wasn't the councils fault like some on here keep telling everybody. The links been on this site more than once this year that I know off but the facts don't fit a polarized view

Couldn't tell you about Shapiro. Can't say I can remember ever reading anything about there bid at all. Did they actually make a bid or was it all talk?

 

[dongonzalos]

But aside from a few posters everyone knows that. Its just a fair few of us also feel that Wasps being here has not helped our situation one bit.

I can repeatedly post I hate SISU, I hate SISU, I hate SISU, but I can also say Wasps please move back to London.

It hasn't helped our situation one bit because it has completely screwed the plan by our owners.
You can say all of the above and rightly so.
However I can also say I understand why the council have done what they did. Without it meaning that I am not pissed off about what is happening to my club.

 

[Nick]

Someone put a link up to why Manhattan pulled out just yesterday. Sadly it was to do with exchange and interest rates because of the toxic mortgage crisis just breaking in America at the time. Turns out it wasn't the councils fault like some on here keep telling everybody. The links been on this site more than once this year that I know off but the facts don't fit a polarized view

Couldn't tell you about Shapiro. Can't say I can remember ever reading anything about there bid at all. Did they actually make a bid or was it all talk?

That is why really they could be followed up on, there's the report about the exchange rates which I think Joe Elliott said just after Paul Fletcher resigned out of annoyance with ACL and the council for not helping. (I am going off memory).

Yes, the Shapiro one was a bid confirmed by the council leader at the time. It was turned down because I think the Higgs would have lost a bit of money, (maybe a million?) and because they wanted a longer lease on the stadium and a bit of land to develop by the Ricoh.

 

[Nick]

However I can say I understand why the council have done what they did

I can understand why people kill people, it doesn't mean I want to try and defend them to everybody who slags them off for being a murderer.

 

[dongonzalos]

Sorry Don, I am not sure I understand wher you are coming from.

Are you saying you fully understand why we are in this mess, as if so I would love to know from the start, why Richardson spent so much, why Mcginnity didn't put us into admin, why CCC rejected the other potential bidders, why Manhatton pulled out, why SISU bought the club, why they continually messed up, what the hell they are playing at, why CCC have acted like they have, why the lies from all parties etc etc. If you can explain all that and understand every decision, well I cant quite believe it myself.

We are al annoyed, we are being shafted. Do we all have to agree why?, and is it a prerequisite that we cant despise Wasps as well? I hate them for reasons unconnected to CCFC, but as a Rugby fan. Its in my posting history and my feelings wont change. That certainly doenst make me a lesser fan, nor one who understands any less. I hate the whole situation, but accept there are a lot of unanswered questions.

No I am saying I fully understand why the council have done what they did.
I also understand why the owners of Wasps have done what they did.
(Might not agree with all of it) but I understand it.

 

[dongonzalos]

I can understand why people kill people, it doesn't mean I want to try and defend them to everybody who slags them off for being a murderer.

That's very reassuring to know
Thanks

 

[Nick]

That's very reassuring to know
Thanks

You get my point (as extreme example as it is).

 

[SkyBlueZack]

I'm sure there is two stories about the Manhattan bid. One being the exchange rate and one not dealing with the council. Maybe both are true. Maybe neither are. Would be nice to know though. Not to do with a polarised view tony. To do with finding out how on earth were in this mess. This means finding out as much as possible. Where possible from the people directly involved. Just realised you put the exchange rate reason is a fact. This been confirmed by Manhattan?

 

[Moff]

No I am saying I fully understand why the council have done what they did.
I also understand why the owners of Wasps have done what they did.
(Might not agree with all of it) but I understand it.

Fair enough, I concur with that.

Perhaps whilst I can see why they have done it and certainly don't agree with all of it, I find it hard to trust or believe what the main protagonists say in the whole saga. Not one of them comes out with any credit.

 

[dongonzalos]

I

You get my point (as extreme example as it is).

I would like to add that I don't defend rapists or terrorists :woot:

 

[SkyBlueZack]

Oh and if we're taking the exchange rate reason as fact because Elliott said so is bit rash. Elliott welcomed sisu after all. He also has been an ever present at ccfc. From Richardson era through to sisu era. Hardly a glowing report on his behalf.

 

[Nick]

Oh and if we're taking the exchange rate reason as fact because Elliott said so is bit rash. Elliott welcomed sisu after all. He also has been an ever present at ccfc. From Richardson era through to sisu era. Hardly a glowing report on his behalf.

It might not have been Elliott, it was just from memory.

I thought he sort of jumped in and made the statement after Fletcher got pissed off and resigned.

 

[SkyBlueZack]

I think it was him. Don't think it ever came from Manhattan. Saying that though we didn't here much from them at all.

 

[Nick]

So Paul Fletcher Quits - http://www.coventrycity-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/fletcher_quit_shock_356831/index.shtml - 5th October

He said: "I've always been open and told the fans the truth and this has really broken my heart. The truth is as far as the takeover is concerned we are no nearer or further than we were six or seven months ago Operation Premiership has come off the rails.'

"The Manhattan Group came this week but I never got a chance to meet them. It was then I decided to resign.

"They came over and then just jumped back on the plane home and the reason for that is the Higgs charity could not come to an agreement over the price for their shareholding. It is up to the council and the Higgs charity to represent themselves.

"But I have looked over five, six, seven stadium projects and have never come across a project where the council have been wanting to take cash out of the deal. We know where the bank stands but the council and the Higgs charity seem to want a return but it appears their requests seem to be frightening.'

Joe Elliott says it is interest rates - http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/coventry_city/7033426.stm - 8th October

Both of those contradict each other, Fletcher wasn't very nice about Higgs Trust and the Council in leaving and made it quite clear what he thought.

At the time of Elliott's statement, he was on the Higgs Centre Trust board along with PWKH and Mutton.

 

[Brylowes]

Also - we'd get 10 times more people at a victory parade if we won League 1 than they'd get if they won the Rubgy Premiership.

We would indeed, and this is the very reason certain connected party's
Might look to take us on.
Its all about the potential, and potentially we dwarf wasps

 

[Nick]

We would indeed, and this is the very reason certain connected party's
Might look to take us on.
Its all about the potential, and potentially we dwarf wasps

the sad thing is unless we get a rich arab owner other parties in this mess could still try and stick their oar in couldn't they? Even then with the rich arab owner they could.

 

[SkyBlueZack]

the sad thing is unless we get a rich arab owner other parties in this mess could still try and stick their oar in couldn't they? Even then with the rich arab owner they could.

Depends if the rich arab owner was willing to throw his money around I suspect. If he was I imagine he would have freedom of the city.

 

[Brylowes]

the sad thing is unless we get a rich arab owner other parties in this mess could still try and stick their oar in couldn't they? Even then with the rich arab owner they could.

Think the billionaire chance has gone, what with not owning/chance of buying stadium.
However another hedge fund who happens to own a very long lease on a purpose
built stadium.the more I think about it the more I'm thinking they came here with
this very much in mind.

 

[rupert_bear]

[ /QUOTE] A billionaire has just bought Villa, another bought Bristol Rovers 6 months ago so they are around, also not owning our ground, which we never have by the way I don't see that being a barrier. Going back to the last time the Manhattan one at that time there were a number of interested parties here at the time batting for their own interests suppose you can't blame them for that, now any buyer would be dealing with just the one, although a difficult one I

 

[italiahorse]

I can understand why people kill people, it doesn't mean I want to try and defend them to everybody who slags them off for being a murderer.

Perhaps you might if it was self defence though ?

 

[Astute]

[ /QUOTE] A billionaire has just bought Villa, another bought Bristol Rovers 6 months ago so they are around, also not owning our ground, which we never have by the way I don't see that being a barrier. Going back to the last time the Manhattan one at that time there were a number of interested parties here at the time batting for their own interests suppose you can't blame them for that, now any buyer would be dealing with just the one, although a difficult one I

You don't see not owning a stadium as a barrier?

No neither do I. But this has gone much further. The ground that we did have is now gone. There is a lack of sites in Coventry where a stadium could be built. Butts? IF a big enough ground could be built, IF the infrastructure passed planning regulations and IF CCC decided to help push it through then yes there is a chance. But don't you think it is bad enough looking for a new owner to get our club off SISU without having to sort somewhere to play as the first job? Would anyone want to invest that sort of money in a division 3 club before a team is even put together?

No. They want to walk in and have a bit of fun watching their club win a few games.

And BTW we did own HR.

 

[Rodders1]

You don't see not owning a stadium as a barrier?

No neither do I. But this has gone much further. The ground that we did have is now gone. There is a lack of sites in Coventry where a stadium could be built. Butts? IF a big enough ground could be built, IF the infrastructure passed planning regulations and IF CCC decided to help push it through then yes there is a chance. But don't you think it is bad enough looking for a new owner to get our club off SISU without having to sort somewhere to play as the first job? Would anyone want to invest that sort of money in a division 3 club before a team is even put together?

No. They want to walk in and have a bit of fun watching their club win a few games.

And BTW we did own HR.

We do have an intangible asset. The "golden share" of which there are only 92 in the country. This asset gives you the potential to earn £100m for finishing bottom of the prem.

It also gives billionaires the kudos that many of them crave. Those who spend money like water may well invest in us as there's only a finite number of these "shares".

There's also a great number of people - tens of thousands even who live in a top ten city who unconditionally follow and pay to watch the club.

I'm definitely grasping at straws. But there must be more than a zero percent chance of another buyer being out there.

And if there isn't I'm all for fan ownership with the likes of a major sponsor (Jaguar springs to mind).

So I'm now hoping SISU finally do the honourable thing and step aside. They're not going to invest in a new stadium - so time to go.

 

[SkyBlueZack]

Since when has anyone done anything honourable in this mess?

 

[Shakeitup]

We do have an intangible asset. The "golden share" of which there are only 92 in the country. This asset gives you the potential to earn £100m for finishing bottom of the prem.

It also gives billionaires the kudos that many of them crave. Those who spend money like water may well invest in us as there's only a finite number of these "shares".

There's also a great number of people - tens of thousands even who live in a top ten city who unconditionally follow and pay to watch the club.

I'm definitely grasping at straws. But there must be more than a zero percent chance of another buyer being out there.

And if there isn't I'm all for fan ownership with the likes of a major sponsor (Jaguar springs to mind).

So I'm now hoping SISU finally do the honourable thing and step aside. They're not going to invest in a new stadium - so time to go.

Some may even fancy turning this mess around. I mean. The impossible seems to capture the imagination of many of these folks. There are not many more impossible things than making Coventry fans feel optimistic again!

 

[torchomatic]

Also - we'd get 10 times more people at a victory parade if we won League 1 than they'd get if they won the Rubgy Premiership.

Would there be a quarter of a million people on the streets if Wasps won their league or whatever?

Don't think so.

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[rupert_bear]

We need and deserve to know what's happening, if anything is happening, it's our club. Loads of varying views on here but the bottom line is this is our club for most of us from birth, for life. In my opinion we should unite and demand answers especially from our owners, their plans going forward especially from Chris Anderson, bloody outsider seemingly playing games with OUR club, it bloody ain't his. Sorry he can write all the theories and books he likes but he has no idea imo what supporting a football club means, you live it, breathe it. Same the other lot wasps, Higgs, whoever. I think it's time now to pressurise for answers playing the silent game is no longer acceptable.


​

 

[clint van damme]

We need and deserve to know what's happening, if anything is happening, it's our club. Loads of varying views on here but the bottom line is this is our club for most of us from birth, for life. In my opinion we should unite and demand answers especially from our owners, their plans going forward especially from Chris Anderson, bloody outsider seemingly playing games with OUR club, it bloody ain't his. Sorry he can write all the theories and books he likes but he has no idea imo what supporting a football club means, you live it, breathe it. Same the other lot wasps, Higgs, whoever. I think it's time now to pressurise for answers playing the silent game is no longer acceptable.
​

really great sentiment mate. Unfortunately it would probably be easier to get SISU to have cordial and constructive discussions with CCC and the Higgs trust than it would be to get the supporters to show a united front at the moment.​

 

[stupot07]

You don't see not owning a stadium as a barrier?

No neither do I. But this has gone much further. The ground that we did have is now gone. There is a lack of sites in Coventry where a stadium could be built. Butts? IF a big enough ground could be built, IF the infrastructure passed planning regulations and IF CCC decided to help push it through then yes there is a chance. But don't you think it is bad enough looking for a new owner to get our club off SISU without having to sort somewhere to play as the first job? Would anyone want to invest that sort of money in a division 3 club before a team is even put together?

No. They want to walk in and have a bit of fun watching their club win a few games.

And BTW we did own HR.

We dont need to own our own stadium, but we do need to access all revenues. Without that it will and has put potential owners off buying the club.

A lot of clubs dont own the freehold but have a long lease that means they lease and gain access to all revenues their 365 days per year.

A 23 day per annum rental agreement with limited/no access to revenues will put owners off.

The only other club in our situation, is Stockport county.

But we've been here before.


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[chiefdave]

I'm sure there is two stories about the Manhattan bid. One being the exchange rate and one not dealing with the council.

The first story that came out, at the time it was all going on, was that they declared the council impossible to work with. The story went that they met with the council, came out furious that their time had been wasted trying to buy the club, got on a plane and were never heard from again.

It was a few days later that we got the story that it was down to the exchange rate.

Personally I'm not sure about the exchange rate story. With the amounts we're talking about and the type of people involved they haven't got all their money sat in a current account in a US bank. They set things up so they aren't exposed to things like exchange rate fluctuations.

 

[SkyblueBazza]

Ok on a serious note, and snide free, I am referring to the amount of competitors in said competition.

If you can get through the group stages, you are straight through to the quarters. Less rounds than Football competitions eg) The Champions league. Generally in the group stages if you can hold home form you will be in the top two, and will get through to the quarters as there is always one pretty poor team each group, and three out of five second placed teams get through. The Celtic teams, and the Italians also cant compete now with the money the English and French clubs have so it is generally they that get through. It is for those reasons it is somewhat an easier chance for Wasps to get to a cup semi final than ourselves at present.

If I am understanding your logic correctly - it is easier to lay a Sparrow egg than a Goose egg. I suspect you would struggle to convince the Sparrow though.

The Champions' League set up is primarily designed to increase revenues imo...I agree with you about Celtic & the like...the competition doesn't actually reslly start until the quarter finals. The likes Barcelona, Real Madrid & a few others just have potential banana skin matches to contend with up until then.

So I am still not convinced it is easier to qualify for the Prem play-offs &/or a Euro semi-final in Rugby than football.

...onwards & upwards PUSB