oldskyblue58
CCFC Finance Director
So what do we think we know or should question
Facts?
- Their first and over riding aim is to get the fixtures played
- Their rules and regulations are littered with the words "at the discretion of"
- that just because it is written in their rules it doesnt mean that will be the reality due to the discretion clauses
- They do not see their role as getting involved in third party disputes
- they are regulated by the FA
Opinion
- It would seem that the FL office proceedures at least contributed to the CCFC situation in that they did not spot players being registered to a different entity to the one with the golden share. Does that make them complicit?
- they will want the CVA process over with asap ideally for them by the start of the season. That will get them round statements like groundshare dependent on coming out of administration satisfactorily. So given there is 3 weeks to start of season will the cooling off period of 28 days apply or will they recognise the new owners immediately?
- They will not refuse to register the share with Otium in order complete process on basis that there is no good reason not to, and they rely on the administrators work. How do they know the quality of what has been done?
- They will expect a £1m bond....... well actually no they expect a promise to pay in three years time.
- They expect detailed plans of the new ground ...... well no because no site purchased, so no detailed plans, that means they must be accepting a promise to return and build surely doesnt it?
- The new owners are fit and proper? .......... well yes they self certificate that they are because FL has no real capacity to investigate
- Real Football Real Fans ............ not sure the wishes thoughts or concerns of fans are high on the list of considerations for the FL, perhaps time for a rebrand?
- The rules do not permit beneficial ownership and yet Otium/SISU have relied on that to convince the FL & Administrator of their case - how is that right?
- The FL rely on the facts of each case individually, and yet have no powers of investigation. Is it not strange that the meetings with ACL are left late? Is it strange that no senior FL figure will meet the fans? Is it strange that no one on the FL Board has attended any third party meetings? Yet the Board have exercised their discretion and made decisions
- The FL want the player contracts with the Golden share in the same company - so if they award Otium the share how does that happen when the contracts are in CCFCH ? How is that different to what went on apparently before with CCFC Ltd? or will we see everything shifted to Otium?
- Clearly the governance provided by the FA is questionnable given the above?
- if everything is "at the discretion of" how can the football creditors rule stand up?
- the inability to regulate effectively and robustly leaves loop holes that will permit franchise club opportunities for those with the resolve (SISU) to drive through.
- How does the ownership rules operate when no one knows who the investors are. Could the same investor be involved in multiple clubs?
Conclusions ?
The Football League is only interested in getting the fixtures played
The fans are a commodity pretty much like mushrooms
Rules mean nothing if everything is at the discretion of the Board
The Football League have no backbone or regulatory teeth
CCFC could be doing a "wimbledon" and the FL are powerless, or choose not, to do anything about it
The FL is prepared to accept promises, that can easily change, in order to get the fixtures done
This game of ours pays very little attention to the Fans other than lip service
Final Questions
- Will CCFC ever be coming back?
- Is NTFC now at serious risk?
- Can the FL not see the way the links with the City of Coventry are being broken?
- Will the events surrounding CCFC create opportunities for others to become franchise clubs?
- Will the football league ever sort their own house out?
- Will Government step in to regulate?
HOW CAN WE HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THE FOOTBALL LEAGUE?
Facts?
- Their first and over riding aim is to get the fixtures played
- Their rules and regulations are littered with the words "at the discretion of"
- that just because it is written in their rules it doesnt mean that will be the reality due to the discretion clauses
- They do not see their role as getting involved in third party disputes
- they are regulated by the FA
Opinion
- It would seem that the FL office proceedures at least contributed to the CCFC situation in that they did not spot players being registered to a different entity to the one with the golden share. Does that make them complicit?
- they will want the CVA process over with asap ideally for them by the start of the season. That will get them round statements like groundshare dependent on coming out of administration satisfactorily. So given there is 3 weeks to start of season will the cooling off period of 28 days apply or will they recognise the new owners immediately?
- They will not refuse to register the share with Otium in order complete process on basis that there is no good reason not to, and they rely on the administrators work. How do they know the quality of what has been done?
- They will expect a £1m bond....... well actually no they expect a promise to pay in three years time.
- They expect detailed plans of the new ground ...... well no because no site purchased, so no detailed plans, that means they must be accepting a promise to return and build surely doesnt it?
- The new owners are fit and proper? .......... well yes they self certificate that they are because FL has no real capacity to investigate
- Real Football Real Fans ............ not sure the wishes thoughts or concerns of fans are high on the list of considerations for the FL, perhaps time for a rebrand?
- The rules do not permit beneficial ownership and yet Otium/SISU have relied on that to convince the FL & Administrator of their case - how is that right?
- The FL rely on the facts of each case individually, and yet have no powers of investigation. Is it not strange that the meetings with ACL are left late? Is it strange that no senior FL figure will meet the fans? Is it strange that no one on the FL Board has attended any third party meetings? Yet the Board have exercised their discretion and made decisions
- The FL want the player contracts with the Golden share in the same company - so if they award Otium the share how does that happen when the contracts are in CCFCH ? How is that different to what went on apparently before with CCFC Ltd? or will we see everything shifted to Otium?
- Clearly the governance provided by the FA is questionnable given the above?
- if everything is "at the discretion of" how can the football creditors rule stand up?
- the inability to regulate effectively and robustly leaves loop holes that will permit franchise club opportunities for those with the resolve (SISU) to drive through.
- How does the ownership rules operate when no one knows who the investors are. Could the same investor be involved in multiple clubs?
Conclusions ?
The Football League is only interested in getting the fixtures played
The fans are a commodity pretty much like mushrooms
Rules mean nothing if everything is at the discretion of the Board
The Football League have no backbone or regulatory teeth
CCFC could be doing a "wimbledon" and the FL are powerless, or choose not, to do anything about it
The FL is prepared to accept promises, that can easily change, in order to get the fixtures done
This game of ours pays very little attention to the Fans other than lip service
Final Questions
- Will CCFC ever be coming back?
- Is NTFC now at serious risk?
- Can the FL not see the way the links with the City of Coventry are being broken?
- Will the events surrounding CCFC create opportunities for others to become franchise clubs?
- Will the football league ever sort their own house out?
- Will Government step in to regulate?
HOW CAN WE HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THE FOOTBALL LEAGUE?
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