An Asian Supporters Club - No Thanks

Last updated : 23 February 2006 By Ziad C
So Paul Fletcher wants to start up a Coventry City Supporters club specifically for the Asian community then? Is Mr Fletcher telling me that we don't attract enough Asian support? I am Asian (folks from Pakistan) and I find this very bizarre and offensive to hear I club I love so much wants to start a supporters club for 'us Asians'.

One question I will pose to you. Have you asked Raj Atwell, CCFC's Commercial Manager, on his views about this? I don't hear him calling for an Asian supporters club because he knows, as a Cov City supporter, that we don't need one. Stop fantasising about Bollywood movies, Bungra music, curry houses and selling shirts in India and Pakistan and think of proper ideas Mr Fletcher!

Coventry has one of the largest Asian communities in England and the football club does have a large proportion of Asian supporters so if he had bothered to do his research properly and studied the area properly then he will find that Coventry City does have a very strong Asian fan base.

Mr Fletcher obviously doesn't know Coventry (or in fact the West Midlands) very well. Neighbouring clubs such as Birmingham City, West Brom, Wolves and Leicester also have a strong Asian support and none of these clubs have an Asian supporters club so why do you want to start one for Coventry City?
And before I do go on further, Asia is a large continent where you have Arabs, middle-east, and oriental, and Asian sub-contenant made up of Indian, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis and Sri Lankan so which group are you targeting Mr Fletcher? And have you thought of the African Asians?

So what about starting one for the Irish or West Indians? Are there plans in the pipeline for this? City also has a large support from those communities so you can't leave them out. They must have a supporters club for as well or else you might find yourself in trouble with CRE, Kick Out of Racism scheme, etc. You can start one up for Gays, Lesbians, Africans,Americans, New-age travellers, asylum seekers, etc. You got to cater everyone who supports City.

I take it the plan is to go to every mosque, temple, community centre and recruit members there? I will be left out because I don't go to these places. Also it does take time and money designing leaflets and brochures printed in Asian languages. That money would be better used in building the team or saving the academy and not silly supporters clubs!

You will find plenty of Asian faces at home and away games which prove that not only Asians love their football but also Coventry City has a large proportion of Asian supporters. And you'll see a lot of Asian Stewards, Club shop workers and caterers working on matchdays at the Ricoh so they are all involved with the club.

I don't hear Ricky Bains and Vijay Siddu, two very promising youth players who are on the verge of breaking into the first team, calling for an Asian supporters club. In fact I don't hear any Asian supporters calling for an Asian CCFC supporters club and I'm definitely not calling for one!

Coventry City is a family club. It has a very proud traditional of being a great family club and long it may continue. It attracts support from all sections of the community and will continue to do so.

Does it matter, Mr Fletcher if the person who goes through the turnstiles is Asian? White, Black, Asian, Purple, Green - they are all supporters in the end - just remember that Mr Fletcher. Just concentrate to getting the Coventry City back into the Premiership and not pathetic ideas like starting supporters clubs for Asians and who ever else. Coventry City is a club for all section of communities and lets keep it that way.

SKY BLUE ARMY!