Coventry City Football Club
Supporters’ Consultative Group Meeting
Thursday 26 June 2014, 6.30p.m.
The Squirrel Pub, Coventry
M I N U T E S
Present:
Steve Brown - SBR
Nick Connoll (CCFC) - NC
Ian Davidson, via Skype - ID
Darren Davies - DD
Adam Dent (Advent Communications) - AD
Tim Fisher (CCFC) - TF
Chris McGrath - CM
Pat Raybould - PR
Tynan Scope (CCFC) - TS
Mark Sorbie - MS
Jonathan Strange, Chairman - JS
RavTakhar - RT
Peter Ward - PW
Apologies:
Pat Abel
Steve Barnett
Jim Brown
Jan Mokrzycki
Kev Monks
Ray Stephens
The meeting was opened by the chairman who thanked everyone for coming. He welcomed back Mark Sorbie and alsointroduced and welcomed RavTakhar, a potential new member of the group with an especial interest in the needs of ethnic communities. JS went on to say: ‘There is no specific item on the agenda in connection with either the [Keep Coventry in Coventry] offer or the Judicial Review. However, Tim will I expect be happy to receive questions as normal in his CCFC Update. The judge’s decision is expected in the next few days. There will be no statement at the end of the meeting and I am sure everyone will honour confidentiality until after the official release of the minutes at 10.00 a.m. on Wednesday’.
MATTERS ARISING FROM THE LAST MEETING
SCG Material on Website
This has been updated today and is now live. The contact address is contact@ccfcscg.co.uk
Voicemail on Club phone
TS advised this is being addressed. It is hoped that the announcement voice will be changed and become live in the next week or two.
Disabled Supporters
MS had a meeting with TS and Karen Bennettfrom the club over issues connected with disabled supporters. TS reported it was a very positive meeting. The points from the meeting were sent to Sandra Garlick advising it would be beneficial and very important for her to meet MS in her role as chairman of the Stadium Forum Committee. Many of the points MS raises could and should be included in plans for the new stadium. It would be ideal to arrange a separate disabled supporters’ stadium forum. Furthermore, and this was discussed with MS, decisions could be implemented at the Ricoh at any point.
NTFC
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No signage at Northampton for Disabled Supporters (we will raise with NTFC)
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Stewards don’t know where to direct disabled supporters to gain entry (we will address internally)
Suggestions for new Stadium
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Ideally have a holding area for pre & post match for disabled supporters to be able to avoid the mad rush from able-bodied supporters at these times. Tea/coffee/kiosk facilities
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Disabled seating areas/access ramps etc to be limited to disabled supporters and their carers and able-bodied not to have access or to use as a thoroughfare. At times able-bodied fans rush through running into wheelchairs and other disabled supporters
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Disabled fans to have a specific and dedicated kiosk and queuing system with lower counters for wheelchair uses, hearing loops etc. Not for able-bodied fans
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Look to have the disabled seating area, kiosks, toilets, holding areas all together in one area so that all facilities are together with ease of access
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Have a dedicated disabled steward that remains the same for each match so the steward knows each disabled supporter’s requirements etc and can be helpful/assist where necessary
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Stewards and police at many grounds tend to congregate around the disabled bays blocking access and views
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Clubs that are great examples of how they look after disabled supporters are Wigan and Shrewsbury
At the Ricoh we had 70 dedicated disabled bays around the stadium which sold out every season/match.
Irish Fans' Tickets
JS –‘Ian Davidson has asked me to reiterate a question in reference to Matters Arising from a previous meeting. It is as follows:
At the SCG last evening Kevin asked about ticketing arrangements for the Irish supporters Group and whether the arrangements to obtain tickets on priority they had with Dan Walker could be continued…I wanted to ask that the Sky Blues International (SBI) members are also included in any such request.
‘SBI continues to flourish, I am glad to see, thriving on Ian’s diligence and devotion. However, Ian’s request may strike some as a little surprising when Coventry City London Supporters’ Club, of which SBI is a major part, has - according to its own words - suspended its practical relationship with the football club. This is clearly inferred in CCLSC/SBI’s statement on ground-sharing issued in July 2013. And this statement calls upon and encourages members to penalise the very organisation CCLSC/SBI claims to support.
Protest is important and Sky Blue dissidence has several eloquent mouthpieces, but the constitutionally stated primary aim of Coventry City London Supporters’ Club is specific. It is, ‘to support and encourage Coventry City Football Club’ – and, it should be noted, without qualification.
I raise this because, in this instance, priority treatment is being sought from the football club to enable SBI members to attend games when, at the same time, CCLSC/SBI is encouraging these very same members not to buy, say, a club shirt or a club scarf to wear to the game.
SBI members constitute 85% of the membership of CCLSC. How many of them could have been given any prior notice of such resolutions when they were proposed and adopted on the spot at CCLSC’s AGM?
I do not presume to speak on behalf of the football club but I hope that once CCLSC can resolve its evident confusion about its own role, the football club will feel encouraged to consider the original proposal from Kevin Heffernan – in the interests of all supporters’ groups’.
ID interrupted JS before the end of his second sentence, attempting to prevent him from continuing. He called into question the relevancy of what JS was saying to the SCG. ID said that JS’s facts on the numbers of members and the constitution were wrong,and that JS was unawareof developments as he had resigned from CCLSC a year ago. ID did not specify any details.Members have been consulted over the constitution which is on the agenda of the coming AGM. JS observed that it seemed to be a case of locking the stable door. ID asked TS whether CCFC agreed with JS that CCFC should not provide any assistance to CCLSC in attempting to obtain tickets for overseas SBI members. TF said that this was not actually what JS had said. JS thanked ID for his contribution and invited TS to talk.
Stadium Forum Meeting Update
RT attended the meeting. He outlined the presentation that Steve Waggott made to the Council about the plans for a new stadium. The key areas were corporate and social responsibility. The idea is that the stadium is for the whole community and not just football fans. The presentation had been very impressive. TF added about the importance of Sky Blues in the Community. There are schemes going round the city. Charlton Athletic had worked with the local council to ensure that all initiatives were seen as a positive in the community. The football club can be seen as a catalyst for all that is good. PR said she was impressed by the effect it had had on Charlton and was surprised at Coventry Council's lack of interest in the presentation.
The March
SBR advised that TF had agreed to let Sky Blue Sam attend. There would be local bands marching, along with 'Lady Godiva'. A double decker bus would be provided for anyone who wanted to join the march and unable to get about easily. He reiterated that there were no politics involved. The only speakers would be to do with the club. Bobby Gould was the first on the list. They hoped to have more.
IDEAS/SUGGESTIONS/FEEDBACK
JB on behalf of Lionel Bird. JS read the following letter from Lionel to JB:
It is my understanding that Holdings were struck off on 3 June, thus severing all links to the original CCFC Limited Company formed in 1907.
I am extremely concerned about the whereabouts and preservation of the original Shareholders Ledgers. I would be grateful if you could raise the issue directly with Mr Fisher, or at the very least, at the next SCG meeting. These ledgers need to be preserved for historical posterity.
I also hope there is a possibility that the original share certificates (if they have survived) handed over by supporters to SISU in early 2008, may be handed back to those supporters as a gesture of good will. Many of those certificates have been passed down through generations of families and I am sure some of them date back to the 1930’s when the Coventry City Supporters’ Club operated a share-save scheme, to enable their members to purchase five shilling shares by paying one shilling a month during the close season.
Given all the politics/legal action currently engulfing the club, I think it would be a great gesture if these certificates could be handed back. They are clearly part of those families’ history
TF responded that this had been addressed. This is a reasonable request. All historical material should go to JB to take control of. The club need people like this to look after the club's historical material. The club will make sure the Class B shareholders are recognised with something to hang on their wall that will be of benefit to them in the future. The ‘300 Club’is being formed for the 297 shareholders providing a range of benefits. SBR asked where the certificates were. TF said this had been before his time but he understands Joe Elliott collected these certificates from all the shareholders, and they must be in someone’s possession.
CCFC UPDATE
TF reported that the football department is looking at restructuring in a positive way. Some players will leave the club but not for costs reasons but football decisions. Steven Pressley is interviewing players across a number of positions and will look to bring players in over the next two weeks. They are also looking forward to the new season and the new kit to be launched on 18 July.
TF then talked about the JR. He was of the opinion that the judge would hand down the judgment in the next few days to the advocates. He expects the result to be announced on Monday (the clients cannot be told until Monday). He also thinks that whoever is disappointed will then appeal. This is a natural progression. But whatever the result it will not be the mechanism to resolvethe Ricoh issue.
JS asked TF if the result of the JR is going to be later in the week commencing 30 June. TF confirmed that he had been briefed it will happen actually on Monday.
TF then talked about reconciling with the supporters. This was the club's aim now. They have held many meetings with various supporters and will continue to do so. It is necessary so as to explain to supporters why SISU have taken the stance they have. ID questioned whether a date had just not been arranged for the meeting with CCLSC, given other priorities, or was Tim not responding because of the CCLSC stance on playing out of Coventry? TF responded that there was no issue over talking with CCLSC, they want to reconcile with everyone. These meetings are to discuss the future and not to keep going over old ground. This period is about healing.
SBR asked for it to be minuted that they want to have a meeting with Joy Seppala for reconciliation. He asked TF if he could make this happen.
TF said this was not an unfair request. They will facilitate this – for as long as the agenda is fans’ reconciliation related. Joy is well aware of people’s feelings and knows this is a very emotional time for everyone. This is about Coventry City FC first and foremost and they are looking to build the club and the relationship with the supporters.
JS asked about the KCIC offer.
TF said that he was sure that Michael Orton has the very best of intentions but business is not done through the press, it should be done in private. They did due diligence on the offer which came from a local business-man. He was not prepared to divulge who this person was. There was no credibility in the offer and it had no legs. This was appalling behaviour, raising supporters’ hopes once again. He feels that Michael Orton is being used, which is very sad as he seemed a very genuine guy with a passion for his club.
PW asked where it would leave SISUif the club are disappointed on Monday. Will their position become untenable, would it make it impossible to develop a new stadium? Surely the anti SISU feelings would grow? Would Joy Seppala throw in the towel? TF said this was not a pertinent question. SISU are not going to just give up, we keep going for the future of the football club. Joy Seppala will certainly not walk away. She is very resolute.
SBR said TF had not answered PW's question. How would they get the fans on board, get fan unity? What are you going to do?
PW said there needs to be transparency. If you appeal, do you have new evidence? What is the purpose of the appeal?
TS said he understands the committee's concerns. If they are disappointed with the result and they appeal, they might win.
TF said the JR provides an enquiry. This is not about SISU but about the club and how the club has been treated for many years.
JS asked how they would get the media onside. It is now time to move forward. A meeting has been arranged between the Coventry Telegraph and the club to discuss the way forward to get the newspaper behind the club again.
ID voiced his fears about where the club seems to be heading. CCLSC has fewer members travelling to the opening game at Bradford than last season when the game was played on a Sunday and was on Sky TV. Numbers will dwindle if there is no progress. This will effect the club’s income which in turn will effect investment in the club. We could get relegated. We need to get something positive to the fans.
DD asked how season tickets sales were this season. TS replied they were up massively on last season at this time. Of the corporate tickets, only two weren't renewing, one because of leaving the area and the other because of emigrating. There are also twenty new corporates.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
DD had spoken to James Penny who plays for the supporters’ football team to enquire about him attending the SCG meetings. Unfortunately, Thursday is his Sunday Football League meeting night, the same night usually as the SCG meeting. JS said he would contact him and that the only reason he had not yet done so was because we already had a potential new member attending this month.DD suggested that a representative of the CCFC Supporters team should be given a place on the SCG. TS thought this could be a good idea and so long as the same member attended each time. TF said that he would be happy to attend a meeting with the team at any time.
DD asked why the tourist industry of Stratford-on-Avon was not being utilised by CCFC to boost sales of merchandise. TS said that he would look into it.
ID asked if there was any update onthe trip to Italy. He has seen no information. NC saidthe trip was being put together and it would be publicised as soon as things are confirmed.
ID wanted to put on record congratulations and thanks to Tynan Scope for his cycle ride to Amsterdam for prostate cancer.
TS said it was a great experience although the first day was probably the hardest thing he’s ever done. It was well worth it. He advised also that the Leisure and Training wear was in the Superstore and was now on sale.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
It was agreed to alternate Wednesdays and Thursdays for future meetings for the sake of those unable to regularly attend on one of the two days. AD referred to the noise and the lack of privacy downstairs at The Squirrel. TS agreed to investigate holding the next meeting at the club shop.
The next meeting will be on Wednesday 23 July 2014, venue to be confirmed.