SKY BLUE TRUST FANS FORUM REPORT BY KEV MONKS
The Sky Blue Trust in conjunction with Coventry City tonight held a fans forum at the Hen Lane Social Club in Beacon Road,Holbrooks.
A smaller than expected crowd heard from a top table comprising of Micky Adams,Ken Sharp, Paul Fletcher and Mel Branigan.
The first question of the night concerned Gary McSheffrey. Micky Adams confirmed that "another substantial offer" had been received from Birmingham City and rejected. He added both clubs would not divulge the fee involved ( bigger than the £1.25m rising to £2m has been quoted by a number of media sources for the initial bid) and that every player had his price.
The City manager clearly stated that he did not want to lose Gary McSheffrey who had spoken to him today about the matter which the striker has found unsettling. Adams finished by saying that: "Gary had to do what is best for him." and that good players are at a premium.
Paul Fletcher conducted a straw poll amongst those present as to what transfer fee, the supporters would find acceptable. £6m was the majority verdict with some support for £4 & £5m, there was no support for anything less.
It was confirmed that Coventry City are still very interested in signing Marton Fulop. Micky Adams stated that he was his main priority and would keep pursuing him until Spurs decide not to sell him and the deal was finally dead. Spurs are expected to sign a new keeper later in the week and negotiations are to continue tomorrow (Wednesday). Adams also said that he had spoken to West Ham United about Stephen Bywater and Manchester United about Luke Steele.
Speaking about his new signings, Adams said that he wanted to get the age of the squad down and wanted to push up the league,sensibly refusing to be drawn on where we would finish and saying that the Acting Chairman wanted a sixth place finish.
He had taken gambles on some of his signings - David McNamee who has not played English football was one and thought that Elliott Ward was proven at Championship level,had played well against us for Plymouth last season and that in Elliott he had bought potential.
Paul Fletcher added that in order to go up,City will need a lump of luck and this was a vital component in any team getting promoted.
It was stressed that one should not pay too much attention to linking's of players in newspapers. Dissect 50% of what is printed and then dissect that by the same amount was the advice given. The Andy Whing link with a move to Millwall was described as being complete "Cobblers" ("so he is joining Northampton then", was the reply from one wag)
Away from the players, the club are looking at more involvement with schools. There are 434 schools in the catchment area and the club are looking at inviting between four and eight schools a week to the Arena.
Ken Sharp said he was amazed at what had been achieved in the last six months and said there was still a lot more to do.
One of the main aims for the club is to buy back the 50% share in the Arena from the Alan Higgs Trust. Although this would cost a substantial sum of money, funds raised each season would be around the £1m mark.
Outside the Arena was discussed and it was confirmed that the railway arches as well as a footbridge and lighting would be erected and completed by the end of October.
The police have also taken over control of the traffic lights outside the stadium and this should ease some of the traffic problems.
The closing of The Founders Club was mentioned. Paul Fletcher said that the area used for this was not in the club's lease and was actually part of the hotel complex. As the Compass Catering group had paid £1m for this, it was their right to state the dress code for the dining area and at the end of the season, the club had been informed that this area was no longer available.
Back to the players and City will get a fee if Chris Kirkland makes his England debut whilst on loan at Wigan Athletic. There is a sell-on clause if he is sold by Liverpool but the money from an England appearance would no longer apply.
Micky Adams said that City were appealing about the dismissal of Kevin Thornton in the game at Portland. If this is unsuccessful, Thornton will miss the first three games of the season. Adams said that in this case he fully supported Thornton and that how the Irishman progressed in his footballing career was entirely up top Kevin Thornton.
There are times when it is nice to see the club taking action of things you have suggested and one of my calls for Paul Fletcher to sample the away going matchday experience themselves will happen when they travel on the club coach to Cardiff City (all paying their own way).
Again this was a very positive evening and a good sign that things are progressing in the right direction.