On Saturday October 29 2005 Coventry City Football Club and a group of fans' representatives sat down for the first time since 1929 in a 'Joint Council' to help provide some new ideas and direction for the football club.
Those present around the table included Mike McGinnity, Geoffrey Robinson and Neil Bryson as well as representatives from the Sky Blue Trust, London Supporters Group, CCFC Supporters Club, and the unofficial CCFC fanzine/websites. Jimmy Hill was not able to attend due to illness.
The first item on the agenda was to discuss the structure and format proposed by the Sky Blue Trust for the Joint Council. All agreed that the purpose of the council was to achieve improved communication between the fans and their football club, provide and develop new ideas, offer solutions to the problems of the everyday supporter and the football club and listen to supporters concerns.
Mike McGinnity explained "that the club was extremely positive about the Joint Council and hoped that it would be a long term group which improve open and honest communication between the club and the fans".
The council then listened to the few suggestions and concerns which had been collected in the days before the meeting. The main suggestions the club asked for were ways of filling the stadium, particularly for the four remaining homes games in the lead up to Christmas. Neil Bryson explained "that these were difficult games to fill when money is tight for most families due to Christmas expenses, and especially with performances on the pitch not going so great"
The club had already come up with ideas such as 4 games for the price of 3 and a mini season ticket for future games, but were weary of upsetting season ticket holders with yet more reduced tickets. One fan suggestion taken on board at the meeting was that it would be a good idea to offer exclusive incentives to season ticket holders like discount in the club shop and entry into a monthly/annual draw where they could win prizes that 'money couldn't buy'. Prizes such as lunch with the team, participating in a training session were mentioned and possibly a full away game experience with the team where a lucky fan would get to travel with the team to a game.
Mark Trevorrow of the Sky Blue Trust stated "There should be more incentives for long term support of the club. This club is dependent on its season ticket holders and it is right that they should receive some reward for their loyalty"
The council then moved on to discuss some of the concerns raised by the fans such as the use of the PA system to add to the match day experience. It was agreed by all that the PA system should be used to entertain and inform. Letting supporters know about ticket offers, opening times, up and coming first team fixtures and for the first time in many years thanking the fans for their support and wishing them a safe journey home.
All agreed that the meeting had been very productive and demonstrated a new more open and honest approach to communicating with the fans. Whilst the meeting was very short those who attended agreed this was a step in the right direction to a more positive future for the club.
Geoffrey Robinson stated "Through the Council the club were welcoming suggestions/initiatives and concerns from all fans, and urged fans to use this opportunity to help improve the future of the club"