So where do we start, It seems quite wierd but absolutely refreshing and very very welcome to actually be talking about Coventry City in a positive manner.
However we need to make one thing crystal clear before we start. We have not suddenly become SISU lovers nor have we forgiven them for the disastrous tenure thus far.
Last season was the lowest of the low and as far as we are concerned the worst any of us in PSB can remember since supporting Coventry city.
That said we are prepared to believe that maybe just maybe our club owners have finally learned from their huge catalogue of mistakes and at long last are doing the right thing.
Time will tell but this close season has already been particularly positive. Long may that continue !
Here are a few reasons why we at PSB are, for the first time in a very long time, looking forward to the new season with optimism.
1. Tony Mowbray's appointment as the man to take the club forward. Tony would be a big name manager in a higher league so for city to land him whilst struggling at the bottom of League one has to be seen as a great coup and good business from the club.
If Tonys promises are all met ,and yes we know it remains a big 'IF', then city really do have a good chance of challenging for promotion .That has to be a POSITIVE
2. Closure of the North Stand.
We know not everyone is happy about this but hopefully they will ultimately be won over when they see the impact the closure of the stand will have on the Ricoh matchday enjoyment. Tony Mowbray himself has said the club need to do all they can to help create a great atmosphere at the Ricoh Arena. Closing the stand will help do that and will also save on costs. As we mentioned before in our previous statement on this subject. We hope the club can come to some compromise with the supporters that still want to sit behind the goal and let them do so in the South Stand next to the away fans. We are very happy to say that the club are doing all they can to make that happen by working alongside the safety consultant group to pursue the options. This surely can only be see as another POSITIVE.
3. Nike to supply kit for the next 4 seasons.
We all know Nike are a big worldwide brand. Not only can we expect some stylish strips,training gear etc, but they will also generate the club more income than what we would usually generate through suppliers such as Puma or any of the other possible brands that we have been linked with previously.
Better kits and other merchandise equals more income. Again that can only be seen as a POSITIVE.
4. Relocation of the club shop.
CCFC club officials have announced that they are relocating the Sky Blue superstore from the Gallagher Retail Park to the Arena Park adjacent to the stadium. They will also be selling merchandise and shirts etc from within the ground on match days in the East Stand which again is another great move. With the footfall created by increasing numbers of fans coming to games that has to mean more income which hopefully will mean more money for Tony Mowbray to invest in the team. We hope that is the case. If so it has to be seen as another POSITIVE.
Now we know there remains a large number of fans who are sceptical about SISU's intentions and after all that has gone on since they took over the club in 2007 that is totally understandable and we certainly wouldn't blame anyone for being cautious. However we call on fellow Sky Blues fans to embark on the latest new era at Coventry City FC with a positive outlook.
We are under no illusions, SISU have put us fans and the club through horrendous times in the last 8 years and have caused untold damage with their reckless mismanagement and complete disregard for the history and tradition of OUR club.
Have we at PSB forgiven them ?
Absolutely not we will never forget and will continue to be on their case until they finally prove themselves to be fit and proper owners. However if we see evidence that they are starting to run our club properly with small positive steps to demonstrate this then we feel it's only right that we give credit where credit is due.
We will also welcome further positive steps in the right direction.
We believe that it is not healthy to be in a permanently negative state. It easily becomes a habit and can be both damaging and debilitating.
We genuinely hope that SISU are finally breaking that habit of negativity. That being so we think it's time that some of our fans start to do the same.
It is very early days of summer. The 2015/16 season remains 2 months away but so far so good.
The signs are encouraging lets all try and turn that negativity into a positive force for good.
We feel certain that all of us Sky Blues fans want the same thing.
We just want to be normal football fans supporting the team we love whilst cheering them on into a promotion push.
We at PSB firmly believe this year we have a bigger chance then ever.