Campaign Update 9th December 2006
Supporters Consultative Group Meeting Minutes, 30th November 2016
The Supporters Consultative Group Minutes from the meeting on 30th November 2016 have now been published.
Contained within the Minutes are statements from Mr Peter Ward, in his letter of resignation, relating to the Jimmy Hill Way Campaign and what he describes as the “appropriation” of Jimmy Hill’s name for our campaign.
I do not intend to become embroiled in an unedifying public disagreement with Mr Ward over his ill-informed remarks and will merely refer him and others to the statement on our website http://www.thejimmyhillway.com/ concerning the permission granted by the Hill family. The first anniversary of Jimmy’s passing is almost upon us, this must be a sensitive time for Mrs Hill, relatives,
friends and those of us who hold his memory dear. In respect of that, I shall not comment further on this subject.
It is disappointing to see that, once again, the Meeting was largely taken up with attacks on those supporters who dare to criticise, protest or fail to show unquestioning allegiance to Sisu, the club directors or indeed to the SCG hierarchy. Frankly, I do not intend to dignify with a response much of what else was written by Mr Ward or said by Mr Strange regarding this Campaign. It is plain to see that they and others who share their rose-tinted view of the current state of Coventry City, are very far removed in their opinions and allegiances from the overwhelming majority of Sky Blues fans.
Mr Strange clearly has a problem with the protest activities of this Alliance and other groups with which we are associated. Yet, when we and other supporters responded to his invitation to submit questions for consideration by the SCG he sidestepped the opportunity to show that the SCG could be an effective
friends and those of us who hold his memory dear. In respect of that, I shall not comment further on this subject.
It is disappointing to see that, once again, the Meeting was largely taken up with attacks on those supporters who dare to criticise, protest or fail to show unquestioning allegiance to Sisu, the club directors or indeed to the SCG hierarchy. Frankly, I do not intend to dignify with a response much of what else was written by Mr Ward or said by Mr Strange regarding this Campaign. It is plain to see that they and others who share their rose-tinted view of the current state of Coventry City, are very far removed in their opinions and allegiances from the overwhelming majority of Sky Blues fans.
Mr Strange clearly has a problem with the protest activities of this Alliance and other groups with which we are associated. Yet, when we and other supporters responded to his invitation to submit questions for consideration by the SCG he sidestepped the opportunity to show that the SCG could be an effective representative body. As revealed in our last Campaign Update of 7th December, some of these enquiries were relegated to a Q&A bulletin on ccfc.co.uk and others seem to have been ignored entirely. Of those matters dealt with on the website, some questions were edited without authorisation and inadequate answers were supplied in several instances. In short, we witnessed a pathetic attempt to brush aside important questions about the Club’s on and off-field problems. These are matters which the SCG ought to be probing themselves. It not only fails in that task but acts as a shield for Tim Fisher and Joy Seppala when others try to carry out that function.
If Coventry City’s Directors, Owners and their close associates on the SCG, are unwilling to respond appropriately to supporters’ concerns, which are raised through what they define as the proper channels, then they can have no cause to complain when protests continue, as they are bound to do and may indeed escalate.
This Campaign will remain committed to lawful action and we shall try to avoid any negative impact on the team during their difficult struggle to escape the lower reaches of League One. While Mr Strange and his friends may find our activities unpalatable, I can assure him that there are many City supporters who consider that we are too timid in our approach.
Therefore, I urge those members of the SCG who have been hostile to our activities and to those of other supporters who protest, criticise or comment about the failings of Coventry City, please consider your position carefully. The Football Club that I am sure you support, as do I, is in a parlous state and the anger of most supporters towards those responsible, ie the owners and directors, is growing by the day.
There is no blame attached if you feel unable to represent views that you do not share, but you should step aside if that is the case. If the SCG is to be truly representative, it must reflect and voice the weight of opinion with appropriate balance.
If the SCG leadership and a number of its members continue to show antagonism to those who represent what the majority of supporters believe, ie that Sisu should Sell Up & Go, the sole channel of communication between club and supporters will lose what little remains of its credibility. Currently, the representatives of the minority outnumber and drown out those who express the majority view of City Supporters, within that forum.
The SCG would be well advised to refrain from further attacks and smears on the Sky Blue Trust, Jimmy Hill Way Campaign and other supporters groups and individuals. Instead, they should focus on the myriad problems facing Coventry City under this failed ownership and demand proper and honest myriad problems facing Coventry City under this failed ownership and demand proper and honest communication from the Club Directors.