The meeting held by the Sky Blue Trust at the Albany Club in Earlsdon tonight, called for action in order to preserve the future of Coventry City which is under severe threat if a deal to continue to play at the Ricoh Arena is not agreed.
CJ Joiner with our thanks - tweeted the following from the meeting and we have run these tweets so that you can make your own mind up -
Moz Baker opens the meeting
MB: The Trust sent letters to all the parties last season as part of the countdown to homelessness. This continued this season from 20 games to go
MB: MPs from Coventry and the surrounding areas along with the shadow sports minister have recently been contacted. The only two that haven't replied are Nadhim Zahawi and Geoffrey Robinson
Dave Johnson: Speaking to the meeting regarding the letters to MPs and how one of Wasps or SISU need to budge from their position. Also if anyone in Nadhim Zahawi or Geoffrey Robinson's constituencies can send them letters on this issue it'd be very useful
Barry (floor): We have to fight for our supporters. This club has a huge history. The big problem is that the club doesn't own the ground. It's reached a point where we need to sort this out. Whether that means holding rallies or demos we have to do something
Lionel Bird: If this goes to Europe it can take up to 3 years. Joy needs to put the club up for sale
Dan (floor): Is reforming a possibility such as Wimbledon?
Dave Johnson: If this was to happen we would probably start off somewhere around where Hereford ended up. It is however a distinct possibility that a Ricoh deal would be possible.
MB: If this was to happen what would the meeting's feelings be? *Mixed response to that, some in favour some not.
Floor: This is the City of Sport. We're about to lose our football club! This can not happen.
Jim (Diamond Club member. & CRFC STH): Something that needs pointing out is for all this talk about Wasps struggling financially Premiership Rugby has just has £270m invested into it which will be split evenly between all 12 clubs. This will strengthen their position massively.
Andy (floor): We need national media coverage like we've had in the past when protest, demos and marches have happened.
Rob Foster (floor): CCC need approaching. They need to broker a deal and Fisher needs to resign
Ray Stephens (Diamond Club): We have to remember Ann Lucas said the football club must not be effected by Wasps arrival. My wife and I have supported this club for a combined 112 years. Asking Fisher to resign is like banging your head against the wall.
Floor: Can we some how protect the club with an ACV? It's a community asset afterall. MB: This is something we have looked into in the past and will certainly look into again
MB: Following a few comments we need to get on track with what this meeting is for
Tim (floor): We need some fund-raising to help with protests
Steve Brown: We need something set up like Tangerine Knights. I didn't want to be on the Trust board any more as I wanted to stop being nice. We have to do something. Whether it's against SISU, CCC or Wasps let's do something
Floor: Let's have a meeting with those that make the decisions. Wasps need to be on that stage. MB: They were invited and declined.
Floor: I've already lost my speedway team, now I'm losing my football team.
Floor: A Councillor has turned up tonight. Mr Bailey* is sat over there *Unsure is this correct at present as he hasn't made himself known
Alan (floor): Has the EFL tried to contact Joy? She was there at Wembley at one of their showpieces. MB: It's something we have asked them a number of times and will continue to do so.
Floor: Can we hold a demo in London for example at Sky Sports?
Floor: This has been done in the past and it needs to happen in the future during the week. MB asked the floor who was prepared to do this and a few showed an interest
Floor: Any protest down in London has to involve the LSC.
Dave Johnson: How many people are in Mr Robinson's constituency? Please pass on your email address as we need to get him to talk
Phil (floor): There's a reason why so many of the parties aren't here. They can't talk at present. If Wasps were hard up they may have to care about our supporters but with the recent refinancing of Premiership Rugby that is not the case.
Phil continues: I work in transport planning and there was and won't ever be anywhere that could get planning permission in Coventry due to the various constraints.
Rich (floor): If it's a one year deal all we're ever going to get is that and that's no good at all. It breaks my heart to say it but if that happens we need to boycott. *There was some support for this but obviously some that were unsure it would get support (Rich included)
Me!: What will happen in a months time when our accounts are due? Without a lease on a ground can the club be confirmed as a going concern? Floor: This could mean a points deduction, transfer embargo or a fine.
David Johnson: We are the collateral damage if a deal is not done. I don't have much hope of changing Joy's mind but I'm hopeful we can do something to change the minds of Eastwood and Richardson at Wasps.
Floor: Is the club signing players on pre contracts in the summer now, is that an indication they are worried there will be an embargo?