The Jimmy Hill Way campaign have issued the following statement:
"With Christmas Day fast-approaching, the Sky Blues received an early present in the form of new manager, Russell Slade.
Given the very difficult circumstances that face our team, going into the festive period in 23rd place in League One, this is an appointment that appears appropriate to these times. Mr Slade has a CV that includes managerial experience at several troubled clubs - eg Orient, Cardiff and Charlton - and he will need to draw heavily on lessons learned in those jobs. We wish him the very best of luck ahead of his first game in charge against Bristol Rovers, he is certainly going to need plenty of good fortune for the rest of the season if Coventry City are to cling on to Third Division status.
We are sure that the fans will get behind the manager and the players in the upcoming games - however much we protest about Sisu and the Club Directors, we always support the team - and we urge Tim Fisher, Mark Venus and Joy Seppala to back the manager with funds for the January transfer window, so that the squad can be strengthened.
As we look to the New Year, there are so many other problems at CCFC that need addressing urgently, these can't be solved by Russell Slade. Without a home to call our own and no prospect of that situation changing, the stand-off with Wasps over extending match-day arrangements at the Ricoh beyond 2017-18 season has to be resolved. It seems there are only two ways that can be achieved: either Sisu drop threats of legal action via Judicial Review 2, litigation that involves Wasps; and/or preferably Sisu Sell Up and Go.
Time is rapidly running out if the loss of the Academy in June 2017 is to be avoided. We hear that there are talk with other parties that are aimed at solving this crisis but there is no news of any tangible progress. Given the Club's track record under Sisu of poor relationships with organisations that should be key partners and the disastrous consequences of those strained or broken relationships for Coventry City FC, we have little hope that the Academy will be saved.
We have heard via social media that the Supporters Consultative Group is to be abolished at the end of December and that CCFC will look to establish a replacement mechanism for supporter engagement and consultation in the New Year, taking guidance from the Football League. Few people will mourn the passing of the current SCG which has failed totally to represent the views of the mass of fans, despite best efforts from many members of the group. The flawed nature of this body is exemplified by this decision to wind up its dealings which was taken by Tim Fisher and SCG Chairman, Jonathan Strange, apparently without consultation with the rest of the Group. It is critical that new structures for communication with fans representatives are put in place without delay. Now more than ever in this period of grave crisis, the Club Directors and Owners need to engage in active dialogue with democraticly elected delegates who can voice our concerns and demand change.
There has been nothing but failure and mediocrity under Sisu's stewardship of the Sky Blues and Tim Fisher's time as Director and now Chairman has seen misery after misery heaped on City supporters. The protest at the Sheffield United game on 15th December was a massive vote of no confidence in the owners and directors of our Club. This was echoed in the Sky Blues Phone-in on BBC Coventry & Warwickshire the following evening. Mr Fisher really needs to get the message that he must resign and Ms Seppala should put the club up for sale. I doubt that either will happen soon, which just illustrates the indifference that these people have towards the supporters.
So it only remains for me, on behalf of the Jimmy Hill Way Campaign, to wish you and your nearest and dearest a very Merry Christmas. May this festive period deliver a bounty of points for the Sky Blues and bring us all genuine joy. And may 2017 bring and end to the stewardship of that other Joy, Ms Seppala. Never in my experience was a person so inappropriately named.
PUSB
David Johnson"