On Wednesday 13th August Coventry City meet Cardiff City in the Capital One Cup, the match being played at Northampton Town’s Sixfields Stadium, 35 miles from Coventry is being televised live on Sky Sports. The Sky Blue Trust and the Cardiff City Supporters Trust are organising a united protest to highlight to the footballing world how both sets of supporters have been Fans Let Down.
The situation surrounding bringing Coventry City home appears as far away as ever with seemingly no talks going on and Sky Blue supporters are becoming increasingly frustrated.
On Thursday the Football League met to remove one of the major obstacles to talks when it decided on the outstanding payment by Otium to ACL under the Leagues own Football Creditors rule. They have made a ruling that Otium have to pay ACL £471,192 by 14th August. The fact that it has taken over a year to reach this decision shows the lack of respect the Football League has for the fans of Coventry City and fans in general. Fans Let Down.
Last year the controversial owner of Cardiff City Mr Vincent Tan changed the shirt colour of the Bluebirds from the traditional Blue to Red – allegedly for marketing reasons and because its considered a lucky colour in Far East folklore. The subsequent relegation of Cardiff rather destroys the “lucky” myth and leaves thousands of loyal Cardiff supporters demanding a return to their traditional blue yet Mr Tan ignores these pleas and the football authorities do nothing. Fans Let Down.
Following a costly and pointless legal wrangle which concluded in Mr Justice Hickinbottom comprehensively clearing the Council of any wrongdoing after SISU, the owners of Coventry City, had accused it of acting contrary to European law. The judge awarded substantial costs against SISU and dismissed their applicion to appeal to the Court of Appeal. ACL have, understandably, stated that they couldn’t enter into any talks whilst legal action is still on-going yet all the signs are that SISU will continue with the appeals procedure even if it means Sky Blue fans are yet again denied the opportunity to support their team in their City. Fans Let Down.
The match between the two CCFC’s on Wednesday is an opportunity to let the world know that fans are united in their disgust at the way they have been let down. The Sky Blue Trust, along with their Welsh counterparts, are organising a protest to make all those responsible aware just how the fans feel about being betrayed and let down. We call on all fans to unite – all the Coventry fans, those on the hill, those who go into Sixfields unite and all the Cardiff fans attending unite and all hold up the leaflets in the 35th minute bearing the simple statement “LET DOWN”.
To aid Coventry fans who want to get down to Northampton and join in this protest and show of fans unity the Sky Blue Trust is organising a coach – seats £5 return, leaving from Nuneaton Bus station at 6pm and Coventry Baths at 6.30pm – contact media@skybluetrust.co.uk to reserve seats.
Coventry fans want their team back in Coventry, the 8000 who marched last month and the tremendous support there has been for the Coventry Telegraph’s #bringCityhome campaign are testament to the strength of feeling. The march by thousands of Cardiff fans in March shows their anger at their situation. Football fans united by one thing – they are all Fans Let Down.
The national television coverage a show of fans unity against those that have let them down will be a powerful message and one that cannot be ignored – let those responsible know they have let us all down.