SKY BLUE TRUST PRESS STATEMENT
As the last months of the agreement for the Coventry City to play home games at the Ricoh Arena pass by, the Sky Blue Trust are attempting to increase the pressure on all those responsible and all those who could do something to resolve this fiasco.
As part of this, after each home game, we write to one of those people or organisations, asking what they are doing to keep Coventry City in the City of Coventry.
Three weeks ago, when there were just 18 games to go, we wrote to Joy Seppala, asking her to tell supporters what steps she is taking to secure a suitable home ground for Coventry City beyond the end of the current season. She has not replied, despite a reminder.
Two weeks ago, when only 17 home games remained to be played, we wrote to Wasps, expressing understanding at the difficult position created by the continuing court action against the City Council and Wasps by Otium Entertainment Group Limited (i..e. Coventry City FC) and other SISU owned companies.
However, we asked Wasps to explain in what circumstances the current agreement for Coventry City to play their home games at the Ricoh Arena might be extended beyond the end of the current season. Wasps replied within two days saying that they understand the level of anxiety amongst supporters. They went on to say:
"However, as I hope you will understand, given the ongoing legal proceedings, it is not possible for us to comment either publicly or privately on the current position.We hope that this may change in the near future and that, at that point, it may be possible to establish greater clarity over the situation.”
Yesterday, after the home defeat by Forest Green Rovers, with just 16 home League games to go, we wrote to the City Council. After once again expressing our understanding of the problems caused by the Club’s continuing court action, we asked what steps the City Council has taken, is taking or proposes to take to enable Coventry City to continue to play their home games in the City of Coventry beyond the end of the current season?
We added that
"it has been suggested by CCFC Chairman, Tim Fisher, that a tenancy at Butts Park Arena (BPA) is the preferred option for the football club to play its games from next season.
Would the City Council be willing to take a pro-active role to enable the necessary development of BPA by Coventry Rugby Club and Coventry City Football Club if a formal proposal were put forward by them? What could be the potential obstacles to such a proposal? (eg planning, traffic, parking, residents’ concerns etc.) In your opinion, could such a development be completed before the start of the 2018/19 football season in August 2018?”
We will share the response from the City Council as soon as we have it.
Following Saturday’s home game against Colchester United there will be just 15 games to go. We will be writing to another individual with responsibility for the current state of affairs.