The Jimmy Hill Way campaign press statement:
Sisu and The Supreme Court
It is no real surprise that Sisu Capital, using Otium Entertainment and Sky Blue Sports & Leisure which are the legal entities of Coventry City Football Club, have applied to the Supreme Court for leave to overturn previous decisions of the High Court and Court of Appeal Justices. After all, they sought permission from the Court of Appeal to pursue this matter against Coventry City Council and Wasps Rugby Club but were refused, so this latest application was entirely predictable.
It is nonetheless of great concern for the future of the Sky Blues. David Boddy, Chief Executive, has made it abundantly clear that there is no alternative to playing home games at the Ricoh and it became known on Friday, from Mr Boddy’s programme notes for the game against Peterborough United, that the EFL has said in writing that Coventry City will not be permitted to play home fixtures outside of the City. At the same time, Wasps maintain their position that negotiations for an extended deal with CCFC cannot take place while the legal action continues.
With only 13 home league games left to play at the Ricoh Arena, time is already running short to achieve a deal between the football and rugby clubs. Mr Boddy also stated that he has made representations to the hierarchy above him in Otium / SBS&L / Sisu on this subject. Clearly, these representations have gone unheeded by Joy Seppala and her associates.
This is a deeply worrying time for Coventry City supporters. The Jimmy Hill Way Campaign appeals again to Ms Seppala, Tim Fisher and other decision makers in Sisu to halt these proceedings which have failed to produce the result they desire at every stage to date, since commencing in 2014. If you really are intent on pursuing this matter, then relinquish control of the Football Club to people who will give proper consideration to the good of the Sky Blues rather than putting your investors’ interests to the fore, no matter what the consequences for CCFC.
At the same time, we ask that Nick Eastwood and Derek Richardson, respectively CEO and Chairman of Wasps, remember that the only people who will really suffer if the Sky Blues end up without a home, once more, are the long-suffering supporters of our club. Please give the fans due consideration in your deliberations regarding Coventry City before it is too late.
David Johnson
Spokesperson
The Jimmy Hill Way