By Andrew Green
December 1 2009

It is with great regret that Coventry RFC Limited has announced today that it has taken the decision to close the club. Over the past three years the club has tried to overcome many problems and set itself a secure future, unfortunately due to many issues, some inside and some outside of its control, this has not been possible.

The club, like many other sporting organisations, has struggled as a result of the changing economy; however the club has been involved in complex legal problems and as a result doesn’t even have a lease to be at the Butts Park Arena. This situation has arisen despite promises and assurances from various financial organisations to provide the club with a lease after action was taken over a year ago to resolve the problems.

The club simply cannot carry on with such an uncertain future. The club has debts and creditors that it has a responsibility to pay and has carried on because of promises and solutions they would bring. Unfortunately and unlike most companies the club doesn’t have any options to re-finance despite several interested parties/investors offering funding. This is because it doesn’t have a lease for The Butts Park Arena, 8 acres of public land that was given to the club for its financial future some 6 years ago by Coventry City Council.

This is a very sad day for rugby in Coventry; however the club just can’t ignore the present situation regarding its debts and creditors.

COVENTRY RFC LIMITED

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 01/12/2009 16:28

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
01/12/2009 16:28

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:12:03:17:07:49 by Laugh Out Loud.

Reply Quote Report

RJC
01/12/2009 16:38

Is that it Andrew, nothing else to say? Just walk away and leave this mess behind? I guess that isnt the first time though and I guess it wont be the last.

COME ON COV

Reply Quote Report

Laugh Out Loud (Dave Roach)
01/12/2009 17:01

To all Coventry Supporters.

If we hear anything further we will put it on the board.

Dave and James Roach

Reply Quote Report

RJC
01/12/2009 17:02

Thanks Dave

COME ON COV

Reply Quote Report

Coventry Steve
01/12/2009 17:48

COME ON COV
hope this can be resolved - i am gutted
COME ON COV

Reply Quote Report

harleygaz
01/12/2009 17:58

This does,nt surprise me one little bit

Reply Quote Report

covkid53
01/12/2009 18:51

If you read my post of a few weeks ago, I said then that AG would have to wind up the company if it was insolvent.

It is against the law to continue to trade once you know you are insolvent, so AG has pulled the plug at the 11th hour knowing full well he wont be held liable or banned from being a director in the future.

Meanwhile, we have been shafted....Coventry Rugby Club is no more.

Thankyou AG, for all you haven't done and for taking the club, the supporters and the city down the toilet with you.

A very sad day.

Reply Quote Report

SlimJimmie
01/12/2009 18:54

I do hope this is not the end. For me, its like losing an old and much loved friend - I know many other Saints supporters who will be very sad too.

Good luck Cov!

Reply Quote Report

Bob Stainsby
01/12/2009 19:05

May I echo slim Jimmies sentiments and say how sad I am. A very old and traditional club has come to this is very sad news and does our sport no credit (no pun intended) when in the old ND1 (where we deserved to be) I really enjoyed my visit to Butts Park. I do think this is indicative of a governing body that thinks a million quid for a statue is more important than helping out clubs like Cov and Bees. Shame on them Good luck!

Top of the League 2014-2015 Season

Reply Quote Report

Moorsman
01/12/2009 20:05

Really sad to read this and hope some way can be found to keep Coventry rugby alive.

Reply Quote Report

3 wheels on my wagon
01/12/2009 20:08

Another bad day for rugby. How can any club really survive at this level with the crippling expense of professional rugby and all the added costs.

Good luck again with your fight for survival.

Reply Quote Report

Peter D
01/12/2009 20:55

As a Bristol supporter can I say how sad this news makes me.

When I started watching rugby Cov were arguably as good as any team in the land. Matches between us and you were eagerly anticipated and rarely disappointed.

Over the years you have had some great players who have graced this wonderful game.

If Coventry Rugby Club cannot be saved the loss will be huge.

I wish you all luck.

Come on, Cov.

Reply Quote Report

fisher
01/12/2009 22:34

Would the Blazers rather have the statue than a viable RUGBY club!! Good luck in your fight for a future life in the league whichever one that may be.
Exeter Chiefs Supporter

Reply Quote Report

southlondoner
01/12/2009 22:56

We have as i understand the council who owns the ground.

Therefore we can play, we should be able to play on Friday on a council pitch.They must recognise that any business that can bring 2-3000 people into Coventry on a Friday night is worth saving. We also must be a valid business on that basis to any bank.

Lets first play then worry on saturday, lets see if Bedford bring a crowd to support us. Lets also see by then where we stand.

Just two things,

1) I know the players will play for us regardless on Friday, money or not.

2) Cov fans won't like to hear, but we should enlist
one mans help, the architect of Moseley, if any one could in short term help us, he has the skills, and the love of the game. The West Mids almost lost Mose, B & S,us believe.


All is not lost.

Greg

Reply Quote Report

Al from Cov
01/12/2009 22:58

hope you are right Greg. Its whether the RFU let us play or not.

Reply Quote Report

southlondoner
01/12/2009 23:11

Well i don't see how their reputation is also not on line. If the team and maynard (like him or not ) says to the RFU, that the council says we can use a council pitch, the team will play, then whats the problem!

The RFU hae only to look at what they hae created, LW B&S, Mose before, Notts almost etc etc. So much for tele money developing the future Eng players in a pro league.

They must accept that if Maynard says team will play, both council and RFU have no choice, or loose all respect.

I know for a fact even our injured boys will turn out, so should we!

Reply Quote Report

magwitch
01/12/2009 23:40

Its not a Council Pitch its the leaseholders pitch which is the BANK.......having liquidated the CRC Ltd the club is no more, Ive no doubt if a deal with the RFU can be brokered, we will get permission to play on the pitch.....we have three days to get the RFU approval.register a NEW NEW Company name ...transfer the RFU share and hold on to the players.....easyGREEN

Reply Quote Report

The Prof
02/12/2009 00:07

I'm gutted for you, we Quins fans had a great trip up to you in ND1, it's so sad to see money sweeping away a great historic club like Coventry

Reply Quote Report

bigm/ mark harrison.
02/12/2009 00:24

andrew green and his cronies have a lot of people to answer to,.Try explaining to all those people who laid out money for the bond,because they believed in you and your way forward.Those children who put pocket money into the buckets,you should be ashamed.The pensioners who digged deep into their heating allowance because of fond memories of coundon rd, you should be ashamed.Those new supporters who were new to the club with the movement to the butts,you should be ashamed.......but if you consider yourself above approach well who cares

Reply Quote Report

Tiny George
02/12/2009 22:21

Gutted to hear this news.

One of the oldest clubs is no more, yes you can argue that the current owner(s) are to blame but surely the RFU should accept some responsibility for creating the conditions that have allowed this to happen, not only at Cov but at, potentially, several other clubs.

Shame on them.

TG

Reply Quote Report

Goto: Forum List•Message List•Search• Log In

Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

We record all IP addresses on the Sportnetwork message boards which may be required by the authorities in case of defamatory or abusive comment. We seek to monitor the Message Boards at regular intervals. We do not associate Sportnetwork with any of the comments and do not take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed on the Message Boards. If you have any cause for concern over any material posted here please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing abuse@sportnetwork.net