By Tony Harris Chairman CRSC
January 19 2010

All, a meeting involving representatives of the Supporters Club, Focus group, and save Coventry Facebook group was held last week with the Club and the following are the main salient points to report:- The Club is still in existence and a new Limited Company has been formed with the initial Board being Peter Rossborough, John Maguire and Chris Gregory.

Further people may be seconded to this Board in due course.

1)      The Board will be unpaid.

2)      Members of this Board and other businessmen/supporters have contributed financially to ensure that the club have been able to continue and trade during this difficult period.

3)      The Club have received support from the Coventry City Council and the RFU and both bodies wish to see Coventry to continue to have a senior rugby club, however acknowledging that the club need to fit within whatever structures are in already in place to manage the game of Rugby (league regulations etc).

4)      The Board wish to ensure that no one person can again have sole decision making powers over the activities and future of the Club.

5)      The board wish to stabilise the finances of the club and ensure any development plans (both on and off the pitch) are both realistic and achievable.

6)      The club has permission from the leaseholder to remain on site and the terms of the headlease requires that rugby continues to be played at the ground.

7)      The Club does not have any lease over the area of development land but believe that this will not affect them in the immediate future in continuing to play at the Butts Park Arena.

8)      Any finance generated at BPA (bar, functions) etc do contribute directly to the Revenue of the Club.

9)      The intent of the Board is to continue to play at BPA.

10)  The Board will look at the future fixture list and consider the issue of Friday/Saturday games.

11)  The Board wish to ensure the finance of the club are stabilised so that there is a firm footing for the future.

12)  The board acknowledge and thank the financial contribution that has been received from Jon Bowles that allows the Board further time to develop their plans and finances. These plans include continuing to develop links with the community/clubs. The finance from Mr Bowles has been provided to the club without any ties, it has been given by a philanthropic benefactor. We also wish to ensure Mr Bowles privacy and requests are respected.

13)  Salary payments to players/office staff are fully up to date

14)  The playing management (Phil Maynard/Aggy/Gully) fully support the new Board

15)  There is a strong sense of “togetherness” within the playing squad and indeed new signings have been announced to day to further strengthen the squad/competition.

16)  There is no debt to HM Customs & Revenue for the ‘new’ Club.

17)  The RFU have confirmed that the new club holds a
licence to continue in the Championship until the end of January, and
subject to the club showing them that they can pay the February wages
there will be a further extension until the end of February

18)  However the RFU need to consider the likely status of the league for season 2010/2011 and this has to be confirmed before the end of March. It is imperative therefore that the RFU are happy with the structure and proposed finances of the Club going forward by March 2010.

19)  The club are looking at all items of activity/finances etc – can you help with areas like stewarding, programme selling, ticket office etc.

20)  The Board are looking at different levels of sponsorship/life membership/facilities that can be hired out. Further details will be released shortly.

21)  Tom Little has agreed to act as co-ordinator for all ideas and
suggestions to benefit the club from all supporters and fans. Any such
ideas will be collated and discussed weekly directly with board member
Bob Curtis for onward discussion by the board.
To help in this matter a dedicated email address is available at
littletom2010@hotmail.co.uk or tel no 078055261207

22)  Further meetings will be held shortly with the wider ‘fan base’ as more details become confirmed by the Board.

Coventry Rugby Supporters Club wholeheartedly support the club in these aims and we wish to ensure that all supporters are involved TOGETHER to drive the club forward. We believe that we can develop a vibrant and strong supporters club to work with the club to achieve these aims.

If you wish to join the Supporters club and /or are able to offer assistance(financial or otherwise) please contact us.

Tony Harris

Coventry Rugby Supporters Club-Meeting with the Club 14/1/10

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 19/01/2010 18:25

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
19/01/2010 18:25

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:01:30:08:57:25 by Laugh Out Loud.

Reply Quote Report

Nige H
19/01/2010 20:03

This all seems to be good stuff, and that just as importantly a more open club is emerging from the shadow of greens secrecy..Which im sure most of us agree is great news.

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Laugh Out Loud (Dave Roach)
19/01/2010 20:43

Totally agree with you Nige. We have received more news in one week than in the entire reign of Green.

Congratulations to the new board. Keep the communication channels open…

Dave R.

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Roger Fox
20/01/2010 17:47

Have not had the opportunity and time to read and digest the report, but my immediate reaction is, why was this not a public meeting?

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gb1
20/01/2010 18:22

Point 22 - Further meetings will be held shortly with the wider ‘fan base’ as more details become confirmed by the Board.

Graham B

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rugby1300fjr
20/01/2010 18:36

It all reads like a great action novel. So glad that the pages are still being written as it sounds like it could be another best seller. Smashing job to all involved.
Fjr.

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Roger Fox
21/01/2010 17:05

Sorry gb1. Shooting from the hip.

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Roger Fox
21/01/2010 17:14

Very pleased that the Board are reviewing the issue of Friday/Saturday games. It's great news to hear that Mr Darling is longer on our back. My thanks to the club and those involved for this clear statement of intentions and I am looking forward to attending the public meeting.

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covkid53
22/01/2010 00:27

I dont want a public meeting, I want facts, figures and recommendations about where we are and what is needed to keep going.

I want an invitation to participate by buying a membership and (maybe) recommend a fixed monthly donation to cover matches if a certain "tiered" package is paid for; Use monthly direct debits to bring in the cash regularly.

A senior members club for example, could include a pre match meal and match day tickets if you pay the higher fixed monthly amount.

Lets invite people IN and get people involved and with a financial input we can carry the club forward.

The Management, players and supporters need to understand that we are all "COV" and that should be our motivation.

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tom snr
22/01/2010 11:15

in reply to covkid53 great ideas such positive suggestions should be routed to me via a dedicated email at littletom2010@hotmail.co.uk
i will collate all ideas and refer direct to board on a weekly basis as per Point 21.
i am preparing a fuller statement re ideas and suggestions.

tom little

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