Pictures spread through social media yesterday evening suggesting that Coventry’s Ricoh Arena, but in fact it was an over enthusiastic rehearsal of a pyrotechnic display for a concert on Wednesday. Even BBC Midlands News had to deny the story, but perhaps it is not surprising that it spread given understandable nervousness about the fate of Coventry City.
Pictures spread through social media yesterday evening suggesting that Coventry’s Ricoh Arena, but in fact it was an over enthusiastic rehearsal of a pyrotechnic display for a concert on Wednesday. Even BBC Midlands News had to deny the story, but perhaps it is not surprising that it spread given understandable nervousness about the fate of Coventry City.
Coventry City supporters group, the Sky Blue Trust are seeking legal advice over the club’s former CEO, Tom Fisher’s influence at the club. They are concerned that since being placed into administration, former CEO, Tom Fisher has continued to exert his influence over the club’s future at the Ricoh Arena despite them being under the control of administrator, Paul Appleton of David Rubin & Partners LLP.
A statement released by Supporters Direct on behalf of the Sky Blue Trust read, ‘When Coventry City FC Limited was placed into administration Paul Appleton of David Rubin & Partners LLP was appointed as joint administrator. This means he is in charge of the business. This is established in law.
‘We are therefore confused about why Tim Fisher, former Chief Executive of Coventry City FC, and who we believe is still employed by Coventry City FC (Holdings) Ltd, appears to be exerting such influence over the actions of Paul Appleton, particularly around the future of the club at the Ricoh Arena.
‘We are currently seeking legal clarification of this understanding, as we are concerned to ensure that Paul Appleton is not acting in the best interests of the creditors of Coventry City FC Limited.
‘Ultimately, the decisions made by Paul Appleton and David Rubin and Partners LLP are about the future not of an ordinary business, but of a community asset; a Football Club that has been part of our City, its life and its community since 1883.
‘We take the current threat to the future of our Football Club extremely seriously and will not sit back whilst it is buffeted by the demands of a small group of self-interested, selfish individuals who have no interest other than themselves and their short-term investment concerns.
‘We call on The Football League to investigate this relationship, that the integrity of their competition is protected, and the Football Association also stand firm on this threat to our Football Club and our national game.’
Arena Coventry Ltd (ACL), the firm who run the Ricoh Arena, say they are baffled by reports that Coventry City now intend to resolve their year-long rent row by building a new stadium.
Sky Blues chief executive Tim Fisher announced on Saturday that specialists have been hired to advise on new sites. But solicitor James Powell, from the firm acting for ACL, says he cannot see how the club can afford a new ground. It also remains unclear where they would play while the stadium was being built.