Long Shot

The same as the rest of us - a tenner. They didn't have enough to pay us so have had to pop down to Ladbrokes in Shirley to claim my winnings this morning. The manager wasn't too happy parting with nearly 4 grand. Mind you I didn't feel too safe walking up Shirley High St with that much in my pocket. Shirley is a bit different from what I remember it being in the 70s.

A few questions. I was actually sitting very near Mr Fulthorpe and Mr Crouch. Mr Lowe and Cowans and Mr Richards were ony a few feet away in the director's box. Andrew Cowans came over and shook everyone's hand but (as far as I noticed) Rupert Lowe did not acknowledge either man. Mr Fulthorpe made it clear that he is only a representative of the so called "consortium". Yes his background is planning (he has in fact just retired) and although he didn't say this I have heard from friends of his that there is some sort of development aspirations. I know nothing about John Cousins other than he was there on Saturday sitting alongside JF. I believe RL is onside with JF's plans but quite understandably has now said "show us your money" before progressing further and undoubtedly that is a prudent position because all we have had so far is lots of talk.

Can't fault his betting tips - when a 125 to 1 comes in I do owe him at least a beer.

Hear hear!

And I made that very point to JF. I told him the fans were fed up being told or hearing rumours that it would happen by the end of the week. He took it on board (I think) but he did appear to be a thick skinned individual. Like you I will be happy if it happens but I think the chances are considerably less than 50%. Still it was nice to talk to the horse's mouth for once and I think it only fair to reveal it on here so people can make their own minds up.

WSS when i said that I meant divulge any more details of the conversation - I am happy to clarify any misunderstandings and i wouldn't like people to have the impression that LC was working in tandem with JF.

Prefer the earlier stuff like "Jackpot" but Long shot is a Pioneers fan - big time. Yip Yip hooray!

No LC is not part of this group although I know JF keeps him "informed" as he does the other 2 major shareholder groups. That would only make sense because the first steps would be an approach to buy all the shares.

I really hate to start another "takeover" thread but at the same time it is important that this forum gets up to date "report back" if it is going to be taken seriously. I was lucky enough to be a guest of corporate hospitality at Doncaster yesterday. Also there was J Fulthorpe and, because we had both placed lucrative bets we fell into an interesting conversation around the Ladbrokes desk, post match. Without going into the nitty gritty he insisted the takeover is still alive and could happen this week. I told him that everyone was fed up with the "its about to happen any moment" rumour and now was the time to deliver or shut up. He accepted that criticism and said things had been awkward recently (Rupert) but he was confident "it" would happen. I asked him where the money was coming from and if the credit crunch problem would harm things. Apparantly the "money" is from the USA/Germany/Canada. This is the first time I have met JF and I have to say although I felt him to be a friendly and avuncular man I do think he could be regarded as a bit of a "Walter Mitty". I hope I am wrong, fair play to him for being there alongside John Cousins. Apart from that the only other person I recognised sitting nearby was Leon Crouch. During the match I sat near him and Andrew Cowan greeted him as our seats were very near the director's box. (Rupert Lowe and Mike Richards were present but no sign of M Wilde). I am going to make no further comment on this thread, indeed I was reluctant to make it in the first place but I do feel a certain duty to let the fans know what I witnessed yesterday. Personally I don't think a takeover with JF will happen but I think the bloke has at least tried to broker something and after all he is at least a fan who wants what is best for our club.

Assets to strip - Staplewood, Jacksons Farm and the Academy Lodge. How much have SISU invested in Coventry? Even with the benefit of hindsight I gather none of the 3 amigos regret turning down the SISU offer even if they haven't taken the trouble to formally explain why.

I hate to think what would this forum be like without the resident comedians

He did OK - I wouldn't say he and Wotton are natural partners and in the 1st half we were caught out but by the end of the game he looked accomplished enough.

I think they just thought/think that it was not a worthy offer ie there was no money other than money to buy the club.

I thought the first pen a little lucky but the 2nd clear cut. Thought the ref leaned to favouring us but hey who is moaning especially when I had a tenner on 0-2 and Surman to score first goal (after og still counts) at 125-1. Made the drive home a little more enjoyable especially as the other 2 in the car had done the same.

I have been told by an impeccable source that they did indeed approach us with a view to invest prior to turning to Ipswich but the "in fighting" put them off.

And yet it was Rupert who put him on our wage book in the first place. One week at Bammall Lane will be enough for Blackwell to realise he is crap.

Still waiting to be told about the Walcott money too

But the buck has to stop somewhere and Burley chose to bring Pele to this club so ultimately it is his responsibility. However I agree about the stupidity of blaming JP because he is not chosing the players that are here - they are being foisted on him whereas Burley had a choice.

Absolutely - if nothing else it is good manners. It frightens me that last night presumably we had David Jones and Andrew Cowans as our sole representatives and tbh I'm not sure they were even there.

It might reflect on the attitudes of the players if the men that negotiate their contracts aren't there to see how their employees perform - just a thought.

I don't think either Chairman (or directors) should be anywhere near the dugout but I'd like to see them in the director's box. Last night I presume then the only board members who were there were David Jones and Andrew Cowan - I bet the Rotherham Board room after the match was a WOW!

So as to keep an eye on the progress that may or may not be happening. I only ask because it appears neither Lowe or Wilde were at Rotherham last night. I also think I am right in saying Lowe missed Saturday's match v Barnsley which means he has not witnessed the rather depressing and sudden slump in our fortunes. I am old fashioned to want at least one of our "leaders" at all matches. Old Ted Bates, when he was President. never missed a game home or away, but I guess he had a REAL passion for the club.

At the beginning of the season Lowe told David McG he would be our striker this season, that is why he is always picked.

I really don't think Svensson is up to playing in the CCC to be honest and one mistake we have made this season is to assume his injury is behind him, because blatantly it is not.

Spoken like a veteran cynic