Coventry Statement

Wednesday December 2, 2009
Issued by Peter Thomas

THE Rugby Football Union (RFU) today met with Coventry President and former England fullback Peter Rossborough at Twickenham Stadium about the future of the club and Championship rugby in the City.

The discussions between Mr Rossborough and his advisors and RFU Chief Executive Francis Baron, RFU Management Board Chairman Martyn Thomas and RFU Company Secretary Karena Vleck were productive and will be ongoing.

However, the RFU has yet to hear from Andrew Green further to his statement about his intent to put Coventry Rugby Football Club Limited into Creditors Voluntary Liquidation which is not proving helpful.

In addition the RFU has not heard from, nor been made aware of, any legal advisors being appointed to complete the liquidation process and so, at the current time, the legal status of the club remains unclear.

Therefore it is the current view of the RFU that until legally confirmed otherwise the club continues to trade and is obligated to play its game against Bedford Blues on Friday night.

The RFU was pleased to note that the players had agreed to play the game and the support being offered by Coventry City Council. The offer by the Ricoh Arena and its shareholders, Coventry City Council and the Alan Edward Higgs Charity, to host the Bedford Blues game, was also welcomed and it is hoped they will continue to be so supportive until the situation is resolved.

Francis Baron said:

"We are very keen to do whatever we can to maintain rugby in Coventry where there is a great history and tradition.

We are hopeful that Peter and other interested parties can put in place a plan of action that assures the legal status of the club and can deliver long term certainty to the club.

We will be working with Peter to help him where we can and are in dialogue with the other Championship clubs to ensure we maintain the integrity of the league."