As a result of a number of false allegations and increasing media speculation surrounding Coventry Rugby Football Club's decision to exclude Ms Claire Harrison from attending home matches, the Club has issued a statement in bid to set the record straight.

•    After lengthy discussion the Club’s management decided that a change to the Club’s kit supplier, Flash, was needed. This change happened in December 2006. The decision was reached as a result of, in our opinion, sub-standard merchandise, supply and delivery issues and general feedback from around the Club of unhappy supporters. The Club realised that this process was going to be painful but knew that the players, sponsors and supporters, as well as the Club’s management had high expectations and demanded the best; we wanted to make sure that was delivered.

•    Before this decision was reached, the Club’s management made several attempts to resolve these problems with Flash. However, Flash’s owner Mr Steve Weeks chose not to work with the Club to arrange a mutually viable solution and instead entered straight into legal proceedings against the Club.

•    The Club’s management team knew that the case would be difficult to fight due to the lack of audit trails and very few official processes implemented by the previous management. The Club decided to contest Flash as it felt it owed this to sponsors and supporters alike.

•    Under disclosure laws, both parties had to submit their evidence prior to the hearing. At this point, the Club saw Ms Harrison’s statement and, if they had so desired, had the ideal opportunity to take action against her for giving a statement against the Club. The Club did not do this.

•    This was a civil case and in a statement made to a local radio presenter Ms Harrison stated she had to go to court. This is incorrect. Ms Harrison was not subpoenaed and therefore chose to go of her own volition.

•    Ms Harrison stated that she was “banned for telling the truth.” When the case came to court, Ms Harrison was not called upon to speak so how could the Club have “banned her for telling the truth” when she never even spoke in court?

•    When the judgement went against the Club, eyewitnesses watched Ms Harrison rejoice in the fact, appearing overjoyed that the Club had lost the case - not the actions of so-called loyal Coventry RFC supporter.

•    The Club was extremely surprised, shocked and upset at Ms Harrison’s behaviour after the court hearing. Everyone at the Club was under the impression Ms Harrison was a loyal and dedicated supporter of the Club; however her actions completely belied this image.

•    Ms Harrison and two members of her immediate family have been the Club’s match day mascots for several seasons; most Clubs view this role as a privilege. They did a great job of engaging the crowd before a game and then, after changing, always sat in the stadium to support the team and watch the match. The Club allowed all three members of the family free entrance to all home games at the ground.

•    After the court hearing, the Club management team felt upset and deceived by Ms Harrison’s actions and it was decided to give both parties some breathing space for a short time. The Club wrote to Ms Harrison informing her of its disappointment and utter dismay at her recent behaviour and suggested a ‘cooling-off period’ for both parties. The content of that letter was as follows:

“Further to a recent legal situation between Flask (UK) Limited and ourselves, in which you appeared on behalf of Flash against the club, I would like to state for the record that your actions have caused us surprise and confusion.

We understood you to be a loyal Coventry RFC fan who regularly supports the club and attends games. As you are aware, we took over the club last August and it was clear that there were a number of problems we had to rectify for the future benefit of the club. However, there are those who do not seem to want this to happen and we must seek to protect what is one of the oldest and most famous clubs in England.

With this in mind and as a consequence of your recent actions, I feel unfortunately I only have one course of action and that is, from this date forward, to request that until further notice you have no formal relationship with this club”

•    Ms Harrison stated that she tried to ring the Club upon receipt of the above letter but could not get an answer. Since 60 people work at the Club, 10 of whom are dedicated to administration; the Club finds this very hard to believe. However, Ms Harrison’s uncle, Nigel Harrison, did not have this trouble and managed to get through and speak to the club’s Vice Chairman.

•    The Vice Chairman underlined the Club’s surprise at Ms Harrison’s actions and explained the Club’s point of view. Knowing the Chairman, he suggested Ms Harrison write a letter to him outlining her feelings and view of the situation with the hope of resolving the issues.

•    Ms Harrison decided not to do this and chose to tell her ‘story’ to as many of the local media as possible. In our opinion this was done in a bid to cause problems and stir as much trouble for the Club as possible - again this does not represent the actions of a true supporter.

•    Following a number of stories in the local media, all of which contained false allegations against the Club, Ms Harrison then decided to use the Internet to further blacken the name of Coventry RFC by relaying a false account of events. Once this process had reached a height, Ms Harrison chose to write to the Club demanding an apology. She stated that further media coverage would come out unless she had an apology from the Club and then she would consider returning. In our opinion Ms Harrison obviously felt she was in a position of strength and did not seem concerned at the trouble she had caused the Club which she states she loves so much. In addition, she has also put numerous people in a difficult position who have supporter her false allegation and account of the events. In fact, it should be Ms Harrison, a supposed loyal fan of the Club who has, over the last few weeks displayed nothing but contempt by causing as much bad publicity as possible for her ‘beloved Coventry RFC’, who must understand the consequences of her recent actions.

The Club will not make any further comment on this matter. It refuses to be dragged into petty arguments with supposed supporters of the Club whose only desire is to damage the Club and its reputation on a local, regional and national level.

Ends.

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