[22 JAN 02] COVENTRY CITY NEWS

Robinson Back On Board

Mr Robinson was a Sky Blues’ director when the Labour party returned to power in the 1997 General Election, but soon afterwards he was made Paymaster General and stood down from the City board.

As a member of the Government, Mr Robinson had to give up all his directorships and that included his role at Highfield Road. He was made the club’s Honorary President while his place on the board was taken by his long-time business associate, Miss Brenda Price, who is an accountant.

Mr Robinson lost his Government role after allegations about loans he had made to fellow Minister Peter Mandelson. A high-profile investigation into Mr Robinson’s business affairs followed, but although the MP had to apologise to the Commons for withholding some information, no wrong-doing on his part has been proven and no action has been taken against him.

Free from Government office, Mr Robinson was voted back on to the board of the football club at a board meeting held at Highfield Road at the end of last week.

Coventry City now has eight directors – Chairman Bryan Richardson and Deputy Chairman Mike McGinnity, plus Derek Higgs, Michael Jepson, Brenda Price, John Reason, Geoffrey Robinson and Graham Hover, who is also the company secretary. Local businessman Joe Elliott is an Associate Director of the club, but does not sit on the board.