It’s not often I write a post like this, but I feel I need too. After 19 years as a cop, and giving my life for the public I’ve never met, believing in a better tomorrow…..I’m utterly disgusted, ashamed and have absolutely no faith in our justice system anymore.
An officer was fired for arresting a violent offender, who was armed with a weapon, because he had used some naughty words. The same ex-officer tackled a shoplifter who’s been charged with a plethora of offences, but has now been charged with assault after taking the offender to the floor. (Which is what he was trained to do)
Then two violent thugs, assault various people, attack female officers, and when an officer steps in to do his job, they can’t get a guilty verdict or won’t run a final trial.
I’m lost for words and have absolutely no faith in CPS, their decision making, or the justice system.
This is not just a case for the police, but shows the greater community that if you’re decent and law abiding, witness a crime and want to help…..you’ll have the book thrown at you.
However if you want to fight to police……it’s perfectly fine to do so.
From the moment I walked into the ground, something clicked. I met a group of lads who are now some of my closest mates. They welcomed me like family. It felt like a brotherhood — thousands of people pulling together for one cause: roaring Coventry home. And for the first time in football, I truly felt it. The more games I went to, the deeper that connection became. The heartbreak after defeats. The pride after victories. The pain of falling short. The joy of fighting back from League Two. I fell in love with the club, the people, and the community around it. Coventry embraced me from day one, and I’ve always wanted to give that love back however I can.
That’s why I’ve supported charity events in the city quietly over the years. Why I contributed to the iconic George Curtis and John Sillett statue when Joe Elliott needed help getting it over the line. Why I offered to fly Lauti over from Argentina for the Luton playoff final after seeing how brilliantly he represented the club online. And why I played for free at the “We Are Live��� concert on monday after promotion to the Premier League. How could I charge a club that’s given me so much joy?
From the RICOH to the CBS, from Southend away, Blackburn away, to the "Home Games" at St Andrews.... Millwall away, QPR away, Luton away… from playoff heartbreak to League One glory during Covid to the infamous robbery at Wembley against United (where I was sat in the cov end) - I’ve lived the highs and lows with everyone else. Watching games on planes, trains, in cars, on phones and iPads around the world. That’s when you realise it’s more than football. It’s about belonging. Camaraderie. Community.
So what genuinely hurts isn’t the idea that I support both United and Coventry - I’ve always been open about that. It’s the suggestion that I’m somehow “using” Coventry. Trust me, i say this without any arrogance intended but I was selling out 20,000 capacity arenas around the world whilst sat in attendances half that size watching coventry. I only say that to diminish any clout claims which I'm not here for, and Never have been. I’m there because I love the club, the people, and being part of the Sky Blue Army.
To me, supporting two clubs has never been that deep, but for the record I'm a cov fan who keeps an eye on United's scores. Loads of people have an English team and a Scottish team and nobody bats an eyelid. I’ve grown up feeling connected to both England and Ireland because of my parents — and anyone who’s heard my dad speak knows he’s the most Irish man alive. That probably explains why I’ve played for both England and Rest of the World at Soccer Aid too… England this year by the way 😉
If you’re still reading this, just know I’ll keep going to as many Cov games as my schedule allows, and I’ll love every fucking minute of it. Because I love my mates up there, I love what the club stands for, the city and its community, and I fucking love Coventry City Football Club.
Big up the gaffer and my pal Frank. I’ll sign off with the text he sent me the day he joined Cov - “UP THE FUCKIN COV!!!!! 🩵🩵”
See you in the Prem. #PUSB
Tom x
Massive congratulations to @Coventry_City on winning the EFL Championship! 🏆
To the players, manager, staff, owner, and everyone connected with the club, the whole city is proud of you.