Moorcroft Talks City

Last updated : 23 August 2006 By Covsupport

Dave Moorcroft is one of Britain's great long distance runners. The 53-year-old City supporter and former Coventry Godiva athlete dominated the longer distance events during the late 70's and early 80's and he still holds the British 3000metres and 5000metres records, which both stood for 24 years.

Moorcroft is still actively involved with athletics, especially with his roles in the media, UK Athletics and president of his hometown club. Covsupport caught up with the running legend at last weekend's Norwich Union International in Birmingham (Alexandra Stadium, Perry Barr) to chat about his beloved Sky Blues.

Undoubtedly, Gary McSheffery's move to Birmingham City is the number one subject with every City supporter. Moorcroft reckons the transfer may be a good thing if the money is spent wisely: "He (Adams) got to use the money well. It was a great shame to sell him, not only he was a fantastic player but also a Coventry kid and that which makes it special."

"But it was a decision made more on the basis of getting two or three for the price of one excellent player and if that works out then it would be a good sell."

Bobby Zamora, Ade Akinbiyi, and Sam Parkin are just a few names been touted on Mickey Adam's shopping list. So who would Moorcroft like to see as the perfect replacement for McSheffery: "I would be tempted to go for two players rather for just one. There seem to be some cracking foreign players available for less money than the British equivalent."

City have had a mixed start to 2006/07. Just one win, a draw and two losses after four games but as everyone would say it's early days according to Moorcroft and he reckons the Sky Blues will be playing Premiership football next season: "I really believe we can do it but it's going to be tough season."

"I've been listening to Paul Fletcher's talk recently and they have a plan. If they stick to that plan and invest wisely and spend the money well then maybe the sell of McSheffery would be worked out to be really good but we shall see. I think we can do it but it will be a lot of pressure."

When Moorcroft is not at The Ricoh, fellow former Cov distance runner and season ticket holder Dave Long will be speaking and texting him to give him the low-down of everything happening at the Sky Blues. He is impressed with the season old stadium: "It's a fantastic complex. It's not the football part that surprised me but the rest of it."

"City's record at the Ricoh last season was not bad. To lay the foundations of a successful campaign is to remain unbeaten at home this season and pick up what we can pick up you can away that's what City have to do."

Moorcroft is a fan of manager Micky Adams and reckons he is the man to take the Sky Blues forward, and more importantly as what every City fan wants, back to the Premiership: "He's a compassionate guy and an intelligent bloke. He understands that level of football and I was really impressed with him last season. And I hope he does it. "It's going to be tough but I really reckon we can reach the play-offs and win it. It's an unusual and unpredictable league as demonstrated last season. The league is predominately dominated by Midlands and and they key is to win all your Midland derbies. It would have been nice if we had beaten Leicester last night!"

We both agreed, as would every City supporter, that it would be great if the Sky Blues and Brum went up and Aston Villa went down. And hopefully it will happen!

Coventry Godiva and Sky Blues fan Marlon Devonish picked up a gold medal for the GB sprint relay team at the recent European Championship in Gothenburg. Moorcroft is over the moon with his latest success:

"I am really chuffed with Marlon. He's done really well and continues to do well. He's 30 and he is a credit to athletics and the city of Coventry."

Do we have any future Marlon Devonish's or Dave Moorcroft's coming through: "We have a number of medallists from Coventry and Warwickshire at the recent English Schools Championships so the talent is there. It difficult to put pressure with some of these individuals but Marlon is a great example of what can be done. The kids have seen what he was done and know that they can do it especially with the Olympics coming here in 2012."