Coming To Cov - Crystal Palace

MATCH DETAILS
Kick off is at 3pm. Tickets at usual prices. The game is a Family Fun Day with an appearance by Santa. There will also be face painting etc for younger supporters.

Coventry Sphinx are encouraging all Coventry City supporters to make Boxing Day a festive double header when they entertain Atherstone Town in the Midland Football Alliance (11.30am). The kick off has been moved forwards to give all those going to watch the Sky Blues game against Crystal Palace at the Ricoh (3.00pm) the opportunity to give Paul Charnley's side as much support as possible in this eagerly anticipated local derby.

Any Sky Blues supporters showing their season or match day ticket will gain entry for a reduced admission of £4 (Normally £5) with any JSB's going free.
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WEATHER
A sunny day with a high of six degrees is forecast, which should dry out the heavy rain predicted for Christmas Day.
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THE LAST TIME
This will be the 93rd meeting of the two sides. Coventry have won thirty four occasions with thirty draws. The Sky Blues have scored 151 goals compared to Palace's 125.

Leon Best scored for City in a 1-1 draw at Selhurst Park back in September.

Crystal Palace have scored four goals on their previous two visits to the Ricoh Arena.

The last was a 4-2 win back in January. The defeat helped cost Micky Adams his job and saw Fletcher,Kuqi,Cort and McAnuff give Palace a 4-0 lead after 38 minutes. Leon McKenzie scored in the 44th minute and Kevin Kyle added a second in the 57th minute.

Back in the 1930's City beat Palace 8-0 and 8-1.
__________________________________________________________________ THE MATCH OFFICIALS
The referee is K.Stroud. His assistants are P.Keane and R.Pollock. The Fourth Official is R.Beeby.

Keith Stroud from Hampshire is on the Premiership list. His last City game was the 1-0 defeat at Wolves earlier in the season. Six players were booked in that game and Mr Stroud has had 17 games this season, producing 64 yellows and four red cards.
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TRAVEL
By car: Leave the M6 at junction 3. Take the A444 towards the City centre and at the first island go left and you will see the Ricoh Arena on your right.

By rail: For all train information call National Rail Enquiries on: 08457 48 49 50, but be warned Coventry station is a £10+ taxi ride away. Take the 27 bus from the train station get off at Pool Meadow bus station and catch the 4 or 5 service. Or go out of doors and over the road by Sainsburys and get the 20, getting off the by Tescos.

Parking: Car parking is extremely restricted around the ground.

Travel Coventry will be operating a Sunday service on Boxing Day. To supplement the service A-Line Coaches will be running a dedicated service from Fairfax Street on a constant shuttle (opposite Pool Meadow Bus Station) using Ricoh Arena temporary bus stop signs. The fare is £3 return, dropping the passengers off on Judds Lane and picking them up again on Judds Lane after the game.

Jaguar Whitley will be operating as normal for the Park and Ride both for home and away supporters. There will be Park and Walk at Christ the King, St. Finbars and Wayside. The regular people will be using these sites. There is limited parking (about 200) on the day at car park C at £10 per car.

Coaches From Rugby.


The Avon mill are running the coach travel to all home games this season again anyone interested please contact Mac on 01788 542815 or email rugbyccfc1@yahoo.co.uk £4 per person per game or you can purchase a season ticket for the whole season for £85

Coaches From Kenilworth For details please contact harry.bragginton@btinternet.com

Travel From London for Members of CCLSC http://www.cclsc.co.uk/

AWAY SUPPORTERS PARKING
Car parking around the Ricoh Arena is strictly limited.

However, there is a designated away supporters car park, situated around five minutes walk away from the ground. The car park is secure and cost is £5 - but spaces are limited to just 100.

Directions: M6 to junction 3. Take 3rd exit if coming from north or 1st exit if travelling from the south. At the 2nd roundabout, take the 2nd exit, under the railway bridge, through the first set of traffic lights, and pass the pedestrian lights. At the next set of lights, turn right into Blackburn Road and the car park is at the top of the road.

SAT NAV
Some car satellite navigation systems have not been updated to show Coventry City FC as playing at the Ricoh Arena. Those visiting the ground for the first time are advised to enter "Phoenix Way" and the post code "CV6 6GE" instead.
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TEAM NEWS
Kevin Kyle is suspended after being sent off at Blackpool for an elbow. Michael Hughes is doubtful after limping off in the same game whilst Leon McKenzie is again expected not to play.

Neil Warnock is expected to name the same team which beat Plymouth 2-1 on Saturday. This means former Sky Blue James Scowcroft,who scored in that game, will start. Palace are without Paul Ifill, Tony Craig, Mark Kennedy and Paul Dickov.