Coming To Cov - West Bromwich Albion

Last updated : 27 April 2007 By Covsupport
COVENTRY CITY V WEST BROMWICH ALBION
SATURDAY APRIL 28TH AT 3PM
At Ricoh Arena, Phoenix Way,Coventry,CV6 6GE

WHO ARE THEY?
Rumoured to be formed by employees of Saltley Spring Works as West Bromwich Strollers in 1878. They turned professional in 1885 and were founder members of the Football League playing their first match in September 1888 and beating Stoke City 2-0 away from home.

Games in that season were played at Stoney Lane and the club moved to their current Hawthorns home in 1900.

The Baggies who also have the nicknames "Throstles", "Albion" or "WBA" won the Football League Division One in 1919-20. They were also twice champions of Division 2.

This is their first season back in the Championship after playing for two seasons in the top flight. Five time winners of the FA Cup,they have also won the League Cup.

Their current manager is Tony Mowbray who was appointed in November 2006 following the dismissal of Bryan Robson.
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THEIR OFFICAL WEBSITE
www.wbafc.co.uk
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LAST MATCH
Coventry lost 2-1 at Sheffield Wednesday whilst West Brom lost 3-2 at Burnley.
This is the 58th league and cup game between the two sides. The Sky Blues have a poor record against Albion winning on only fifteen occasions with fifteen draws and twenty seven losses. City have scored 64 times in those 57 matches with the Baggies scoring 103 times.

Coventry City Home Form WWWWLL West Bromwich Albion Away Form DDLWWL (last six matches).

At home this season in league games, City have won 11 games drawn 4 and lost 7 scoring 30 but conceding 24 goals. Away this season,West Brom have won 7 drawn 6 and lost 9. Scored 29 but concede 31.

Back in December 2006, City lost 5-0 at the Hawthorns. Coventry are 17th in the table with West Brom fifth.
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TEAM NEWS
Michael Doyle is back after a two game suspension for Iain Dowie's side. Those involved in the game at Sheffield Wedneday should all be fit to play. Robert Page and Dele Adebola are doubts.

For The Baggies,Curtis Davies has a broken foot, Lee Hughes' mate Neil Clement is serving a four game ban and Sam Sodje has a foot injury. Former Spurs player Chris Perry may be recalled by Tony Mowbray. Shane Nicholson can play after escaping a four game ban for his dismissal at Burnley.
__________________________________________________________________________________________ ON THE GAME
Elliott Ward said: "We've got West Brom on Saturday and it would be nice to put on a good show for the fans for that one."

Iain Dowie told Sky Blue World: "I think the fans' reaction during a difficult month has been fantastic., especially away from home - the following we took to Sheffield Wednesday last weekend was outstanding. "We've got to make sure we give them something to cheer about on Saturday because they have been terrific since I have been here and we must now give them belief so they go away thinking they can't wait for the first game of next season.

"Any side that has the likes of Gera, Koumas and Kamara in their team - just two of West Brom's top quality players - are definitely capable of hurting you but we have to concentrate on our own game because we want them to be worried more about us."
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MATCH OFFICIALS
The currently appointed referee is Chris Foy. His assistants are S.Artis and A.Williams. The fourth official is M.Haywood.

Mr Foy, who is Merseyside based,was the referee for City first home game of this season against Sunderland back in August .
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MATCH DETAILS
Kick off is at 3pm. Tickets are at normal prices. West Brom have been allocated 6,200 tickets and have sold their allocation. A crowd of around 26,000 is expected so arrive early if possible.

There will be a minutes applause to mark the life of Alan Ball who passed away yesterday aged 61 before City's final home game of the season with West Brom on Saturday. The former England midfielder who played against City for Everton,Arsenal and Southampton,was the youngest player in England's 1996 World Cup winning team.

Before the game,Andy Marshall will receive the Player Of The Year Trophy from the South Wales Supporters Club and the Freehold Street based Coventry City Supporters Club.

Isaac Osbourne will receive the Christy Heffernan Memorial Trophy after the game after winning the Sky Blue Trust Young Player Of The Year Award for the second season running.

Michael Doyle will received the Player Of The Year award from the Coventry City Supporters Club Irish Branch after the game.

At half time the City 87 FA Cup winning team will be presented on the pitch.
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WEATHER
A sunny day with temperatures around 68 degrees expected.
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HOW TO GET THERE
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. Supporters are advised that there is only park and ride site to the south of the city at the Jaguar car plant.

Coaches From Rugby.
The coaches from the Avon Mill in Newbold Road is running again £4.00 per game ian.moore3@tesco.net

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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LOCALLY
What is going on locally can be found here http://www.coventrycity-mad.co.uk/news/loadfeat.asp?cid=ED12&id=336006

Premiership
Blackburn v Charlton, Wigan v West Ham,Sheffield United v Watford,

Championship
Barnsley v Leicester, Birmingham v Sheff Wed, Cardiff v Hull, Leeds v Ipswich,Norwich v Southampton,Plymouth v Preston, Southend v Luton,Stoke v Colchester,Wolves v QPR.

League One Blackpool v Scunthorpe,Brighton v Oldham,Millwall v Bristol City,Crewe v Tranmere,Carlisle v Swansea
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