The Coventry City Former Players Association was very sad to hear that Coventry City’s Operations Manager Andy Harvey is leaving the club, ostensibly after staff cut backs at the club’s Ryton training ground. Andy has had a long association with both city and football club and has been a familiar sight at Sky Blues games for many years and in more recent years the kit man has taken on a more wider ranging player liaison and welfare role.
At least two of our illustrious former player members, former wide man Steve Froggatt and shotstopper Chris Kirkland who both knew Andy well during their time at CCFC are reported to have tweeted their disquiet at the nature of Andy’s departure. Steve tweeted, “Fuming, just heard Andy Harvey has been made redundant after 25 yrs dedicated service” (and has vowed not to have anything to do with club under the current owners) and Chris tweeted “Gutted to hear Mr @Coventry_City Andy Harvey has been made redundant after over 25 years hard work, somethings don’t make sense.”
George Dalton with Andy
CCFPA Chairman Jim Brown visited the club’s Ryton HQ before leaving on holiday and met Andy. Jim invited Andy to become an Honorary Member of the Association in the light of his long service with the club and Andy was very pleased to accept. We will be getting his official badge and tie to him as soon as practicable.
Last month Coventry Telegraph published a photograph from over 30 years ago of now CCFPA member George Dalton, then CCFC’s physio with Andy then a 19 years old, former Caludon Castle schoolboy who had been working George’s assistant as a YTS trainee. On 2nd May 1986 Andy (the caption says) was about to leave for the USA planning to apply for a place at a New York College of Physiotherapy.
We wish Andy well in finding new employment. He will always be welcome at Association functions and look forward to seeing him next season.