Following Saturday’s match against Rochdale there are now just 20 scheduled League one matches left to be played at the Ricoh Arena before the current agreement for Coventry City to play at the Ricoh comes to an end.
At that point, unless something is done, the club will be homeless once again.
Today we launch our "Countdown to Homelessness" campaign to both raise the profile of this impending situation and to focus minds to ensure this doesn't become reality.
At around this time last season we commenced a similar campaign where we sent a series of messages/letters to all the relevant stakeholders after each remaining home game was played. Ultimately as the season neared its conclusion a one year extension to the Ricoh Arena deal was agreed.
This however has merely delayed the need for something more permanent. In agreeing to that deal the landlords, Wasps Rugby Club, made it clear that there would be no further extension if legal action against them by Sisu was continued. As we know, that Judicial Review process was taken to the Appeal Court in June with a decision pending, action which clearly endangers Coventry City’s continued tenure at the Ricoh.
We will therefore again this season be raising this critical issue after each league game is played at the Ricoh. Asking a simple question of ALL parties with a vested interest in Coventry City to let fans know what they are doing/can do to ensure the Sky Blues have a suitable home ground to play in beyond this current season.
This is a pivotal time for Coventry City FC. On the pitch, following last seasons promotion, Mark Robins has assembled a squad that he believes can take the club forward. We have also heard in the last week that the club’s academy has been granted Category 2 status which is a really positive development.
However there remain some key areas of uncertainty and concern which need addressing. One is the future of the training ground at Ryton and what the long term plans are, either there or for an alternative facility if Ryton is sold for housing development, which is the apparent intention of Sisu. We will continue to ask questions to find out.
The other is where Coventry City Football Club will be playing its matches from season 2019/2020 and beyond.
Our campaign will keep this issue firmly on the agenda and hopefully help to ensure a satisfactory outcome which allows the club to move forward.
Moz Baker
Sky Blue Trust
Chair