Coventry City’s home for next season is looking increasingly uncertain. The Sky Blues are looking unlikely to be playing at the Ricoh Arena next season do to problems with their landlords.
A ground-share with Birmingham City at St Andrew’s looks set to be on the cards. Ryan John, Chair at the Preservation Sky Blues Group spoke to Last Word on Football about the uncertain period ahead for the club.
The Uncertain Future of Coventry City’s Home
Beginning of the End for Coventry City?
During the 2013/14 season, Coventry ground-shared with Northampton Town at Sixfields. Located 60 miles from the Ricoh Arena, attendances were pushing barely 2,000 as the Sky Blues boycotted home games as a protest.
Talks of the club going into a ground share with Birmingham City next season leave many supporters naturally concerned.
“I feared for the club’s future last time, but never in my worst nightmare of nightmares did I envisage us entering a second ground share in my lifetime,” said Ryan John.
The prospect of time at another stadium could be devastating, John said: “One ground share is unthinkable, two is suicidal. I really feel this will be the beginning of the end for Coventry City Football Club and we will be wound up and liquidated as a result of this ground share.”
More Boycotting on the Horizon?
During their ground share with Northampton, many City supporters stayed away. This could be a case of history repeating itself once more.
“This time around we have seen many of these fans that went to Sixfields say that this is now a step too far,” said John.
There is also the potential for fans to stop attending away games as well. The prospect of the strong-travelling Sky Blues faithful lowering in numbers is a worrying and demoralising thought.
“Even worse than last time a big number of fans have now said they won’t even attend away games.”
“They’ve simply had enough” – City Supporters Fed Up
It does not take a genius to understand that Coventry City fans are fed up. Despite success on the pitch being joyous, it is the battle off the pitch that is boiling over in frustration.
“The feeling amongst supporters is they’ve simply had enough now.” John then added: “All sides blame each other.”
Despite their supporters gaining praise from the national media, players and even opposition fans, it is not enough. An element of their frustration is towards key authority figures.
“They are massively taken for granted and completely ignored by the club’s owners and let down by their own city council and by the FA and EFL too.”
What’s Next for the Club? – “No one knows…”
Typically, many want to know what is next for the club, but their future does not have a clear sight. If anything, it is as unclear as it could be.
If the Sky Blues future is at St Andrew’s next season then it will likely affect the club. A variety of factors will be affected: “This will affect attendances, playing budgets, player targets and the existence of Coventry City Football Club.”
“What is next for Coventry City? That’s the scary thing, no one knows. We look as good as doomed.”
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