The lifelong City fan believes that the actions of the club this summer were a part of the decision for Allsopp & Allsopp to renew their sponsorship...
A three-year-old Carl Allsopp poses proudly in the blue-and-white-striped Coventry City shirt that brought the club its finest moment.
Fast forward 28 years and his company logo now adorns the front of the new home strip which is a throwback to the kit that the Sky Blues wore when they defeated Tottenham 3-2 to lift the FA Cup
in 1987.
“I don’t remember anything about the cup final,” says Carl, who – with brother, Lewis – runs property agency Allsopp & Allsopp which has offices in Dubai, Coventry and now Leamington. “It’s a shame because it’s obviously such a big moment for the club.
“I was actually at Butlins with my family when we won the cup and my first real memory of football was the World Cup in 1990.
“But that shirt has always been special and I am so proud and delighted to be sponsoring the new home kit, which looks back at that great time but also looks forward as the club makes a fresh new start.
"With sponsoring the shirt, I just think the past is the past, but actions speak louder than words for me. The club have been all positive this summer, with season tickets, the PR is consistently positive and the appointment of Tony Mowbray speaks volumes. He wouldn’t have signed if he didn’t feel the club was moving forward, they've taken steps in the right direction.
Allsopp has played his own part in the kit launch too. He posed for photos with first team stars Jim O’Brien, Jordan Willis, James Maddison and Lee Burge and then returned to his old secondary school – Caludon Castle – to give away the first new kit to one lucky pupil.
“It’s been great to be part of it,” he said. “As well as being the sponsor, I am just a massive fan of the club so this has been really exciting.
“Going back to school was great and James Maddison was a great ambassador for the club and a real credit to Coventry City.
“We are all looking forward to a great season on the back of a really positive summer so far.”
The new kit will arrive at the new store at Arena Park on Friday (July 3) but is already available to order online at http://ccfc.clubstore.co.uk where supporters can also view and order the stylish new leisure and training wear.
The new home shirt is priced at £44 for adults, £38 for youths and £36 for juniors with the shirt also available in long sleeve at £47 for adults, £39 for youths and £37 for juniors.
The shorts are priced at £20 for adults, £17.50 for youths and £16.75 for juniors and socks are priced at £8.50.