After each matchday programme, we will be publishing the 'From the Boardroom' article on our website. For Saturday's match against Stoke City, Coventry City Chairman Tim Fisher wrote the column and his article is published below:
Good afternoon and welcome to today’s game against Stoke City in the Emirates FA Cup.
I hope that you had an enjoyable Christmas and New Year, and wish all supporters the best for 2018.
I would also like to an extend a warm welcome to our visitors from Stoke today, who have travelled in large number for what will be a great occasion.
The FA Cup is a fantastic tournament that holds a very special place in the hearts of all Coventry City fans and the wider community after the club’s triumph in 1987. Today’s game provides us the opportunity to test ourselves against a team from the Premier League and potentially cause a cup upset. It is also the first time that we have hosted a Premier League side here at the Ricoh Arena since 2010 when we faced Chelsea in the Quarter Final of this competition. I have no doubt that you will all get behind the team as you always do.
The Christmas and New Year period is always busy in football, and this one has felt busier than most due to the way that fixtures have fallen for clubs. To pick up nine points out of twelve is an excellent achievement for the players and coaching staff. After an overnight stay at Carlisle on Friday night a 1-0 win at Brunton Park was followed by the long trip back on Saturday, a recovery session at Ryton on Sunday and then a 1-0 win back at the Ricoh Arena against Chesterfield on Monday. Quite a weekend and one I’m sure you all enjoyed watching.
The results meant we now move up to third in the League Two table and into the automatic promotion places - a real boost for us all as we approach the final months of the season. The support of fans at the Ricoh and up and down the country is a vital part of this push for promotion. To get your seat for the final home games for the cheapest possible price ‘half season tickets’ are still available. A great way to make sure you do not miss out what will be an exciting conclusion to the season.
We now enter the January transfer window, and the Manager and the Recruitment team are already working hard to ensure we make the most of this period. Due to the number of long-term injuries, the aim is to recruit players who can help the push for the remainder of the campaign. As mentioned previously, the club is continuing to work on other issues including the long-term agreement for the Academy to stay at the Alan Higgs Centre and also settling where we will be playing next season. It is important to the club that we share confirmed information with our supporters and hope to bring you positive news very soon.
The Junior Sky Blues Party took place on Thursday afternoon and, once again was a fantastic event. The first team attended and I’m sure it was a memorable time for all the youngsters who went and are the future of this club. Much credit must go to those involved in organising the party, and sincere thanks to all of the fans and volunteers who helped too.
With the team working hard to realise a positive start to the year, we must all continue to get behind the team and support our players and the club as we aim for a successful second half of the season.