After each matchday programme, we will be publishing the 'From the Boardroom' article on our website. For Saturday's match against Luton Town, Coventry City Chief Executive Dave Boddy wrote the column and his article is published below:
"Good Evening everybody and welcome to the Ricoh Arena as we welcome our friends from fellow promotion contenders Luton Town and hope that everybody connected with the Club enjoys their visit here. If tonight’s game is anywhere near as good as the game at Kenilworth Road back in October, then we are in for a treat. My abiding memory of our season to date is Jordan Shipley’s stunning free kick which sealed the game for us in stoppage time.
The talk at the back end of last week was all about Carl Baker re-joining the club & Season Tickets going on sale.
It is great to see Carl back at the club and judging by the reaction on social media it is a very popular decision. Carl will be a very useful addition to the squad for the run in to the end of the season and I am sure he will help us towards the ultimate goal of promotion.
The Early Bird Season Tickets were launched last Thursday afternoon and we are happy to be able to freeze the prices for next season’s Early Bird’s. Early Bird prices are obviously the best priced Season Tickets and a reward to loyal supporters who are prepared to make the commitment for next season at this stage of the year. We have deliberately brought Season Ticket sales forward this year in line with a large majority of other EFL Clubs for whom it is the norm to be selling in March, or even earlier.
Last year we went on sale on 11th April, but I had only been in post a couple of months and did not have enough time to effect the change. The Early Bird period closes before the end of the season which again is something that a lot of EFL Clubs do with the likes of Bristol City, Aston Villa, Walsall etc. all closing prior to 5th May. I noted over the weekend that our visitors tonight, Luton Town close their Early Bird best price on 31st March.
The prices have remained the same in order that we can remain competitive on the field for which ever division we are in next season. I am regularly told by supporters that we should follow the Bradford City model of “cheap” Season Tickets, a model which relies heavily on high food and beverage sales and secondary spend at the Stadium. That model can never work for Coventry City at the Ricoh while we don’t own the stadium, as we benefit little from secondary spend.
We have also formed a partnership with Carpeo Estate Planning which will give Season Ticket Holders the benefit of free membership to a discount portal. The scheme, if used effectively, will pay for your Season Ticket and much more. The exclusive membership scheme provides a fantastic range of discounts and offers on leading brands to our members, including Asda, Tesco, Sainsburys, M&S, EE, Sky, Amazon, Thomas Cook and many more, making it one of the best supporter membership schemes in the UK, with the opportunity to save up to £2,000 a year on everyday expenses and lifestyle purchases. The discount portal replaces the free Cup game which was included in this season’s package, but the benefits far out weigh the free game.
We have also got a special Early Bird offer on Executive Boxes with seasonal places available at just £20 a match per person, making the excellent corporate experience affordable. This offer has already proved popular with several new boxes already sold.
Here’s to an entertaining game tonight.
PUSB"
Dave Boddy
Chief Executive
Coventry City Football Club