After each matchday programme, we will be publishing the 'From the Boardroom' article on our website. For Saturday's match against Notts County, Coventry City Chief Executive Dave Boddy wrote the column and his article is published below:
"Good evening and welcome to the last game of the season at the Ricoh Arena as we entertain Notts County in this Skybet League Two Play-off first leg. This last home game of the extended season is a repeat of the first home game and I am sure all Sky Blues fans would like a similar result! This is our first ever appearance in the Play-offs since their inception and there is a real excitement among City fans as the season reaches its climax.
Looking back at the season, at the start the ultimate goal was promotion, but realistically the Play-offs represented our best chance of achieving that. So, to reach the Play-offs represents a good season for the club, after the disappointment of relegation last season, along with the excitement of a memorable FA Cup run in which we reached the 5th round,beating Premier League side Stoke City along the way.
A major part of our success on the field this season has beendown to the support we have received from you thesupporters. We have had so many memorable days, particularly away from home, selling out of our allocation at the vast majority of every League & Cup game. Taking 4,500 to our visitors Notts County and 8,000 to MK Dons are among the highlights, but your support has been truly magnificent and on behalf of everybody at the club, I give you our sincere thanks.
Our End of Season Awards Night was held last Sunday here in the Premier Lounge with nearly 400 people in attendance. On another memorable evening, Marc McNulty swept the board picking up most of the senior awards. Tom Bayliss picked up the Young Player of the Year in his outstanding debut seasonand it was nice to see club stalwarts Gillian Coulson and Lorraine Sliwowski, from our Accounts department, picking up the Michelle Ridley award for long and outstanding service.
A new award on the night was the Leamington & Warwick Supporters Club Player of the Year, which was won by Michael Doyle. This group was formed last summer by Juggy Chima & Paul Howes and has been an amazing success due to their enthusiasm and commitment, which has been backed by the club. Monthly meetings, with players doing Q & A’s and appearances from Mark Robins and our staff, have been received by packed audiences. They have also build an “army” of away travel. They have built a great model and I am keen to develop this approach to other areas. Any supporters that might be interested in the idea of replicating the concept in other areas, please contact me.
On Thursday last week, we broke the great news that we have managed to secure a new five-year agreement for the Academy to remain at the Alan Higgs Centre. This is vital for the security of the future of the Academy and will allow Rich Stevens and his staff to lead this “shining beacon” that the club has, from strength to strength. Our thanks go to Paul Breed at Coventry Sports Foundation for his help and support in making this happen, along with the re-development of the site.
So finally, it remains for me to wish all Sky Blues supporters a good summer and enjoy the play-offs."
PUSB
Dave Boddy