After each matchday programme, we will be publishing the 'From the Boardroom' article on our website. For Saturday's game against Wycombe Wanderers, Coventry City Chairman Tim Fisher wrote the column and his article is published below:
"Good afternoon and welcome to this afternoon match against Wycombe Wanderers at the Ricoh Arena in SkyBet League One.
Welcome also to the fans, players, staff and officials who join us from Wycombe for this afternoon’s game.
This afternoon, we will be looking to follow up last week’s impressive win at Charlton with another three points. The support from Sky Blues fans at The Valley was absolutely fantastic, and you could see how the singing and encouragement from the away end really helped to spur the team on and I you played a big part in that win. The support up and down the country is always impressive, and I would like to thank the fans that put in many miles in support of the club.
I last wrote this programme column ahead of the Sunderland match. On that day, we were joined by representatives from ‘Coventry and Warwickshire Mind’, ‘The Recovery and Wellbeing Academy’, ‘The Heera Foundation’, ‘The Matt Palmer Trust’ and ‘It Takes Balls To Talk’. These organisations worked together to raise mental health awareness before, during and after the match, and we ourselves and Sky Blues in the Community were delighted with how the day went. From volunteers around the concourse, to information in the programme and on the scoreboard, to players warming up in special t-shirts, it was a great day.
Of course, it was World Mental Health Day on Wednesday 10th October, which has tied in nicely with the awareness events that took place against Sunderland.
If we as a club and as a community trust have helped one person that day, then we have made a real difference.
Ahead of that game, I also gave an interview on Sky Sports where I spoke about the club’s desire to stay at the Ricoh Arena. We plan to give a full update shortly, which may have already been published by the time you read these programme notes, which will make clear the club’s position on this matter to our supporters and stakeholders in the community. *
The Jimmy Hill Legacy Fund recently distributed its first grants to local community projects, details of which you can see in their pages in this programme. The Legacy Fund was set up following the death of Jimmy Hill, to provide a fitting tribute in his memory, supporting a number of causes that were close to his heart. It is run by Sky Blues in the Community, with the support of the Club and also of an independent Legacy Fund committee who give up their time for free. On behalf of the Club and SBitC, I would like to thank Terry Angus, Joe Elliott, Dave Long and Alan Shaw for their continued work on the committee.
We look forward to supporting the fundraising further, and for the Legacy Fund to continue to grow and support various projects and causes for many years to come.
The last few weeks have been exciting for everyone who cares about the Academy, and the players in it. We have seen Jordan Shipley called up for the first time for the Ireland Under 21s squad, while former player George Thomas has received a call-up for the Wales squad.
Meanwhile, James Maddison has been called up for the England squad for the first time. It is a great moment for James and his family, and everyone connected with the Academy and we wish him all the best in what we hope is a long and successful international career. His first England cap will make him the first Coventry born England cap since Reg Matthews in 1956 – which would be a great achievement for James and for this City.
To see players go on to receive representative honours for their respective countries is a huge boost to the Academy, and provides vital inspiration for the players currently there as well as for future players. As we have said before, there is a clear pathway for players to develop and get opportunities here at Coventry City, and that is a real asset for the club."
Tim Fisher
Chairman
Coventry City Football Club
* This programme was printed on Thursday morning prior to the Club Statement of that evening - this can be seen here.