After each matchday programme, we publish the 'From the Boardroom' article on our website. For Friday's game against Bradford City, Coventry City Chief Executive Dave Boddy wrote the column and his article is published below:
Due to the Easter programme printing deadlines, this column was written and submitted on the morning on Tuesday 16th April.
"Good afternoon and welcome to today’s game against Bradford City here at the Ricoh Arena.
I would like to welcome the supporters, players, staff and officials who have made the trip to Coventry from Yorkshire for the match this afternoon.
Today’s game kicks off at 1pm. This was a request from Wasps/the Ricoh Arena back in February to enable them to host the European Cup Semi-Final tomorrow afternoon. We were glad to have been able to support them in this, and thank Bradford City and the EFL for their co-operation.
Last week’s game against Sunderland was one of the most exciting and incredible that I have had the pleasure to watch. It was a terrific performance by us and a result that showed the strides forward that we have taken this season.
I would like to thank the fans who travelled up to Sunderland to back the team in such great number and were vocal in their support throughout. There were reports of trouble before, during and after the game at the Stadium of Light. It must be said, that any incidents involved a small number of fans, however we will investigate them fully with West Midlands Police, Northumbria Police and Sunderland, and take appropriate action.
Earlier this season, there was trouble at the reverse fixture, and we were required to board up the Memorial Garden and Jimmy Hill Statue as precautions. That is no excuse for the incidents on Saturday, but shows that there is increased tension from both sides in this fixture. I would urge both sets of fans at any future to show restraint and respect for each other in any future fixtures between the two sides, and ensure a safe, enjoyable and welcoming environment for all supporters.
Last week, we provided an update to the EFL regarding the stadium situation for next season and provided the same update to fans via our website.
The Football Club confirmed to the EFL that it is close to the Head of Terms stage with two groundshare options.
While it remains our number one priority to stay, we can confirm that unfortunately the Ricoh Arena is not one of the venues above. At this stage, Wasps continue to choose not to enter into talks with the Football Club while our Owners SISU continue legal action with Coventry City Council.
We therefore have had to make alternative plans to the Ricoh Arena, the stadium that was built for us, to ensure our place in the EFL next season. To be clear, to play away from the Ricoh Arena next season is not what I would want or the Club would want at all.
Ideally, we play at the Ricoh Arena next season. We know that this is the stadium built for us, and that it is the best solution for everyone involved.
If that is not possible, we want to play as close to our home as possible. We know that the Club needs to survive and fulfil its fixtures, and we want as little inconvenience as possible in this scenario for our fans.
Next week sees a vote take place of EFL Clubs about our place in the league. There would need to be a 75% majority for us to be excluded from the league.
In all of the events of the coming weeks, we will aim to keep supporters as updated on the situation as we are able to. However, many of the discussions currently are confidential by their nature.
This is not an easy situation, and we apologise to supporters that it has reached this stage and for the heartache which has been caused.
While the legal action is taken in the Club’s name, myself and the Club’s management team cannot affect the stances of Coventry City Council, Wasps or of our Owners in this situation – what we can do is put in plans to ensure this great Football Club continues to survive despite the impasse that exists, and that is what we have to do at this stage."
Dave Boddy
Chief Executive
Coventry City Football Club