Further to recent club updates from Chief Executive Dave Boddy, Coventry City is today providing a further update relating to our young supporters and their families, and community appearances.
The support of our young fans is very important to us, and we know they will be very keen to return to stadiums and watch the Sky Blues play.
Until that is possible, we will be doing all we can to keep them engaged with their Club and their heroes. The following provides an update on some of the areas currently affected by restrictions which affect our young fans:
JSB Memberships
Stand alone Junior Sky Blue Memberships are currently not available, only when purchased as part of a Championship Club Membership.
We hope to make JSB Memberships available once the situation regarding the benefits we can provide to Members who don’t have a Season Ticket as part of the JSB Membership is clearer, and will let supporters know when this is.
There is also significant uncertainty about whether a JSB Party will be possible in its usual Christmas time slot, due to social distancing and restrictions on gatherings due to Coronavirus. If this was the case, we would look to hold the Party later in the season however this will depend on the wider Coronavirus situation at the time.
Championship Club Memberships
We can confirm that Championship Club Memberships who are also JSBs will receive the exclusive Membership shirt, in line with all other Members plus the other benefits of the Membership.
Mascots
Clubs are currently not allowed mascots due to social distancing and requirements of the EFL’s Return to Play protocols to prevent the spread of Coronavirus, especially in areas where players are.
We have currently not been given a timescale for mascots to return.
When mascots are able to return again, we will firstly allocate places to mascots who were affected by the curtailment of the 2019/20 season and the cancellation of those games.
Following that, if places are available to be allocated for remaining games in 2020/21, there will be information on our website.
Sky Blue Sam
Sky Blue Sam will not be in attendance for behind closed doors games, due to restrictions for these games.
Once fans return to stadiums, we hope that Sky Blue Sam will also return – as part of regulations around the return to fans, Sam will not be able have high fives or hugs with supporters and will be required to maintain social distancing for photos and when moving around the stadium. Sam will also not be able to be on the pitch.
Family Zone
Currently, there is no confirmed date for the Family Zone activities to return pre-match.
Normally located in the concourse at St Andrew’s, it is expected that this location will not be initially possible.
Also, due to the activities and the gathering of supporters, it is expected that the Family Zone would not be able to open at all initially.
We continue to liaise regularly with the Family Zone volunteers about ways to enhance the matchday experience for young fans and their families when supporters are able to return, and will continue to evaluate when and how a full return of the Family Zone may be possible.
Keep checking the Family Zone Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for news, giveaways and competitions. The Family Zone have also set up a free to enter Fantasy League and also will continue to run their Man of the Match voting again throughout the season.
Community Appearances
While normally the full Coventry City squad would normally be visiting the community in person each month, currently these types of appearances remain on hold until further notice.
Members of the squad have already made virtual player appearances with specific community groups and supporter groups and will continue to do so.