After each matchday programme this season, we publish the regular column from the Coventry City board on our website. You can read Coventry City Chief Executive Dave Boddy's column from our game against Millwall below:
Good evening and welcome to the Coventry Building Society Arena, as we face Millwall in our Sky Bet Championship fixture tonight.
I would also like to welcome the players, staff, officials and supporters who join us from Millwall for the match.
Last week, 12 of our squad went out and about in Coventry meeting supporters and members of the community that we as a Football Club are proud to represent. During the afternoon, players went into primary schools with Sky Blues in the Community, including a Social Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) school. In the evening, two of players visited SBitC’s Kicks project – this project provides activities for 8-19 years olds in priority areas of Coventry, using the power of football and sport to inspire young people in some of the most high-need areas.
The work that Sky Blues in the Community does is fantastic and it is important that our players continue to support their work. The memories and connections created when the squad meet young fans is vital to the Club’s future.
In the evening, Fankaty Dabo and Gustavo Hamer took part in Q&A event at the Sky Blue Tavern. The Tavern is the result of our partnership with Dhillon’s Brewery and is located just outside of the Coventry Ring Road at Junction 7. The Sky Blues themed pub is continuing to grow and become more popular with our supporters and the general public. By supporting the Tavern, you are also supporting your Club and helping us to generate revenue.
The evening itself was a great success. Having sold-out within 24 hours, the night did not disappointment and both players were on great form, signing autographs and posing for photos as well as answering questions with depth and humour. We will be continuing to hold regular ‘meet the players’ events at the Tavern, so please continue to check websites and social media for information.
On Thursday night, Manager Mark Robins and the Club’s new owner Doug King attended the Bedworth and Nuneaton Supporters Club. Again it was a very popular night and gave fans an excellent opportunity to pose their questions. Mark last visited that particular Supporters Club back in October 2019 and there has been a huge amount that has happened since then – both at Coventry City and in the wider world. It has been great to see the Bedworth and Nuneaton Supporters Club, as well as others, grow despite the obvious challenges that have been faced over the last couple of years.
When we first began working with Supporters Clubs in this way back in 2017/18, it was a key part in the way that we were able to rebuild the Club and the relationship between the Football Club, its players and its fans. Alongside the historic Clubs such as the London Supporters Club, which goes back many years, we are now also working with others such as Southam and Rugby which have been founded in the last couple of years.
While there have been challenges still during that time, getting players out in the community and mixing with supporters has helped build the bond that now exists and I have no doubt has also contributed to the atmosphere both at home and away games and to the success that we have achieved.
As the Club has journeyed from League Two in 2017 to the Championship now, the bond between the fans, players and supporters has been crucial. I have no doubt that it will continue to be vital both on and off the pitch in the future, and our work in the community and our players appearances is a very important aspect of that.
I hope you enjoy the game today, thanks for your support. PUSB