Coventry City F.C.

Coventry City
Full name Coventry City Football Club
Nickname(s) The Sky Blues
Founded 13 August 1883 (1883-08-13)
(as Singers F.C.)[1]
Ground Ricoh Arena
Ground Capacity 32,609
Owner Otium Entertainment Group
Chairman Tim Fisher
Manager Tony Mowbray
League League One
2014–15 League One, 17th
Website Club home page

Coventry City F.C. is an English association football club based in Coventry in the West Midlands. The team competes in League One, the third tier of the English football league system.

Coventry City, which was formed as Singers F.C. in 1883, joined the Football League in 1919. They won their only major trophy in 1987 when they beat Tottenham Hotspur 3–2 to win the FA Cup in a match listed by the FA as one of the twelve classic FA Cup Finals.[2] They are one of only five clubs to have ever won the FA Cup and FA Youth Cup 'double' in the same season and they also reached two Football League Cup semi-finals, in 1981 and 1990.

The club, which is nicknamed the Sky Blues owing to the colour of their strip, was an inaugural member of the Premier League in 1992 and had spent 34 consecutive seasons (since 1967) in the English top flight prior to their relegation in 2001. Following eleven seasons in the second-tier Football League Championship without any significant success, Coventry were relegated to Football League One in 2012, the first time in 48 years that the club played in the English league system's third tier.

Coventry has only qualified for European competition once, during the 1970–71 season, when they competed in the European Fairs Cup (now the UEFA Europa League), reaching the second round. Despite beating Bayern Munich 2–1 in their home leg, they had lost 1–6 in the first leg in Munich to go out of the competition. They were unable to compete in the 1987–88 UEFA Cup Winner's Cup due to the ban on English clubs at that time.

From 1899 to 2005, Coventry City played at the Highfield Road stadium. In 1981 it became the first all-seater stadium in English football, though by the late-1990s the club's directors decided it was time to construct a larger stadium and chose a site in the Rowley's Green area of the city. The 32,609-capacity Ricoh Arena was opened in August 2005, but following a rent dispute with the ground's owners the club opted to play their home games at Northampton Town's Sixfields Stadium starting in the 2013–14 season. A return to the Ricoh Arena was announced on 21 August 2014 by the club after a one-year absence.

History in brief

Chart of historic table positions of Coventry City in the Football League.
Coventry City playing against Oxford United at Highfield Road on 13 February 1982

Playing kit

Colours

Coventry's home shirts are either completely or predominately sky blue. However, in past seasons, different 'home colours' were worn. For example, in 1889, the then Singers FC wore pink and blue halved shirts (mirroring the corporate colours of Singers Motors). Furthermore, in the 1890s, black and red were the club's colours. In the early 1920s, the club wore red and green (to reflect the colours of the city crest). Sky blue was first used by Coventry in 1898 and the theme was used until 1922. Variations of blue and white were then used until the 1960s and the beginning of the 'sky blue revolution'. The colour made its return in 1962 thanks to the then manager, Jimmy Hill. To mark the 125th year of the club, Coventry wore a special brown shirt in the last home game of the 2008–09 season against Watford, having first worn a chocolate brown away kit in 1978. This kit has been cited by some as the worst in English football history, but also has an iconic status with some fans.[12]

In 2012, in the Third round FA Cup tie versus Southampton, the team wore a commemorative blue and white striped kit, marking the 25th anniversary of the club winning the FA Cup in 1987.[13] The strip was worn again in January 2013 for Coventry's 3rd round FA Cup fixture with Tottenham Hotspur, whom they beat in the 1987 final.[14]

Kit maker and sponsorship

As of the 2015–16 season, the kit is made by Nike (via Just Sport Group – Nike's official affiliate). The home kit is sponsored by Allsopp & Allsopp.

The first official kit manufacture deal came in 1974, when Umbro signed a deal with the club. Coventry also had the first kit sponsorship deal in the football league, when Jimmy Hill, then Chairman of the club, negotiated a deal with Talbot, who manufactured cars in the city.

Period Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor
1974–75 Umbro None
1975–80 Admiral Sportswear
1980–81 Talbot
1981–83 Talbot Sports
1983–84 Umbro Tallon
1984–85 Glazepta
1985–86 Elliots
1986–87 Triple S Sport Granada Bingo
1987–88 Hummel International
1988–89 None
1989–92 Asics Peugeot
1992–94 Ribero
1994–96 Pony International
1996–97 Le Coq Sportif
1997–99 Subaru
1999–2004 no official manufacturer
2004–05 Kit@
2005–06 Cassidy Group
2006–10 Puma
2010–13 City Link
2013–14 Grace Medical Fund (charity partner)
2014–15 Allsopp & Allsopp
2015– Nike

Stadium

Main articles: Highfield Road and Ricoh Arena

Grounds

Ricoh Arena, Coventry's stadium between 2005 and 2013, and since 2014

106 years at Highfield Road

Coventry City played at Highfield Road between 1899 and 2005

Coventry City began playing at the Highfield Road stadium in 1899 within the Hillfields district of the city, although the club did not buy the freehold to the site until 1937. The ground had an interesting history. In 1940 the main stand which backed onto terraced houses in Mowbray Street was bombed by the Luftwaffe, heavy turnstiles from the ground and gas meters from houses in Mowbray Street were discovered in Gosford Park, some 500 metres away.

The record crowd at the ground was on 29 April 1967 when 51,455 watched the Second Division title decider against Wolverhampton Wanderers. This was more than 6,000 more than the previous record set against Aston Villa in 1938. Many people who were at that game suggest the attendance was a lot higher, possibly over 60,000. Supporters climbed onto the roofs of the stands and up the floodlights.

In 1968, the main stand burnt down and its replacement was built within four months.

In 1981, Highfield Road was converted into England's first ever all-seater stadium with a capacity of around 24,500, which many criticised as killing the atmosphere of the ground. Some seats were removed a few years later.[15] It had been gradually upgraded since then, with the final phase of work being completed in the mid-1990s, including two fully enclosed corners, providing some much-needed modernity. On 30 April 2005, the final game played at the stadium was against Midlands rivals Derby County; Coventry won with a scintillating 6–2 scoreline.[16] The stadium was subsequently demolished and replaced by a housing development.

Relocating to the Ricoh Arena

For the 2005–06 season, Coventry City moved to the new 32,609-capacity Ricoh Arena after 106 years at Highfield Road.[1][17] In 1998, the club had decided that it was time to relocate to a new stadium in the Rowleys Green area of the city, three-and-a-half miles north of the city centre and close to junction 3 of the M6 motorway. The original plan was for a state-of-the-art, 45,000-seater multipurpose stadium with removable pitch and retractable roof. It was due to be ready for the 2001–02 season and was touted to be one of the finest and most advanced stadiums in Europe. However, the club's subsequent relegation, financial problems, financier/contractor withdrawals and England's failure to secure the 2006 World Cup competition led to a radical redesign. The resulting stadium was built to a standard bowl design with steep stands, in line with several other new stadia built during that period, though it has excellent acoustics and has been used to host several major rock concerts.

Despite initiating the project and being the principal attraction there, Coventry City's financial situation means that they no longer own the stadium and must pay rent to use it; this could appear to raise concerns over the managing of the club's finances by previous club officials, as in 2001 the club were the fourth-longest serving club in the top flight of English football. The stadium naming rights were originally sold to Jaguar Cars, which has strong links with Coventry. Jaguar pulled out of the project on 16 December 2004 and a new major sponsor was needed. A £10 million deal, which included naming rights, was signed and electronics manufacturer Ricoh became the new chief sponsor for the stadium. The project was funded largely by Coventry City Council and the (Alan Edward) Higgs Charity (of which former CCFC and ACL director the late Sir Derek Higgs was a trustee), and includes shopping facilities, a casino, exhibition halls and a concert venue.

At the beginning of the 2005–06 season, construction delays at the ground forced Coventry City to play their first three games of the season away and postpone their home games. On Saturday 20 August 2005, City hosted Queens Park Rangers in the first-ever game at the Ricoh Arena; Coventry won the game 3–0. On 28 July 2011, a statue of Jimmy Hill was installed at the main entrance to the Ricoh Arena, with Hill appearing in person to unveil it.[18]

2013 rent row and ground relocation

Rent disputes caused Coventry City to play the 2013–14 season at Sixfields Stadium in Northampton

On 3 May 2013, Coventry City put a contingency plan in place to play elsewhere for the 2013–14 season. It was argued by the club that this was due to ACL (Arena Coventry Limited), who manage the stadium, being unwilling to negotiate with the club to agree a new lease. However, this led to the local newspaper, the Coventry Telegraph, starting a petition in order to try stopping Coventry City from playing outside of Coventry. It was sent to all 72 clubs in the Football League and also the Football League chairman. In May 2013, managing director Tim Fisher set a plan of building a new stadium within the city over the next three years and ground-sharing whilst the new ground is being built.[19] In June 2013, ACL made an offer that Coventry City F.C. could play at the Ricoh Arena rent free while the club was in administration.[20]

It was believed that Coventry City might ground-share with Walsall at the Bescot Stadium or attempt to stay at the Ricoh Arena,[21] following the appointment of new owners.[22] However, by July 2013, the Walsall rumours were denied and the club groundshared at Northampton Town's Sixfields Stadium – a ground that has less than one quarter the capacity of the Ricoh Arena and a round-trip of 70 miles. This was due to continue until at least 2016.[23][24] Plans for the club to play their home matches outside of the city were met with strong opposition and protests by Coventry fans.[25] Member of parliament for Coventry South, Jim Cunningham, described the move as "a disgrace".[26]

Ricoh return

On 21 August 2014 it was announced an agreement had been reached allowing the club to return to the Ricoh Arena for the next two years with the option of another two years.[27] Coventry City's first home game at the Ricoh Arena was played against Gillingham on 5 September 2014. Steve Waggott, who led the negotiations for the club said "We are delighted to get this deal done and I am sure every supporter of Coventry City will be thrilled with the news".[11] City won their first match back at the Ricoh Arena 1–0 with Frank Nouble scoring the only goal of the match in front of 27,306 supporters.

The return followed a social media campaign entitled #bringCityhome by the Coventry Telegraph [28] and a protest march by the Sky Blue Trust supporters' group.[29] The campaign drew praise from national media and figures within the football world. It was shortlisted at The Press Gazette British Journalism Awards 2014 in the Campaign of the Year category.[30]

It has been reported that there will be a relocation to another site within the city, as the tenancy with Ricoh Arena expires in August 2016.[31]

Supporters

Former Players' Association

In February 2007 a Former Players' Association was launched. Set up by club historian and statistician Jim Brown, former 1980s player Kirk Stephens and a committee of volunteers, its aim was to bring former players of the club together and cherish their memories. To qualify for membership players have to have made at least one first team competitive appearance for the club or been a manager.

Around 50 former stars of the club attended the launch including Coventry City legends George Hudson, Cyrille Regis, Charlie Timmins and Bill Glazier. The association's first newsletter was published in autumn 2007 and a website launched. The launch of 2007 was followed by subsequent Legends' Days. The 2009 event, held at the home game against Doncaster Rovers was attended by 43 former players including the first visit to Coventry for many years of Roy Barry and Dave Clements. In March 2012 the membership had increased past the 200 mark with former captain Terry Yorath inducted as the 200th member at the 2012 Legends' Day.

Sky Blue Trust

The Sky Blue Trust is a supporters' trust for Coventry City F.C.; it was originally founded in 2003 as part of a national initiative under the auspices of the umbrella group, Supporters Direct. The Sky Blue Trust, like trusts at other clubs, is a legally based, independent, democratic supporters' group with membership open to all. One of the Sky Blue Trust's greatest achievements was raising funds to save the football club's Youth Academy which was threatened with closure. By 2009/2010, however, the trust had become moribund.[32] Given the ongoing financial uncertainty at Coventry City, the trust was re-launched in the summer of 2012.[32][33] A new board for the trust was elected and from having less than 20 members the trust grew to over 700 within three months,TV pundit John McCririck is a well known member of the trust. The key aim of the Sky Blue Trust is to obtain a financial stake in Coventry City F.C. and have at least one democratically elected trust member on the club's board, meaning that supporters have a direct say in the running of the club.[34][35][36]

'SISU Out' protesters

In August 2011, after Coventry City fans became tired of cost-cutting by SISU, Coventry fans started to protest for the removal of SISU. Protests took place at the Jimmy Hill Statue at the Ricoh Arena before games but limited numbers turned out. However, after these games the number of protesters grew and so did the number of banners. After protesting near the rear entrance, the fans moved into the lobby and start chanting "SISU OUT" at which point a large number of "security response guards" moved in to remove the protesters.[37]

Sky Blue anthem

The words to the club's song were written in 1962 by Team Manager Jimmy Hill and Director John Camkin; The words being set to the tune of the Eton Boating Song.[38] It was launched at the home game with Colchester on 22 December 1962 (a match abandoned at half-time because of fog) with the words printed in the programme.[38] It quickly became popular with supporters during the epic FA Cup run in 1963 when the then Third Division team reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup before losing to eventual winners Manchester United:

Original Words:
Let's all sing together
Play up, Sky Blues
While we sing together
They will never lose
Proud Posh or Cobblers
Oysters or anyone
They shan't defeat them
They'll fight 'til the game is won!
City! City! City!

Current Words:

Let's all sing together
Play up, Sky Blues
While we sing together
We will never lose
Tottenham or Chelsea
United or anyone
They shan't defeat us
We'll fight 'til the game is won!
City! City! City!

Rivalries

As of 2012, Coventry fans consider Leicester City, with whom they contest the M69 derby to be their main rivals. Aston Villa are the club's traditional rivals but in recent years this has become somewhat one-sided rivalry as the latter have several stronger local rivalries. A lesser rivalry also exists with Birmingham City.[39] In the 1960s & early 1970s Wolves were the biggest local rivalries & the teams had some classic games during that era, including the 1967 game at Highfield Road when 51,452 watched a 3–1 Coventry win which ultimately would mean the Sky Blues pipped Wolves for the Second Division title.

Current players

First team squad

As of 6 May 2016.

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
1 England GK Lee Burge
2 England DF Jordan Willis
3 England DF Chris Stokes
4 France MF Romain Vincelot
5 Benin DF Réda Johnson
6 England MF Conor Thomas
7 Scotland MF John Fleck
8 Portugal MF Rúben Lameiras
9 England FW Adam Armstrong (on loan from Newcastle United)
10 England MF James Maddison (on loan from Norwich City)
12 Sweden DF Martin Lorentzson
13 Bulgaria MF Vladimir Gadzhev
15 England DF Jack Stephens (on loan from Southampton)
16 England MF Andy Rose
17 England DF Aaron Phillips
18 Wales DF Sam Ricketts (captain)
19 Burundi MF Gaël Bigirimana (on loan from Newcastle United)
20 England FW Marcus Tudgay
No. Position Player
21 England DF Aaron Martin
23 England GK Reice Charles-Cook
24 England MF Ivor Lawton
25 England FW Jacob Murphy (on loan from Norwich City)
27 Wales FW George Thomas
29 Wales DF Cian Harries
30 England DF Dion Kelly-Evans
31 England MF Ben Stevenson
32 France FW Marc-Antoine Fortuné
34 Germany FW Bassala Sambou
42 Republic of Ireland MF Stephen Hunt
43 Ghana GK Corey Addai
44 England FW Darius Henderson
45 England MF Jodi Jones (on loan from Dagenham & Redbridge)
— England MF Jack Finch
— England MF Devon Kelly-Evans
— England MF Bilal Sayoud
— Scotland MF Kyle Spence

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
11 Scotland MF Jim O'Brien (at Scunthorpe United until end of season)
22 England DF Peter Ramage (at Leyton Orient until 14 April 2016)
26 England DF Ryan Haynes (at Cambridge United until end of season)

Academy squad

As of 1 July 2015.

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
— Poland GK Konrad Skuza
— England DF Chris Camwell
— England DF Reece Ford
— England DF Jak Hickman
— Republic of Ireland DF Darragh Leahy
— England DF Jordan Thompson
— England DF Jacob Whitmore
— England MF Jay Albini
No. Position Player
— England MF Tom Bayless
— England MF Kyle Finn
— England MF Ronee Hendricks
— England MF Dagry Mantsounga
— England MF Callum Maycock
— England MF Jordan Shipley
— England FW Dan Smith

Backroom staff and club officials

Name Position
England Tony Mowbray Manager
England Mark Venus Technical Director
England Jamie Clapham First Team Coach
England Steve Ogrizovic Goalkeeping Coach
England Pete Tierney Sports Scientist
England Dave Hart Physiotherapist
Scotland Pauline Robertson Assistant Physiotherapist
England Paul Travis Performance Analyst
England Richard Stevens Academy Manager
Scotland Lee Glover Under 21s Coach
England Jason Farndon Under 18s Coach
England Ray Gooding Scout (Midlands Region)
Name Position
England Tim Fisher Chairman
Germany Chris Anderson Executive Vice-Chairman
Managing Director
England George Curtis Life President
England John Sillett Life President
England Pam Hindson Club Secretary

Seasons, awards and honours

Season Review & Statistics Level Pos. Player of the Year Top Goalscorer Most Appearances Other
1958–1959 season 4 2nd (24) England Ray Straw 30 England Roy Kirk 48 Football League Fourth Division Runners-up
1959–1960 season 3 5th (24) England Ray Straw 21 South Africa Arthur Lightening 48 Southern Professional Floodlit Cup Winners
1960–1961 season 3 15th (24) England Ray Straw 20 England George Curtis 51
1961–1962 season 3 14th (24) England Mike Dixon 12 England George Curtis 49
1962–1963 season 3 4th (24) England Terry Bly 29 England George Curtis 56
1963–1964 season 3 1st (24) England George Hudson 28 England George Curtis 50 Football League Third Division Champions
1964–1965 season 2 10th (22) England George Hudson 24 Wales Ronnie Rees 46
1965–1966 season 2 3rd (22) England George Hudson 17 England George Curtis 50
1966–1967 season 2 1st (22) England Bobby Gould 25 England George Curtis 46 Football League Second Division Champions
1967–1968 season 1 20th (22) England Ernie Machin Wales Ronnie Rees 9 England Ernie Machin 44 FA Youth Cup Runners-up
1968–1969 season 1 20th (22) England Bill Glazier England Ernie Hunt 13 England Bill Glazier 49
1969–1970 season 1 6th (22) Scotland Neil Martin Scotland Neil Martin 15 England Mick Coop 44 FA Youth Cup Runners-up
1970–1971 season 1 10th (22) Scotland Willie Carr England Ernie Hunt 12 England Jeff Blockley 48 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup Second round
1971–1972 season 1 18th (22) England Ernie Hunt England Ernie Hunt 12 Scotland Willie Carr 45 Texaco Cup Second round
1972–1973 season 1 19th (22) Scotland Willie Carr Scotland Brian Alderson 17 England Mick Coop 48 Texaco Cup First round
1973–1974 season 1 16th (22) England Bill Glazier Scotland Brian Alderson 15 Republic of Ireland Jimmy Holmes 53 Texaco Cup First round
1974–1975 season 1 14th (22) England Graham Oakey England David Cross 8 Scotland Tommy Hutchison 46
1975–1976 season 1 14th (22) Scotland Tommy Hutchison England David Cross 16 England Mick Coop 47
1976–1977 season 1 19th (22) Scotland Jim Blyth England Mick Ferguson 15 England John Beck 45
1977–1978 season 1 7th (22) Scotland Ian Wallace Scotland Ian Wallace 23 Scotland Bobby McDonald 47
1978–1979 season 1 10th (22) Scotland Bobby McDonald Scotland Ian Wallace 15 Scotland Tommy Hutchison 45
1979–1980 season 1 15th (22) Scotland Gary Gillespie Scotland Ian Wallace 13 Scotland Tommy Hutchison 45
1980–1981 season 1 16th (22) England Danny Thomas England Garry Thompson 15 England Paul Dyson 54 Football League Cup Semi-finalists
1981–1982 season 1 14th (22) England Danny Thomas England Mark Hateley 18 Scotland Gary Gillespie 46 PFA Merit Award: England Joe Mercer
1982–1983 season 1 19th (22) Scotland Gary Gillespie England Steve Whitton 14 Scotland Gary Gillespie 48 PFA Team of the Year: England Danny Thomas
1983–1984 season 1 19th (22) England Nick Platnauer England Terry Gibson 19 England Trevor Peake 40
1984–1985 season 1 18th (22) England Terry Gibson England Terry Gibson 19 England Steve Ogrizovic 46
1985–1986 season 1 17th (22) England Trevor Peake England Terry Gibson 13 England Steve Ogrizovic 47
1986–1987 season 1 10th (22) England Steve Ogrizovic England Cyrille Regis 16 England Steve Ogrizovic 53 FA Cup Winners: 1987 FA Cup Final; FA Youth Cup Winners
1987–1988 season 1 10th (21) Scotland David Speedie England Cyrille Regis 12 England Brian Borrows 45 Charity Shield Runners-up; Full Members Cup Semi-finalists
1988–1989 season 1 7th (20) Scotland David Speedie Scotland David Speedie 15 England Brian Borrows 42
1989–1990 season 1 12th (20) England Brian Borrows Scotland David Speedie 9 England David Smith 46 Football League Cup Semi-finalists
1990–1991 season 1 16th (20) Scotland Kevin Gallacher Scotland Kevin Gallacher 16 England Brian Borrows 47 PFA Merit Award: Scotland Tommy Hutchison
1991–1992 season 1 19th (22) England Stewart Robson Scotland Kevin Gallacher 10 England Lloyd McGrath 44
1992–1993 season 1 15th (22) England Peter Atherton England Micky Quinn 17 England Peter Atherton 42
1993–1994 season 1 11th (22) Republic of Ireland Phil Babb Zimbabwe Peter Ndlovu 11 Republic of Ireland Phil Babb 44
1994–1995 season 1 16th (22) England Brian Borrows England Dion Dublin 16 England Steve Ogrizovic 40 PFA Merit Award: Scotland Gordon Strachan
1995–1996 season 1 16th (20) England Paul Williams England Dion Dublin 16 England John Salako 40
1996–1997 season 1 17th (20) England Dion Dublin England Dion Dublin 13 England Steve Ogrizovic 46
1997–1998 season 1 11th (20) England Dion Dublin England Dion Dublin 23 England Dion Dublin 43 PFA Merit Award: England Steve Ogrizovic
1998–1999 season 1 15th (20) England Richard Shaw England Noel Whelan 13 Sweden Magnus Hedman 42 FA Youth Cup Runners-up
1999–2000 season 1 14th (20) Scotland Gary McAllister Scotland Gary McAllister 13 Scotland Gary McAllister 43 FA Youth Cup Runners-up
2000–2001 season 1 19th (20) Republic of Ireland Gary Breen Wales Craig Bellamy 8 Wales Craig Bellamy 38 PFA Merit Award: England Jimmy Hill
2001–2002 season 2 11th (24) Scotland Gary McAllister England Lee Hughes 15 England David Thompson 45
2002–2003 season 2 20th (24) Bosnia and Herzegovina Muhamed Konjić England Jay Bothroyd 11 Bosnia and Herzegovina Muhamed Konjić 48
2003–2004 season 2 12th (24) England Stephen Warnock England Gary McSheffrey 12 England Stephen Warnock 46 FWA Tribute Award: England Jimmy Hill
2004–2005 season 2 19th (24) Republic of Ireland Michael Doyle England Gary McSheffrey 14 Republic of Ireland Michael Doyle 48
2005–2006 season 2 8th (24) England Gary McSheffrey England Gary McSheffrey 17 Republic of Ireland Michael Doyle 49
2006–2007 season 2 17th (24) England Andy Marshall Nigeria Dele Adebola 9 England Andy Marshall 42 Birmingham Senior Cup Winners
2007–2008 season 2 21st (24) Republic of Ireland Jay Tabb Malta Michael Mifsud 17 Republic of Ireland Jay Tabb 49
2008–2009 season 2 17th (24) Iceland Aron Gunnarsson Republic of Ireland Clinton Morrison 12 Republic of Ireland Keiren Westwood 49 PFA Team of the Year: England Danny Fox, Republic of Ireland Keiren Westwood
2009–2010 season 2 19th (24) Republic of Ireland Keiren Westwood Republic of Ireland Clinton Morrison 11 Republic of Ireland Keiren Westwood 46
2010–2011 season 2 18th (24) Jamaica Marlon King Jamaica Marlon King 13 Republic of Ireland Richard Keogh 48 FL Fan of the Year: England Kevin Monks
2011–2012 season 2 23rd (24) Republic of Ireland Richard Keogh England Lukas Jutkiewicz 9 Republic of Ireland Joe Murphy 47 Championship Apprentice Award: Burundi Gaël Bigirimana
2012–2013 season 3 15th (24) † England Carl Baker England David McGoldrick 18 Republic of Ireland Joe Murphy 56 FLT Northern area finalists; FL Fan of the Year: England Pat Raybould;
PFA Team of the Year: England Leon Clarke
2013–2014 season 3 18th (24) †† England Callum Wilson England Callum Wilson 22 Republic of Ireland Joe Murphy 53 FL Goal of the Year: Belgium Franck Moussa;
PFA Team of the Year: England Callum Wilson
2014–2015 season 3 17th (24) Scotland Jim O'Brien England Frank Nouble 7 Scotland John Fleck 48
2015–2016 season 3 9th (24) * Scotland John Fleck England Adam Armstrong 19 * Wales Sam Ricketts 46 * PFA Team of the Year: England Adam Armstrong

† Coventry City deducted 10 points by the Football League for going into administration.[40]
†† Coventry City deducted 10 points by the Football League.[41]
* Season in progress.

Club honours

Notable players

Official Hall of Fame

Player[42] Apps Goals
England Dave Bennett 201 33
England Brian Borrows 477 13
England Clarrie Bourton 241 182
Scotland Willie Carr 280 36
England Mick Coop 492 22
England George Curtis 538 13
Scotland Jimmy Dougall 236 14
England Dion Dublin 170 72
Player[42] Apps Goals
England Ron Farmer 311 52
England Mick Ferguson 141 57
Scotland Ian Gibson 101 14
England Bill Glazier 395 0
England Frederick Herbert 199 85
England George Hudson 129 75
England Ernie Hunt 166 51
Scotland Tommy Hutchison 355 30
Player[42] Apps Goals
England Mick Kearns 382 16
Wales Leslie Jones 145 73
Scotland Jock Lauderdale 182 63
Wales George Lowrie 85 59
England Ernie Machin 289 39
England George Mason 350 9
England Reg Matthews 116 0
England Steve Ogrizovic 601 1
Player[42] Apps Goals
England Trevor Peake 336 7
Wales Ronnie Rees 262 52
England Cyrille Regis 283 62
England Richard Shaw 362 1
England Danny Thomas 123 6
Scotland Ian Wallace 138 60
England Alf Wood 246 0

Player records

Managers

Chairmen

  • England Thomas Owen (1907–1912)
  • England David Cooke (1912–1928)
  • England Walter Brandish (1928–1935)
  • England Fred Stringer (1935–1946)
  • England George Jones (1946–1954)
  • England Eric Shanks (1954–1958)
  • England Walter Brandish Jr. (1958–1960)
  • England Derrick Robins (1960–1973)
  • England Peter Robins (1973–1975)
  • England Jack Scamp (1975–1977)
  • England Phil Mead (1977–1980)
  • England Jimmy Hill (1980–1983)
  • Scotland Iain Jamieson (1983–1984)
  • England John Poynton (1984–1990)
  • England Peter Robins (1990–1993)
  • England John Clarke (1993)
  • England Bryan Richardson (1993–2002)
  • England Mike McGinnity (2002–2005)
  • England Geoffrey Robinson (2005–2007)
  • England Joe Elliott (2007)
  • England Ray Ranson (2007–2011)
  • England Ken Dulieu (2011)
  • Vacant (2011–2013)
  • England Tim Fisher (2014–)

In Popular Culture

In a second-season episode of Monty Python's Flying Circus first aired in December 1970, the team is mentioned in the "World Forum/Communist Quiz" sketch.[43] A host (Eric Idle) asks four socialist leaders (Karl Marx, Lenin, Che Guevara & Mao Tse-Tung) the last time Coventry City won the FA Cup. After receiving no guesses, the host responds that it was a trick question and that Coventry City have never won the FA Cup. This sketch first aired 17 years before Coventry's 1987 FA Cup victory.

References

  1. 1 2 "The Sky Blues – A Brief History". ccfc.co.uk. Coventry City F.C. 7 November 2011. Retrieved 22 September 2012.
  2. ↑ "Classic Cup Finals". The Football Association. Retrieved 8 August 2008.
  3. ↑ "Coventry City Football Club information". Coventry Telegraph. Retrieved 22 September 2012.
  4. ↑ "Frozen in time: 7 January 1989 – Sutton upset Coventry in the FA cup". The Guardian. 8 January 2006. Retrieved 22 September 2012.
  5. ↑ "The Alan Higgs Centre". covsf.com. Coventry Sports Foundation. Retrieved 22 September 2012.
  6. ↑ "Coventry City face administration threat over 'unpaid rent'". BBC Sport (BBC). 21 March 2013. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
  7. ↑ Scott, Ged (14 June 2013). "BBC Sport – Coventry City administrator Paul Appleton accepts Otium bid". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
  8. ↑ "Coventry City: Administrator adjourns club's creditors' meeting". BBC Sport (BBC). 23 July 2013. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
  9. ↑ "Coventry City: Sky Blues creditors' meeting adjourned again". BBC Sport (BBC). 30 July 2013. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
  10. ↑ "Coventry City FC Ltd faces liquidation". BBC Sport (BBC). 2 August 2013. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
  11. 1 2 "Coventry City Football Club have agreed a deal to return to the Ricoh Arena". Coventry City F.C. 21 August 2014. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
  12. ↑ "Look: Coventry's infamous chocolate brown kit named as the worst strip in English football history". Coventry Telegraph. Trinity Mirror. 6 June 2013. Retrieved 9 June 2013.
  13. ↑ "Coventry fans protest as Southampton dump home side out of FA Cup". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. 7 January 2012. Retrieved 29 August 2013.
  14. ↑ Taylor, Daniel (4 January 2013). "Coventry head to Tottenham awash with memories of their finest hour". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 29 August 2013.
  15. ↑ Brown, Jim. "100 Years of Highfield Road". cwn.org.uk. Retrieved 22 September 2012.
  16. ↑ "LOOK: Eight years today since Coventry City left Highfield Road". Coventry Telegraph. Trinity Mirror. 30 April 2005. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
  17. ↑ "Coventry City Factfile: Ricoh Arena". Sky Sports. Retrieved 4 August 2008.
  18. ↑ "Jimmy Hill statue unveiled at Coventry's Ricoh Arena". BBC News. BBC. 28 July 2011. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
  19. ↑ "Owners of Sky Blues planning to build Highfield Road II 'just outside' city". Coventry Telegraph. Retrieved 23 May 2013.
  20. ↑ "BBC Sport – Coventry City given 'play for free' offer at Ricoh Arena". BBC Sport. 11 June 2013. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
  21. ↑ Les Reid (23 May 2013). "Coventry City planning to build Highfield Road II". Coventry Telegraph. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
  22. ↑ Andy Turner (16 May 2013). "Preston Haskell bids to buy Coventry City and half-share of Ricoh Arena". Coventry Telegraph. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
  23. ↑ "BBC Sport – Coventry City: Walsall boss Smith says groundshare 'won't happen'". BBC Sport. 20 June 2013. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
  24. ↑ "BBC Sport – Coventry City set to groundshare with Northampton Town". BBC Sport. 4 July 2013. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
  25. ↑ "BBC News – Coventry fans hold Ricoh Arena protest 'to keep club in the city'". BBC Sport. 29 June 2013. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
  26. ↑ "Coventry City ground share 'a disgrace' MP says". BBC News Coventry and Warwickshire. 11 July 2013. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
  27. ↑ "Coventry City agree deal to return to the Ricoh Arena". Coventry Telegraph. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
  28. ↑ "Time to bring Coventry City home" (News article). Coventry Telegraph. 7 July 2014. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
  29. ↑ "Streets flooded with Sky Blue as supporters send out clear message" (News article). Coventry Telegraph. 12 July 2014. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
  30. ↑ "Finalists revealed for the British Journalism Awards in association with TSB" (Press release). Press Gazette. 4 November 2014. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
  31. ↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34788781
  32. 1 2 Bagot, Martin (9 May 2012). "New Coventry City fans group set up to replace Sky Blue Trust". Coventry Telegraph. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
  33. ↑ Bagot, Martin (1 June 2012). "Coventry City's Sky Blue Trust to be reborn". Coventry Telegraph. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
  34. ↑ Bagot, Martin (13 June 2012). "Reformed Sky Blue Trust wants 'fans to buy stake in Coventry City'". Coventry Telegraph. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
  35. ↑ Bagot, Martin (19 June 2012). "Coventry City fans debate plan to buy stake in Sky Blues". Coventry Telegraph. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
  36. ↑ "Sky Blue Trust – About The Trust – Our Aims & Objectives". skybluetrust.co.uk. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
  37. ↑ Bagot, Martin (22 August 2011). "Coventry City fans stage protests outside London's Sisu HQ and Ricoh Arena (videos)". Coventry Telegraph. Retrieved 22 September 2012.
  38. 1 2 "Sky Blue Song 50th anniversary marked at Coventry City". BBC News. BBC Online. 22 December 2012. Retrieved 17 August 2013.
  39. ↑ "Football Rivalries: The Survey". The Daisy Cutter. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
  40. ↑ "Coventry City deducted 10 points by the Football League". 28 March 2013.
  41. ↑ "Coventry City: Football League docks Sky Blues 10 points". 2 August 2013.
  42. 1 2 3 4 http://www.skybluebarmy.co.uk/players/halloffame
  43. ↑ "Monty Python: Communist Quiz". MontyPython.net.

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