The big issues Coventry City chief MUST tackle
COVENTRY City chief executive David Boddy has joined the club at one of the most uncertain times in its history. The new man in charge will find a full in-tray as he takes up his seat on the board. Simon Gilbert takes a look at some of the most pressing m
LONG-TERM HOME
Coventry City’s deal to play at the Ricoh Arena expires in summer 2018.
Talks over extending the current deal between new landlords Wasps and CCFC broke down in June 2016 with Wasps citing the “distraction” of ongoing legal action over the Ricoh Arena by the club’s owners.
But Wasps indicated in May 2017 that they would be open to talks again if they were approached directly by the club.
The club insists its preferred option is a ground share with Coventry RFC at Butts Park Arena - but there are no public signs of significant progress on these plans since they first came to light in 2016.
Mr Boddy must surely make securing the future of Coventry City in Coventry his first priority.
The unpopular move to Sixfields in 2013, and the resulting huge decline in attendances, shows the club could struggle outside of its home city.
JUDICIAL REVIEW 2
Mr Boddy may well say, as others have before him, that the court case is nothing to do with the football club.
But the two companies which make up Coventry City are listed among the three firms pursuing legal action against Coventry City Council to challenge the terms of the deal which saw Premiership rugby club Wasps secure Ricoh Arena operator ACL in October 2014.
The first hearing into this application is due to be heard on July 14.
Whether or not he feels it is his place to get involved, the supporters are weary of a string of court battles which began in 2013 and could run for years to come.
He will need to deal with the fall out from the ongoing court action and the public backlash that invariably follows.
ACADEMY
Coventry City announced some good news this week with a deal agreed for the Academy to continue to play at the Alan Higgs Centre, in Allard Way, for the 2017/18 season. The existing deal was due to expire this month.
But the club’s long-term future at the site is in doubt with Wasps given planning permission to build a £7million training centre at the venue - and Coventry City Council’s plans to create a 50-metre swimming pool on another area of the site.
The club has been exploring long-term solutions and recently confirmed talks have taken place with Finham Park School about the possibility of relocating the Academy to the site.
But the Academy is a valuable source of talent and income for CCFC and Mr Boddy will need to prioritise its long-term future.
TRAINING GROUND
Coventry City’s training ground, in Ryton, has been put forward as a possible location for houses by the club’s owners.
Club officials have said the club is keen to relocate the Academy and first-team into a new modern facility – but details about what exactly that means have not been forthcoming.
Permission to redevelop Ryton would only be given subject to a Rugby Borough Council clause which says building can only commence “when adequate replacement of pitch provision is made to the satisfaction of Rugby Borough Council and Sport England in accordance with national planning policy.”
The proceeds of any sale of Sky Blue Lodge for housing is likely to be millions. But whether that money could be reinvested in the club is unclear. Sisu firm Arvo, which is owed millions by the club, has a charge on the site and would have first rights to any money generated from the sale of the asset.
Giving fans details about the plans for the proposed first-team and Academy training base should be near the top of Mr Boddy’s to-do list.