The Specials tell of their excitement at coming home for Cov return

THE Specials have confessed how excited they are about the band’s return to Coventry with founder member Lynval Golding revealing it is “a dream come true”.

The band have revealed they will be playing two dates in the ruins of Coventry Cathedral on July 10 and 11.

The home town appearances are part of a 40th anniversary tour by the band, which also coincides with the release of a new album entitled Encore.

Founding members Lynval Golding, Terry Hall and Horace Panter made a special appearance at the Cathedral ruins on Tuesday to announce the dates.

Lynval said: “I can’t wait to come back here - it is a dream come true.”

Explaining how much Coventry meant to him Lynval added: “It’s a bit cold here today but I live in Washington state in the US, so I’m used to it.

“I can feel the spirit of my father here - he is buried in Coventry in Holbrooks. “This is home sweet home.” Speaking about the summer gigs in the city Lynval said: “It is our 40th anniversary so what better place to be part of history than to be in the Coventry Cathedral ruins - the best place.

“Everybody get here for that - it is going to be a wonderful celebration of history.

“This is where we started, this is where the band was born - we are from Coventry.”

Horace Panter said: “The Specials are playing two nights in Coventry on July 10 and 11 - and it won’t rain - and it will be great.

“Coventry and The Specials are inextricably linked.”

Explaining how the Coventry dates came to be added on to the original 24-date tour itinerary, Horace said: “We wanted to play here, we were just finding the right venue.

“We played out at the Ricoh, it was in the Jaguar Hall, which was okay and you get a lot of people but it’s a bit cavernous. This is a nice venue.”

Tickets for the Coventry Cathedral ruins shows cost £40 plus booking fee and 1,500 tickets are available for each gig.

Anyone wanting to attend must be over 14 and all under-18s must be accompanied by an adult.

Doors open at 7pm.

Tickets can be bought online by phone or in person.

For telephone credit card bookings call 08444 77 1000.

Tickets can also be bought in person at The Hub at Coventry University Students’ Union and Coventry Music Museum.

The Specials were last in Coventry to play as a group on June 2, 2018, when they supported rock legends The Rolling Stones at the Ricoh Arena.