Coventry City chief meets with Wasps’ owner to discuss Ricoh Arena row
COVENTRY City chief executive Dave Boddy has revealed that he’s had a meeting with Wasps to discuss the current impasse in the Ricoh Arena row.
Boddy met with the Premiership rugby club’s owner Derek Richardson, saying they had a “pleasant” exchange.
Providing an update in his programme notes ahead of the match against Burton Albion, the Sky Blues chief also said that it was right that all parties involved, including the club’s owners Sisu, are questioned over the role they have played in the situation reaching this point.
“Earlier this week we updated the EFL regarding the stadium situation for next season,” said Boddy.
“While we would have liked to have given them a more positive update, unfortunately we could only describe the situation as it stands.
“We confirmed that our aim is to agree a deal at our home, the Ricoh Arena. This is best for Coventry City Football Club, its fans, the community and all parties.
“Of course we aware that Wasps have chosen not to negotiate with us while our owners Sisu pursue their legal case against Coventry City Council in which Wasps are named as an interested party.
“As the club’s management we have a responsibility to the football club and its to its future and its supporters, to explore other groundshare options that may be necessary to ensure the club’s survival if both sides maintain their stance and therefore no agreement can be reached for us to remain at the Ricoh Arena.
“This means our deadline is April 25 when, if necessary, there will be a vote of EFL member clubs on our future in the EFL. We will continue to do all that is in the football club’s power to achieve what we believe everyone wants to see next season – agreement for Coventry City to play at the Ricoh Arena – before that deadline, so that a vote on our place in the EFL is not necessary.
“Last week I met with Derek Richardson, the owner of Wasps. It was a pleasant meeting and we spoke about a number of topics relating the pitch, Academy systems and the differences and similarities between our two sports.
“While we got on well, he did reiterate Wasps’ position that our owners need to stop their legal action before they enter negotiations on a new deal at the stadium.
“This week we publicly asked questions of Coventry City Council over their 2014 unconditional promise they made over the “security and future” of the football club when they sold the stadium to Wasps.
“We have provided the evidence and questions. The then leader of the city council Ann Lucas said ‘This deal would not have happened if it threatened the future of the Sky Blues or Coventry Rugby Club,’ and she was correct to make that promise.”