Talks continuing on possible Ricoh return for Sky Blues
COVENTRY City are in ongoing conversations with Ricoh Arena owners Wasps, the Coventry Telegraph can confirm.
Reports in the national media have claimed that the Sky Blues are set to, “re-open talks in the New Year,” about a return to the stadium in the city that bears the club’s name.
Mirror Sport reported this week that “there has been progress between cash-strapped rugby club Wasps and Coventry over ending their row” and claimed that Coventry City officials are now “increasingly hopeful” of securing a new lease for 2021/2022 back in the city.
The Coventry Telegraph, however, understands that there have been no new developments in terms of the situation and that, in fact, conversations continue to be ongoing with the Premiership rugby club.
The BBC reported that talks had resumed in early October and that situation remains the case almost two months on.
The Sky Blues are playing at Birmingham City’s St Andrew’s for the second successive year.
The football club averaged 12,363 home crowds previously at the Ricoh in League One with just over 7,000 season ticket holders.
But attendances last season dropped to an average of around 6,000 at St Andrew’s before the pandemic.
City’s long-term plan is for the club is to move into their own new stadium at the University of Warwick, having agreed a partnership with the university. But that will take several years to come to fruition and a return
City’s long-term plan is for the club is to move into their own new stadium at the University of Warwick.
to the Ricoh is expected in the meantime, particularly now that Mark Robins’ men are competing in the Championship. City are currently operating with one of the lowest budgets in the division, along with Wycombe Wanderers, and, once fans are due back in unrestricted numbers, the club will be keen to maximise their revenue streams, particularly from season tickets and matchday ticket money.
And that means a return to the Ricoh, where fans would flood back in their numbers, would be more likely. There will certainly be an appetite for a return from both camps, not least due to the fact that Wasps, like most sports clubs, are also struggling financially due to coronavirus. As it stands the EFL has said City can play away from Coventry for up to three seasons.