REASON FOR THE RIVALRY

Coventry City will kick off the new 2022/23 Championship campaign against Sunderland but why do the two side’s share such a fierce rivalry? ANDY TURNER explains Many Coventry City fans got their wish when the Sky Blues were handed an away trip to Sunderland on the opening day of the new 2022/23 Championship campaign.

In the past few seasons the two clubs have shared some classic clashes – none more so than last term’s nine-goal thriller, with nine different goalscorers – that saw Mark Robins’ side come away with all three points in a truly memorable 5-4 victory at the Stadium of Light.

And prior to the reverse fixture, a clip went viral on social media of a Black Cats fan hurling abuse at the Ricoh Arena’s statue of Jimmy Hill (below). But why? How can two clubs, 200 miles apart, share such a strong rivalry? Let us explain...

Back in

1976/77, the

Sky Blues and

Bristol City needed a result to stay up in the final fixture the campaign with Sunderland the other side battling to avoid the drop. A draw would suit Bristol and Sunderland, but Coventry had to win to ensure safety and preserve their top-flight status.

But in a surprise twist, the game that day, at the club’s former Highfield Road home, was delayed by 15 minutes due to traffic congestion – and City chairman Jimmy Hill was apparently keen to ensure the game was put back to allow supporters inside the ground ahead of the kick-off.

The Sky Blues raced into a two-goal lead, but the Robins hit back with only 11 minutes to play. Disaster. Coventry looked set for the drop. That was until news reached that the final whistle had gone at Sunderland, with the Black Cats beaten 2-0.

Hill then ensured the result was announced over the tannoy to update the fans, but also so that the players on the field could hear it. Provided there was no change in the score, both teams would be safe and, unsurprisingly, the tempo of the game stalled.

Relegated Sunderland were rightly aggrieved at the farce. Coventry and Hill were reprimanded for their part in the events before being exonerated of all wrong doing.

And the rest is history...