Coventry City agree deal to return to the Ricoh Arena

[dutchman]

Coventry City have agreed a deal to return to the Ricoh Arena after more than a year of playing their football in Northampton.



A statement released by the club has confirmed a deal for a return has been signed after terms were agreed following secret talks between lawyers acting for club owners Sisu and Ricoh Arena operators ACL.

The two-year deal, with an option for an extra two years, should see the Sky Blues play at the Ricoh Arena for the first time in the league against Gillingham on September 6.

The Football League appears to have given its consent to the move after releasing a statement praising the parties for coming to a resolution following a long-running dispute.

Steve Waggott, development director at Coventry City FC, said: “We are delighted to get this deal done and I am sure every supporter of Coventry City will be thrilled with this news.

“We are under no illusion what a difficult 12 months it has been for the supporters and that was uppermost in our thinking as we worked to get this deal done.

“There has had to be compromise on both sides and the commercial details of the deal will remain confidential.

“Can I also take this opportunity of thanking Chris Robinson, Chair of ACL, for the professional manner he has conducted our lengthy discussions to reach this agreement.”

Chris Robinson said: “Everyone at ACL looks forward to delivering a top quality service to the club and the fans.”

A compensation payment will also be due to Northampton Town from the Sky Blues as part of the contractual conditions drawn up when the two clubs agreed a three-year ground share deal, with an option for two further years, ahead of last season. The club says they have kept to Cobblers informed about their plans to return to the Ricoh Arena and thanked the club for its hospitality.

The deal between ACL and Sisu comes after a bitter dispute which began in April 2012 when the Sky Blues began withholding rent from the stadium operators.

The fall-out ultimately led to the club’s owners moving the club out of the Ricoh Arena ahead of last season to play “home” matches 35 miles away in Northampton.

[dutchman]

Coventry City apologise to fans for Ricoh Arena row



Coventry City have apologised to fans for their long-running dispute over rent at the Ricoh Arena which led to them playing games at Northampton Town.

The League One club have agreed a two-year deal to resume playing in their home city, with the first match against Gillingham on Friday, 5 September.

"I get the frustration and anger that's been shown by the fans," said Sky Blues development director Steve Waggott.

"I apologise sincerely for everything I may have inflicted on them."

The deal to return to the Ricoh Arena sees an end to a stand-off between stadium operators Arena Coventry Limited (ACL) and former Sky Blues owners Sisu, which dates back to April 2012.

The club has been playing home games at Northampton Town's Sixfields ground since August 2013, with many fans deciding not to go and City attracting the lowest 'home' average attendance in League One last season.

Ann Lucas, leader of Coventry City Council which part-owns the stadium, said long and secretive negotiations were necessary despite being "really frustrating" for fans and businesses.

"To anybody who's lost out, I'm so sorry," she said.

The apologies have followed a reconciliation in part brought about by the Very Reverend John Witcombe, Dean of Coventry.

Chris Robinson, chairman of Arena Coventry Limited, which runs the Ricoh Arena, said discussions were conducted "with great spirit".

Waggott would not confirm or deny that legal proceedings, ongoing throughout the row, would be dropped and said the deal "focused on things on the pitch rather than off the pitch".

He reiterated his wish for the club to ultimately own its stadium and said this deal was "one step towards" this.

Details about the two-year agreement have not been released and tickets for games are not yet available.