Coventry City 'plan move to Northamptonshire'...

[dutchman]

Coventry City have explored the possibility of playing their home matches at a ground 45 miles from the city.



The club last week threatened to find an alternative home as their war of words with Ricoh Arena owners ACL grew more bitter.

And the Coventry Telegraph understands that they have inquired about switching home fixtures to Rushden and Diamonds’ former ground, Nene Park in Northamptonshire, which currently lies vacant.

Owners Sisu appear determined to find a “more affordable home” after the company running the Ricoh issued a statutory demand for the £1.1million arrears owed by the football club, giving City 21 days to stump up their unpaid rent.

If they fail to meet the Boxing Day deadline the Sky Blues, bankrolled by Sisu for the last five years, would have to declare themselves insolvent or face a winding-up order.

It emerged over the weekend that City have turned down a latest offer from ACL which would see a rent reduction of 67 per cent, down to £400,000-a-year from £1.28million, as well as giving the club ten years to pay off what they owe and the chance to take matchday revenue from refreshments.

Asked about Nene Park, the club issued the following statement: “Following the issuing of a statutory demand by ACL last week the board of directors of CCFC will, first and foremost, continue to work hard at bringing about a resolution regarding the rent dispute with ACL that will enable the football club to remain at the Ricoh Arena.

“However, in the interim period, they must consider other alternative and appropriate venues which are affordable for a football club to ensure CCFC fulfil their future fixtures.

"The club has therefore commenced the sensible process of making contact with other football clubs to evaluate if their stadiums meet our requirements should negotiations with ACL fail to reach a mutually agreed position on the rent with the result that CCFC is forced to move away from the Ricoh to a new venue.”

Nene Park is recognised as one of the finest grounds in non-League football, but it is a 90-mile round trip from Coventry city centre and it’s 6,500 capacity (4,500 seated) would be effectively swallowed up by the Sky Blues’ season-ticket holders, assuming they would be prepared to travel that far.

The stadium, originally the home of Irthlingborough Diamonds, was massively upgraded in 1992 following the club’s merger with Rushden Town – the £30million project funded by Doc Martens owner Max Griggs.

But although his investment saw Rushden and Diamonds promoted to the Football League they could not attract crowds to maintain that momentum and went bust in 2011.

Neighbours Kettering Town took over as tenants, but their own financial problems meant that they could not afford the running costs and this season switched to playing their home matches at Corby Town, leaving Nene Park mothballed.

City have played one competitive game at the ground, in August 2005, when a crowd of 3,240 saw the Sky Blues win a Carling Cup tie 3-0 with goals from Gary McSheffrey, Matt Heath and Andy Morrell.

[rebbonk]

I think CCFC are playing a very dangerous game.

Will their ever dwindling fans travel that far?

Even if they go, they still owe the money...

[dutchman]

I think CCFC are playing a very dangerous game.

Will their ever dwindling fans travel that far?

Of course not, it's all posturing by the club to get the biggest rent reduction possible.

Relatively few people in Coventry are willing to travel a couple of miles north to Foleshill, let alone Northamptonshire!

[StevieG]

This debacle is developing into a first class farce !!!!!
I feel sorry for the supporters, they do not deserve this.

[rebbonk]

Source : COV CITY MAD