COVENTRY MESSAGE BOARD

The new garden will see a carved memorial of Jimmy, and his ashes scattered before the last home game of the season



A new memorial garden will be created at the Ricoh Arena in honour of former Coventry City manager Jimmy Hill, where some of his ashes will also be scattered.

The garden will be an extension of the current memorial site which is now at full capacity, and will be opened at 1pm before the Sky Blues’ last home game of the season on April 30 against Sheffield United.

Former club chairman Joe Elliott MBE and Olympian Dave Long are behind the idea of the new garden, in which everything from the new fencing around the site to the carved impression of Jimmy and the Sky Blue badge will be donated by local businesses.

The current memorial garden is already used by many fans but it is hoped more people will attend the new garden to remember the life of Jimmy, and their own family members.

The garden will have an ornate fence, donated by Steel Construction Limited, and house a plaque remembering Jimmy.

This will be hand-carved by Steve Mitchell, the founder of Planet Granite - who also created the plaques in the current garden over a decade ago.

He said: “It is such a proud achievement to create something which not just his family will enjoy, but the fans too.

“As a Coventry boy, I wouldn’t take a second thought about donating a stone to the garden. I know how much it will mean to everyone to have Jimmy honoured here and to see that reflected will be lovely to see.”

Steve will be carving Jimmy into the statue, along with the badge of the football club, to add that special touch to what will be a special place for both Jimmy’s family and Sky Blues fans.

Managing director of the Ricoh, Andy Gibb, said: “It is important for people to remember Jimmy, and it will make people feel proud to see a part of him here at every home game.

“It will be great for people to commemorate him in this way, and a fitting gesture for everyone involved - especially the club he worked so hard for.”

The ceremony will be a short service lead by John Witcombe, Dean of Coventry Cathedral, and will see fans gather before kick off to say their goodbyes to Jimmy on his final journey.

Coventry City fans pay tribute to Jimmy Hill at opening of new memorial garden



Fans gathered at the Ricoh Arena yesterday to pay their final respects to the late Jimmy Hill as a new memorial garden was unveiled in his honour.

Some of the ashes of the former Sky Blues boss were scattered in a ceremony in the garden before the club’s final home game of the season, which ended 3-1 to city.

The Dean of Coventry Cathedral , the Very Rev John Whitcombe, braved awful weather to open the garden and lead the ceremony, where members of Jimmy’s family as well as Sky Blues fans turned out to mark the occasion.

The garden contains a sculpture with the silhouette of Jimmy carved into it, accompanied by a famous quote.

It will be open for fans to scatters the ashes of loved ones, and to visit and pay their respects.

It has been described as ‘The Final Journey’ by Joe Elliott, who was in attendance at the ceremony, and was the brains behind the idea for the memorial garden at the memorial service for Jimmy at Coventry Cathedral in February .

He said: “During the memorial service at the cathedral we were presented with an urn of some of Jimmy’s ashes by his wife.

“We decided that it’d be a good opportunity to bring Jimmy home on a final journey to the football club.

“Jimmy Hill made Coventry City into a big club, and people remember him for this.

“He made such a difference to our lives by allowing us to support a wonderful football club with great success.”

Jimmy’s son Jamie Hill cut the ribbon during the 15-minute service which was held at 1pm before the game against Sheffield United.

The Jimmy Hill Memorial Garden is an extension of the current memorial garden, which was at capacity but now fans have the chance to scatter their loved ones where a Coventry legend has also found his last resting place.