Coventry chief reveals stadium plan

18 May 2013 00:17

Chief executive Tim Fisher insists there is absolutely no chance Coventry will be playing at the Ricoh Arena next season and has revealed the club are in the process of securing a site in the local area on which to build a new stadium.

Speaking to Press Association Sport, Fisher also stated the club have lined up a groundshare on an interim basis while their new home is being erected, with the plans to go in front of the Football League at the start of June.

Fisher went on to add "it's a new era and we retained specialists some months ago to advise us on where to build a new stadium for the club - and in the immediate Coventry area, by the way".

It comes following a year-long rent row with Arena Coventry Limited (ACL), who manage the Ricoh Arena on behalf of joint owners the Alan Edward Higgs Charity and Coventry City Council.

Yet Fisher was keen to stress to supporters who may not back the move that it was not the npower League One club who made the decision to leave, rather it was a situation put upon them by having figuratively had "the doors locked on us". Although in a statement of their own on Thursday, ACL said "our doors remain open to the Sky Blues".

Asked if there is any chance of Coventry playing at the Ricoh Arena next season, Fisher replied: "None. People have to understand we do not posture, we do not threaten, because that is not how you do business, you only do business in good faith. Always.

"We have started the process of procuring land so that we can shift the new stadium build forward at a pace. The stadium will be in the Coventry area in accordance with Football League rules."

Fisher added: "We have left the Ricoh Arena. We were told categorically by ACL and by the council that there was no commercial deal to be done and in actual fact they would only ever work with the administrator.

"We were very, very clear in our minds as to exactly what was intended. Given the position we have had to make contingency plans to fulfil our fixtures on an interim basis - while we deliver the long-term vision. That long-term vision has us playing in the Coventry area in a new stadium that will be designed and delivered in three years.

"All this will be in full consultation with the fans - starting with the upcoming forums. In consideration of financial fair play then we will own all the revenue streams that come from matchday and, non-matchday activities, and therefore we will have every chance of becoming a solid, vibrant club."

Source: PA