Rick87
14 years ago
5 days ago
3,084
31/05/2012
Sky Blues Evicted
http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/67674000/jpg/_67674314_ricoh_arena_getty.jpg


Coventry City's financial woes continued to mount today as they were served with an eviction notice from the Ricoh Arena after failing to keep up with it's rental payments.
The Sky Blues are believed to owe in the region of £1.5M in rent arrears to Arena Coventry Ltd who have leased the 32,609 seat stadium, which was used during this summers Olympic football tournament to the club since construction was completed in 2005 for around.

With the club who were relegated from the Championship just three weeks ago, now homeless the pressure is on owners, Otium Entertainment group, to find a venue for the upcoming 2012/13 season with a ground-share with nearby Birmingham City seemingly preferred, however with the £1.5M outstanding rent arrears as well as one of the steepest wage bills in League One the former FA Cup winners may also struggle with the viability of playing at St. Andrew's, a more suitable option may be sharing with Walsall who themselves have steep monthly payments to meet on the Bank's stadium which they sold and leased back in order to stay afloat, so a move to the Black Country for Coventry may be of mutual benefit to the pair.
Rick87
14 years ago
5 days ago
3,084
01/06/2012
HMRC Losing Patience With Coventry
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/finance/files/2011/09/revenueSUM_1708977c.jpg


Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs today issued a final demand for the £31M owed by Coventry City FC to HMRC as well as numerous other creditors.
The club which is currently without a stadium for the upcoming season due to a rental dispute with the owners of the Ricoh Arena has yet to comment on HMRC's demand, however a tax office spokesman had this to say; "HMRC is saddened to have to take action against an institution such as Coventry City, however with the club without a home and assured revenue, the current agreement with regards to our re-payment schedule has been terminated, as such Coventry City have fourteen days to finalise a re-location or we will have no alternative but to wind up the club and all it's assets.
Rick87
14 years ago
5 days ago
3,084
02/06/2012
Walsall Fans Don't Want To Share
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Supporters of Walsall FC have made their feelings known about possibly sharing the Banks's stadium with West Midlands rivals Coventry City as they protested at the idea outside the ground.

The Saddler's faithful are opposed to the share, fearing it could further draw support away from the League one side that has seen it's attendances dwindle in the last eight years since it competed in the second tier of English football in 2004 with the average gate around just 3,500 in a 11,500 stadium. One of the protesters was quoted as saying; "This club finds it difficult enough to get backsides on seats with the likes of Aston Villa, West Brom, Wolves and Birmingham all drawing from our potential fan base, we certainly can't afford for another club to come and sit on our laps, taking any more from us.

The Sky Blues were dealt another major blow by the FA today who said the club would not be allowed to share with either Aston Villa or Birmingham City due to potential trouble in Birmingham City centre should two set of supporters meet there, "Birmingham and Villa are not permitted to play at home on the same day to minimise the risk of violence" said an FA representative, "adding Coventry to the equation would complicate the matter, and as sch the FA is not willing to accept any such deal."
Rick87
14 years ago
5 days ago
3,084
05/06/2012
Billionaire Offers Hope To Sky Blues
http://www.therichest.com/wp-content/uploads/9-jim-irsay.jpg


Coventry City may have a lifeline this afternoon as the club, who last week were issued with an ultimatum by HMRC of either finding a new stadium within two weeks or face liquidation. with that deadline fast approaching and still no deal looking likely, Sky Blues fans have reason to worry, however they may be about to be rescued.

Rumours abound on Twitter as American billionaire James Irsay was spotted at the headquarters of Coventry's operating consortium Otium Entertainment ltd, the 54 year old is the owner of NFL side the Indianapolis Colts where he oversaw the 2006 Superbowl win.
Irsay who features in the Forbes list of 400 richest Americans has a net worth of around $1.5B is rumoured to be interested in buying Coventry City FC as well as the Ricoh arena in addition to clearing the clubs debts in order to facilitate a serious push for a return to the Premier League within five years.

More news on this story as we get it.
Rick87
14 years ago
5 days ago
3,084
07/06/2012
Irsay Not Intrested In Sky Blues
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Would be Coventry City saviour James Irsay has today denied that he is bidding for the club, stating that although he is looking into the possibility of buying a football club, Coventry do not interest him.

The Indianapolis Colt's owner admitted he would prefer to purchase a London based side who ideally would be in the Premier League already or a Championship side who wouldn't take much work to push for promotion with, giving rise to rumours regarding the likes of West Ham, Fulham and Crystal Palace amongst others.

This snub could be a death knell for Coventry who desperately seek to agree a ground share before the June 14th deadline set by HMRC last week or else face being liquidated.
Rick87
14 years ago
5 days ago
3,084
10/06/2012
Latest Ground-Share Proposal Rejected
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dEcZSkQCIuk/TN8bsukOESI/AAAAAAAALKM/wPf2BRKM2U4/s400/Tamworth%2B012.JPG


Coventry City's latest attempt to save it's self have been thwarted by the FA who ruled against allowing the Sky Blues to share with Conference side Tamworth for the coming season, stating that the Staffordshire side's Lamb Ground did not meet the required standards for League One stadia.

The Lamb was seen as a last option for Coventry who face extinction unless they can agree a deal in the next four days, the rejection of the 4,000 capacity ground will also mean moves to make a deal with fellow non-league neighbours Nuneaton and Hinckley are also likely to be rejected by the FA who have already turned down the 1987 FA Cup winners attempts to move in with Aston Villa and Birmingham City.
Rick87
14 years ago
5 days ago
3,084
14/06/2012
A Sad Day For Football As Coventry Run Out Of Time
http://static.adifferentleague.co.uk/images/articles/coventry020813.jpg


After weeks of desperately trying to broker a deal which would save the club, time has finally ran out on Coventry City FC who earlier today were served with a winding up order from HMRC, bringing to an end 129 years of history.

Tearful supporters lined the streets in Coventry city centre as if morning the loss of a state figure, most blame the Arena Coventry consortium for forcing them out of the the Ricoh Arena, others are bitter towards neighbouring clubs for refusing to help in their hour of need and perhaps all blame financial mismanagement on the part of the board. whatever the cause of the club's demise there is an undertone of defiance amongst the grief and anger with plans already being drawn up for a phoenix club run by the Coventry City supporters cub which they hope will be up and running ready for the coming season.

Until details of the new club are confirmed, the Sky Blues faithful are left to reflect on a history which included winning the 1987 FA Cup and spending 34 years in the top flight of English football before relegation in 2001, from which the club never truly recovered.
Rick87
14 years ago
5 days ago
3,084
17/06/2012
CCSC Purchase Sphinx
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Coventry City supporters club have completed the purchase of neighbouring non-league outfit Coventry Sphinx in a deal that will include the club's ground, Sphinx drive, as well as their place in the Midland Alliance after the FA approved the deal.

The CCSC have confirmed it raised the money through online donations from fellow Sky Blues fans after their club folded last week, the group keen to ensure their new phoenix project will be playing football next season quickly moved to complete the purchase for a sum believed to be around £15k. The new club will be branded as AFC Coventry City, In addition AFC have agreed to allow a re-formed Sphinx to act as it's reserve side, labled the Coventry City Sphinx.

With the first game of the 2012/13 season just six weeks away, AFC must move quickly in order to recruit a brand new playing and backroom staff in time for the club's inaugural game.
Shedender
17 years ago
1 month ago
13,751
Good luck with this Rick, it's a promising start!
Rick87
14 years ago
5 days ago
3,084
18/06/2012
Ogrizovic Announced As AFC Chief
http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/51016000/jpg/_51016193_jex_741_de27-1.jpg


AFC Coventry have revealed club legend Steve Ogrizovic as their honorary chairman
'Oggy' made over 500 appearances in goal for the now dissolved Coventry City between 1984 and 2002, winning the FA cup in 1987. upon retirement he then served as goalkeeping coach at the club in the subsequent ten years.

AFC Coventry City are owned by the Coventry City supporters club who have established a the club in a remarkably short space of time as they prepare for their inaugural season in the Midland Alliance at the ninth tier of English football, preparing to face the likes of Heather St. John's and Loughborough University at their 1,000 capacity Sphinx drive ground which they inherited from Coventry Sphinx who AFC brought out in order to gain Sphinx's league place, a far cry from the ultra modern 32,000 all seater Ricoh arena which the old club called home.

Ogrizovic's first job as AFC supermo will be to find a worthy manager, capable of steering the club in the right direction during it's darkest days.
Rick87
14 years ago
5 days ago
3,084
20/06/2012
Dublin to Lead AFC
http://img.skysports.com/09/05/496x259/Dion-Dublin-Coventry-City-1997_2306030.jpg


AFC Coventry earlier today announced the appointment of former fan favourite Dion Dublin as their manager.
Dublin 43, spent for and a half years with Coventry City, scoring 61 goals and tying for the 1997/98 golden boot honour with Michael Owen and Chris Sutton, earning him the first of four England caps.

Dublin's status with the Sky Blue's faithful was tarnished when in 1998 he agreed a £5.75M move to hated local rivals Aston Villa where he spent the next six years before moving on to Leicester City, Celtic and finally Norwich where he spent the final two years of his career before retiring in 2008.
A SPL winner with Celtic, Dublin will be hoping to use his recently earned coaching badges to quickly help AFC climb the league ladder and win back the adulation of the supporters.
Rick87
14 years ago
5 days ago
3,084
Right that's the back story out the way, down to business!

Club Info
http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/52122000/jpg/_52122192_city_kit_badge_226.jpg
http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h361/Richard_Beale/4_zps7a6ff117.png

As you can see I've opted to use Coventry's anniversary badge which they used in 2011/12 as my logo, the kit's are my own creation aside from the third kit which keeps appearing despite me not wanting it too, anybody know how to get rid of it?

In the bank we have a £40k nest-egg, a fairly modest sum but I din't want to have it too easy and buy myself all the way up the league pyramid, in terms of club reputation I gave us that equal to exactly a quater of the old club.
http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h361/Richard_Beale/3_zps3bc49267.png


The squad and staff rosters are completely blank, aside from a bunch of 'grey' players;
http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h361/Richard_Beale/2_zpsddb4209c.png


Finally here's my manager profile;
http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h361/Richard_Beale/1_zpsecb0c826.png

I'm aware that Dion was in fact an international player fr England, but with just for caps to his name and no goals, professional seemed more suiting.

Now the work begins!
Rick87
14 years ago
5 days ago
3,084
The Team

I have now finished assembling the very first AFC Coventry squad, a group of players that I hope will be able to lead us to the Midland Alliance crown at the first time of asking, not an unreasonable ask in my opinion, so let's take a look shall we?

Goalkeepers
http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h361/Richard_Beale/1_zpsbff6115d.png

Polish shot stopper Krzysztof Zylski will be my league keeper following his switch from Southern Premier League side Banbury, he will however face competition from Sam Moore who has graduated from our divisional rivals Loughborough University to join us as our cup keeper.
Youth star Joe Williams is a long way from ready for the first team but he does look a talent for the future.
http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h361/Richard_Beale/4_zpsacccaf8b.png


Defenders
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Aaron Lescott's Football League experience with Stockport, Bristol Rovers and Walsall will be invaluable at right back, hence me making him the first AFC captain, like Sam Moore Ryan Carolin is another recruit from Loughborough Uni, he will partner local lad Tom Cudworth in the heart of defence, Cudworth is an alumni of Coventry Sphinx FC who we replaced in the Midland Alliance.
At left back West Bromwich Albion trainee Gez Mulholland will likely be first choice after he jumped from Halesowen to come to don the sky blue shirt, ex-Coalville Town man Cameron Stuart will provide a rotation option.
http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h361/Richard_Beale/3_zps9c6ec440.png


Midfielders
http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h361/Richard_Beale/3_zps504f9a32.png

Danny Holmes will be the lynchpin of the midfield, Danny played for Burton Albion and Ilkeston before splitting his time between playing for Gresley FC and coaching the Derby County under-18's.
Local lad Jack Dobson was released by Walsall last season, Jack Robinson, Edward Moss and Darren Cartwright will by vying to partner Holmes. On the flanks we have four decent wingers, although I think we might have to upgrade should we achieve promotion.
http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h361/Richard_Beale/2_zps132e7eef.png


Forwards
http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h361/Richard_Beale/4_zps1b4021d8.png

The strongest area of the squad in my opinion, all four are more than capable of tearing apart defences at this level, Neville Thompson and Matt Haddrell in particular should bang them in, Danny Quinn is a youngster signed from Stafford Rangers who has a lot of potential as a target man. Michael Emmerson is another Loughborough man who will support whoever he is partnering by dropping deeper and running at defenders.
http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h361/Richard_Beale/1_zps266f7e92.png
Rick87
14 years ago
5 days ago
3,084
August 2012


The first month in the history of AFC Coventry was a reasonable one, we took nine points from a possible twelve which wasn't a bad return given that my squad is a rather hastily assembled bunch that had never played together before.
http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h361/Richard_Beale/1_zpscfe01f04.png

Our inaugural game against fellow West Midlander's Tipton Town wasn't the ideal start for us, we wern't helped by left back Gez Mulholland seeing red shortly before half time. we possess by far the best team in the division, however this defeat served as a reminder that it won't be plain sailing and we will have to work hard to win promotion at this first time of asking.
We turned things around against Alvechurch as Matt Haddrell put us ahead in the tenth minute before a Neville Thompson brace secured our first ever win. the following game saw us gross the Warwickshire/Leicestershire border to face Heather where we eased to victory after Danny Quinn fired us head against the club at which he began his career on the cusp of half time before adding another on the hour mark.
Tall forward Quinn was again in deadly form for the visit of Coleshill Town as he ensured he was taking home the match ball with a hat-trick completed in the space of thirteen minutes. the Ashby-de-la-Zouch born forward looks a real talent and a shrewd steal from Stafford Rangers;
http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h361/Richard_Beale/3_zps98ac4944.png

The nine points see us end September in fourth place;
http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h361/Richard_Beale/2_zps9e3f8c80.png
Rick87
14 years ago
5 days ago
3,084
September 2012


Although we ended September unbeaten throughout the month we still only managed glimpses of what we are capable of as we stuttered to three goalless draws which is unacceptable given the quality of our forward players who should be putting defences to the sword at this level. Still, two convincing victories over Ellesmere and Gornal were just about enough to keep us near the top of the table.
http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h361/Richard_Beale/1_zps40043115.png

How we didn't manage to win either game against Highgate and Causeway United is beyond me as we dominated from first kick to last but try as we might, we just couldn't force the ball across the line.
Things looked to be going the same way against Ellesmere Rangers as we found ourselves a goal down at half time despite us passing the side from the Welsh border off the park, frustrated I let my players know exactly what I thought of the scoreline and reminded them of expectations, the hair dryer treatment worked a treat as within ten minutes we had gone from 1-0 down to leading 2-1, it wasn't long before a Neville Thompson brace had secured the result for us to get us back in winning ways.
I had hoped that the for goals at Ellesmere would spark us into life for the next game for the visit of Brummie's Boldmere but again we didn't take our chances and had to settle for a point despite innumerable opportunities to take all three.
Thankfully Danny Quinn rediscovered his form from last month against Gornal as he banged in twice before Ryan Carolan an Michael Emmerson scored their first goals for the club to complete a very straight forward result and move us up a place into third.
http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h361/Richard_Beale/2_zpsfc400075.png

Next month will be rather cup orientated as we face a two legged tie with Alvechurch, who we have already beaten this season in the Midland Alliance Cup as well as a visit to Essex outfit Takeley FC in the FA Vase first round and Walsall Wood in the Staffordshire senior cup.
There will be no FA Cup for us unfortunately as a club must have been established for at least three years before it becomes eligible to enter the worlds oldest competition.
Rick87
14 years ago
5 days ago
3,084
October 2012


The net has been bulging wherever we have gone this month with sixteen goals scored in our seven matches which saw unbeaten in the league as well as going matching on the cups.
http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h361/Richard_Beale/2_zps8c498f40.png

We set ourselves up nicely in the first leg of the Midland Alliance cup against Alvechurch as Sebastian Dunbar and Danny Quinn sealed straight forward 2-0 over the West Midlands side.
Walsall Wood proved a sterner test as we had to come from behind through Neville Thompson to take a point against the Wood before smashing Tividale 4-0 in the following fixture in a very impressive showing.

Complacency was evident in the second leg of the Midland Alliance cup with Alvechurch as we allowed Church back into the tie, 2-0 down at half time something had to change so I brought on Thompson who once again was deadly in front of goal and came up big just when we needed him to by slotting home in the 88th minute to send s through 3-2 on aggregate.
That same complacency was again on display during our visit to Essex for our FA Vase match with Takeley, we surrendered a two goal lead before re-taking and losing it again to force a most unwelcome replay which went all the way to extra time before Sebastian Dunbar finally broke the deadlock, his goal was just about enough to send us into the second round.

Braces for both Thompson and Danny Quinn cut top of the table Loughborough University's lead down to five points as we made light work of the students who had won ten of their opening eleven matches, this could be the result we need to really begin to take this division by the horns.
http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h361/Richard_Beale/1_zpsfc1b748e.png


http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h361/Richard_Beale/3_zps2a285127.png


The cup draws have been made, all of which I think we should be winning;
FA Vase: Colne Dynamos
Staffordshire Senior Cup: Pelsall Villa
Midland Alliance Cup: Walsall Wood
Rick87
14 years ago
5 days ago
3,084
November 2012


November came so close to being an absolutely perfect month, five consecutive wins and not a single goal conceded, typically it was Pelsall Villa, a side from division lower than ourselves who brought our fantastic run to an abrupt halt, albeit it in the two legged Midland Alliance cup so we will have the opportunity to rectify our mistakes.
http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h361/Richard_Beale/1_zps75a60d56.png

Matt Haddrell has been in twinckling form thus far this season, the striker was the only goalscorer in each of the first three games this month as his brace dispatched Walsall Wood in the Staffordshire Senior cup before he ensured we snared all three points against both Heath Hayes and Studley to mve wthin striking distance of top of the table Loughborough Uni.
We kept up our pressure on the students as Neville Thompson and Danny Quinn sank the Stourport Swifts in a convincing display, Loughborough managed to scrape a a win at Boldmere which keeps them ahead of us by three points for the time being.
http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h361/Richard_Beale/2_zps910adb18.png

We made simple work of Lancashire side Colne Dynamo in the FA Vase to advance to a third round tie with Bedfordshire outfit Biggleswade Town but came unstuck against Walsall based Pelsall Villa, despite taking the lead through Quinn we capitulated in a prominent display of arrogance and complacency against the Midland Combination side who took full advantage of our slack defending which up until now had been air tight, a much improved attitude is needed in the second leg.

Despite the loss to Pelsall I'm very happy with how things are going at the moment, we've been playing some admirable football and looking a very good bet for promotion, I'm confident that Loughborough will slip up eventually and allow us our opportunity to jump ahead of them, after which I don't think we'll ever look back.
Rick87
14 years ago
5 days ago
3,084
December 2012


We saw out 2012 with continuing good cheer as we remained unbeaten in the league since the opening day false start against Tipton, still Loughborough Uni are resolutely clinging on to the top of the table but I remain ever confident of catching them sooner or later. In addition to our fine league form we are also still progressing in all three cup competitions, I confess I'm not that bothered about the MA Cup or the Staffordshire senior cup (although it would of course be nice to win them.) but I would love to win the FA Vase, a prestigious national competition that carries a nice £15k prize for the winners which would be helpful.
http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h361/Richard_Beale/1_zps352f16c3.png

We had to come from behind to overcome Kirby Muxloe in a tight game, substitute Neville Thompson rising from the bench to covert a single point to three, trip to Rocester proved tricky encounter as the Derbyshire side snatched a point despite spending much of the game penned within their own half, allowing Loughborough to move keep hold of the top spot.

With so many games this month we could have done without extra time in the Midland Alliance cup as we over turned the 2-1 deficit from the first leg against Pelsall to take the tie all the way to penalties, the shoot-out was something of an epic, finishing an incredible 8-7 with 21 year Brian Summerskill tucking home the decisive kick to send us into the last eight of the competition against Leicestershire's Friar Lane & Epworth FC.
Two second half goals were enough as the cup fixtures continued, this time against Biggleswade Town in the FA Vase, Tipton Town await in the fourth round.
Our third and final cup match this month was against divisional rivals Continental Star, goals from Mark Innes and Matt Haddrall were enough to dispatch the Brummies as we booked our place in the Staffordshire senior cup semi final against Stratford Town.

If it wasn't for Tipton Town we would still be unbeaten in the league following the Black Country outfits 2-0 win over us on the opening day, we avenged tht result by thrashing Town 4-1 in a very one sided game, unfortunately we couldn't follow up against Stratford as we only managed a 1-1 draw with our semi-final opponents.
http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h361/Richard_Beale/2_zps320f1813.png

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