CCFPA’s Ronnie, Kirk and Billy Rally Broadgate

Concerned Sky Blues fans massed in Broadgate awaiting the speeches

A massive turnout of Coventrians, the vast majority Sky Blues fans (plus supporters from other clubs) packed Broadgate last Saturday. The colourful assemblage of several thousands, probably the largest gathering in Coventry City centre since the victorious Sky Blues brought the F.A.Cup back to the city in 1987, had gathered  to mark a much more gloomy prospect – the Club’s decision to up sticks for at least the next three years to play its ‘home’ games at Northampton’s Sixfields Stadium.

The sky blue multitude had marched in protest  to the city centre from Gosford Green park close to the spiritual and historic homes of CCFC at Highfield Road (and its predecessor club Singers FC). The peaceful and impressive march organised by the Sky Blue Trust led by twin  ‘Lady Godivas’ on horseback culminated in an emotional rally at the heart of the City.

Kirk tells it like it is

The crowd, including many Associate members, cheered a number of passionate speeches, including by Ian Devoy, (the great great grandson of Singer’s founder Willie Stanley, Coventry MP Bob Ainsworth and CCFPA’s very own trio, the first two representing the Club ‘s players of the past. Association President Kirk Stephens and Club Legend Ron Farmer (who bridged the eras from Billy Frith’s Bantams’ to Jimmy Hill ‘s ‘Sky Blues’ ) took to the stage along with CCFPA  Vice Chairman Billy Bell and voiced their concerns about what had been happening to the Club that had been such an  important part of both their playing careers and subsequent sporting life.

Ron Farmer (left) & Billy Bell voice their anger

The audience were united in their opposition to the ground share, listened  actively but respectfully to the various speakers, and shared both deep concern over the consequences of the move for their beloved club as well as the (fading) hope that all the parties involved in the dispute over the abandonment of the Ricoh arena can find a last minute solution that keeps the Sky Blues playing in Coventry!

Thanks to SBT for organising such a powerful event and thanks to Roger Ellis for supplying the pictures and Associate Member Dean Nelson for sourcing them.