After each matchday programme this season, we publish the regular column from the Coventry City board on our website. You can read Coventry City Chief Executive Dave Boddy’s column from our game against Stoke City below: Good afternoon and welcome to today’s Sky Bet Championship game as we face Stoke City. I would also like to welcome the players, staff, officials and supporters who join us from Stoke this afternoon. In particular I would like to welcome their chairman Peter Coates who I have known for many years and his son John, who I have come to know in recent years. The Coates family has played an immeasurable part in the upward trajectory of the Club over the last three decades.
This year’s match coincides with Armistice Day, which marks 105 years since the treaty that put an end to hostilities in World War I, and is a significant event in the Club’s calendar as we come together to honor and remember our service men and women, both past and present, for everything they have done for us.
Today is also the anniversary of the Coventry Blitz, which took place on November 14, 1940, and resulted in a great loss of life in this city.
We take great pride in our support of the armed forces, which goes beyond a single November weekend. Our relationship with the Ministry of Defence is solid. The Club formally signed the Armed Forces Covenant in 2020. Additionally, we were recognized earlier this year with a Bronze award from the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS), which encourages employers to support defense and serves as a model for other organizations.
Supporters may be aware that in his address to Parliament on Tuesday, King Charles indicated that the Government intends to bring forward legislation for an independent financial regulator for professional football in England and Wales. The King confirmed that “legislation will be brought forward to safeguard the future of football clubs for the benefits of communities and fans.”
Whilst the EFL and the Premier League continue to discuss a major redistribution of funds, it is undoubtably an opportunity to get to a better, more sustainable place for Clubs at all levels in the pyramid. Our Club has actively supported the EFL and the process from the beginning.
This Wednesday night, players will be visiting the Superstore at the Arena to meet fans and have photos/signatures too. This is a benefit of our new, enlarged store as well as the scope for a greater range of products – some of which are in store already and with more coming in over the coming weeks and months. Unfortunately this appearance, and others, were postponed last week due to a change in the training schedule. Making sure the players are out and about in the community has been an integral part of the Club over the last few years and it is regrettable when planned appearances have to change, but obviously the training schedule and needs of the players is required to come first. We apologise for any inconvenience that this caused to fans planning to attend the Superstore and Supporter Clubs last week, but thankfully we were able to re-arrange these for this coming week.
Thank you as always for your support, enjoy the game. PUSB
Prior to kickoff, there will be a minute of silence. A bugler will play the Last Post and representatives of the Armed Forces will be present at the pitch. The Club is donating these shirts to raise money for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, and players will be wearing the Poppy on the front of their shirts. Information about how fans can support this fundraising effort will be confirmed soon. In addition, there will be donation stations available for fans to make around the arena. Poppies will be sold by collectors.
Leave a Reply