Supporters Group and Businessmen Launch Bid to Buy Coventry City and Return Club to the Ricoh

A group of Coventry City supporters and businessmen have launched a bid to buy the Sky Blues from owners Sisu, buy with a separate offer also put forward which would see the team start next season at the Ricoh Arena.

The Coventry Telegraph reported that the group, fronted by the Keep Cov in Cov (KCIC) supporters group, have made an offer for the club and the “golden share”, which allows the team to compete in the Football League.

The second offer is for the group to pay the club’s rent and matchday costs at the Ricoh Arena for the next three seasons, which would see the team return to their home after playing at Northampton’s home last year.

Michael Orton, who heads KCIC, said: “Everyone we talk to just wants the Sky Blues to return home but there is no sign of any movement at all.

“Many fans are giving up on CCFC and we are losing the next generation of supporters. Something has got to change so we have put together a plan that allows us to return to the Ricoh at no cost or risk to Sisu.

“The key point is that our first home League game of the season against Sheffield United, and the Capital One Cup home tie against Cardiff City the same week, can both kick off at the Ricoh without any cost or risk to Sisu at all. We desperately hope Sisu will respond positively.”

Not for sale

The club later issued a statement that read: ‘While Coventry City Football Club acknowledges receipt of a letter, the club wishes to make clear that it is not for sale.’

Returning to the Ricoh could help the struggling club attract sponsorship deals after partners left following the move to Northampton.

It has been reported that KCIC have £1m to cover the rent and matchday costs and would only need the club to reimburse them if attendances at the Ricoh went above 5,000 – more than double the average at Sixfields last year.