deanocity3
New Member
August 11th 2013 will be remembered for two things by the wonderfully loyal members of the Sky Blue family in a day that was at once emotional, poignant, in parts exhilarating and, results-wise, ultimately satisfying. The national media this morning are starting to learn something profound about the passion and integrity of Coventry support for its football.
First, many (variously reported as between 5-8000) were at the Ricoh, determined to see a team in Sky Blue take the field in CCFC’s Coventry home, kicking off at 2 pm. They were rewarded with an immensely entertaining game between a Sky Blue Legends Team and a Midland All Star XI put together by by the Association where the boys in Sky Blue ran out winners by 8-3.
Second, though the large majority of the fans chose to remain in Coventry on the day of the Club’s first ‘home’ League One fixture against Bristol City (appalled at the owner’s decision to ground share with Northampton Town) around 1000 City fans were both inside and outside the Sixfields stadium to support the Sky Blues manager and team. Those that could not bear to miss supporting the Sky Blues in the flesh were also rewarded with a nail biting 5-4 victory in what was by all accounts a nine goal thriller. From 3pm onwards, for most supporters at the Ricoh, though their bodies were watching the Sky Blues stars of the past, at least part of their thoughts were focussed on fortunes 35 miles away where the largely youthful team of the present were performing. CCFPA’s m/c for the day Billy Bell cheered the Ricoh crowd by announcing a 3-0 lead for the Sky Blues first team by the time the weary Legends finally left the pitch after completing their exertions.
For perfectly honourable reasons different Coventrians by birth or commitment have made their own personal choices as how best to support CCFC during the Club’s period of distress and this, no doubt, included some members and committee members of the Association. The support at Sixfields directly showed the Sky Blues team (including CCFPA members, manager Steve Pressley and coach Steve Ogrizovic) that their efforts were appreciated, particularly their willingness to keep battling for the league points throughout the ninety minutes. This level of support will, no doubt be much greatly amplified at each of the Sky Blues’ true away fixtures during the season.
Though strong feelings against the owners of the Club were fully aired at the Ricoh in a remarkably restrained and responsible display of passion by the Sky Blue Army the Charity Day provided an opportunity for our fans to come to terms with their complex feelings about the separation of the Club from its home. The overwhelming feel of the day was a posive affirmation of what can be achieved through co-operation, a shared sense of community and a respect for footballing heritage. This was exemplified by the warm memories and camaraderie generated by the game both on an off the pitch. Above all we have to thank all the players for voluntarily giving up their time and energies (despite the inevitable aching muscles and swollen knees) for Charity. The efforts and skills shown both by our former professionals (most of whom learnt their trade before the big money came in to the game and distorted its values) and our various passionate amateur guests reminded us that football, at its best, is about friendly and sportsmanlike competition and ‘belonging’ to a united Club firmly rooted in it’s community. Thanks too to all those who volunteered their time, often at short notice, to get the day planned, organised and delivered so effectively and in such a friendly spirit and were such a help to the organisers, CCFPA, SBT and the Diamond Club and to all those organisations that sponsored various aspects of the event.
We all have to hope that in their different ways the two games of August 11th 2013 will be remembered as the day when all parties in contention about the Club’s future are reminded about what can be achieved when everyone Sky Blue is united in common purpose. The sense of community reawakened at the Ricoh on Sunday must be nurtured and encouraged by those responsible for deciding the Club ‘s future fortunes – the momentum achieved must not be allowed to wither away! Let’s all strive to make this the start of something better for CCFC and the Sky Blue family!
First, many (variously reported as between 5-8000) were at the Ricoh, determined to see a team in Sky Blue take the field in CCFC’s Coventry home, kicking off at 2 pm. They were rewarded with an immensely entertaining game between a Sky Blue Legends Team and a Midland All Star XI put together by by the Association where the boys in Sky Blue ran out winners by 8-3.
Second, though the large majority of the fans chose to remain in Coventry on the day of the Club’s first ‘home’ League One fixture against Bristol City (appalled at the owner’s decision to ground share with Northampton Town) around 1000 City fans were both inside and outside the Sixfields stadium to support the Sky Blues manager and team. Those that could not bear to miss supporting the Sky Blues in the flesh were also rewarded with a nail biting 5-4 victory in what was by all accounts a nine goal thriller. From 3pm onwards, for most supporters at the Ricoh, though their bodies were watching the Sky Blues stars of the past, at least part of their thoughts were focussed on fortunes 35 miles away where the largely youthful team of the present were performing. CCFPA’s m/c for the day Billy Bell cheered the Ricoh crowd by announcing a 3-0 lead for the Sky Blues first team by the time the weary Legends finally left the pitch after completing their exertions.
For perfectly honourable reasons different Coventrians by birth or commitment have made their own personal choices as how best to support CCFC during the Club’s period of distress and this, no doubt, included some members and committee members of the Association. The support at Sixfields directly showed the Sky Blues team (including CCFPA members, manager Steve Pressley and coach Steve Ogrizovic) that their efforts were appreciated, particularly their willingness to keep battling for the league points throughout the ninety minutes. This level of support will, no doubt be much greatly amplified at each of the Sky Blues’ true away fixtures during the season.
Though strong feelings against the owners of the Club were fully aired at the Ricoh in a remarkably restrained and responsible display of passion by the Sky Blue Army the Charity Day provided an opportunity for our fans to come to terms with their complex feelings about the separation of the Club from its home. The overwhelming feel of the day was a posive affirmation of what can be achieved through co-operation, a shared sense of community and a respect for footballing heritage. This was exemplified by the warm memories and camaraderie generated by the game both on an off the pitch. Above all we have to thank all the players for voluntarily giving up their time and energies (despite the inevitable aching muscles and swollen knees) for Charity. The efforts and skills shown both by our former professionals (most of whom learnt their trade before the big money came in to the game and distorted its values) and our various passionate amateur guests reminded us that football, at its best, is about friendly and sportsmanlike competition and ‘belonging’ to a united Club firmly rooted in it’s community. Thanks too to all those who volunteered their time, often at short notice, to get the day planned, organised and delivered so effectively and in such a friendly spirit and were such a help to the organisers, CCFPA, SBT and the Diamond Club and to all those organisations that sponsored various aspects of the event.
We all have to hope that in their different ways the two games of August 11th 2013 will be remembered as the day when all parties in contention about the Club’s future are reminded about what can be achieved when everyone Sky Blue is united in common purpose. The sense of community reawakened at the Ricoh on Sunday must be nurtured and encouraged by those responsible for deciding the Club ‘s future fortunes – the momentum achieved must not be allowed to wither away! Let’s all strive to make this the start of something better for CCFC and the Sky Blue family!