21 Aug 2014
Coventry City agrees deal to make long-awaited return to the Ricoh Arena
BY Tom Anstey
English Football League One club Coventry City is set to make a return to the Ricoh Arena, agreeing a two-year deal to return to the ground after playing a full season of home games at Sixfields in Northampton.
The Sky Blues had been forced to leave the Ricoh after a long-running row over rent with stadium owners Arena Coventry (ACL), which was owed unpaid rent of more than £1m by the League One club dating back to early 2012.
Following a month of negotiations, the payment issue has been resolved and Coventry can now return to the Ricoh, with special dispensation from the Football League. An agreement will run until 2016, with the possibility of extending that deal until 2018.
The club returns to the Ricoh Arena for the first time on 6 September, when the side takes on Gillingham FC.
In a statement from the club, development director of Coventry City, Steve Waggott, said: “We are under no illusion what a difficult 12 months it has been for the supporters and that was uppermost in our thinking as we worked to get this deal done.
“There has had to be compromise on both sides and the commercial details of the deal will remain confidential.
“Now it is all about looking forward to a really exciting season back in the community and with a real chance of success. I am sure every supporter will want to give (manager) Steven Pressley, his staff and players their full backing for the season at the Ricoh.”
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