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Coventry plan to build a new stadium

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The Great MES said:
Did you leave Highfield Road to renting The Ricoh straight away or did you fall on hard times and have to sell it and rent it back?
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Highfield Road wasn’t in the most desirable area, it’s sale didn’t raise a great deal. It was sold to a property developer and rented back from them for the last couple of years we played there. When it came to building the Ricoh the club simply couldn’t afford to do it so the costs were met jointly by the City Council and a local charity. Sisu took over our club with an option to buy all or part ownership of the arena however weren’t prepared to pay the asking price, there sole aim has always been to distress the owners and pick up the arena on the cheap, hence the move to Northampton. They thought they were the only show in town but the Council sold to Wasps RFC. So much ill feeling between Sisu, the Council and Wasps with our club caught up in the middle of it all.
 

Super Skyblue said:
Highfield Road wasn’t in the most desirable area, it’s sale didn’t raise a great deal. It was sold to a property developer and rented back from them for the last couple of years we played there. When it came to building the Ricoh the club simply couldn’t afford to do it so the costs were met jointly by the City Council and a local charity. Sisu took over our club with an option to buy all or part ownership of the arena however weren’t prepared to pay the asking price, there sole aim has always been to distress the owners and pick up the arena on the cheap, hence the move to Northampton. They thought they were the only show in town but the Council sold to Wasps RFC. So much ill feeling between Sisu, the Council and Wasps with our club caught up in the middle of it all.
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Christ :eek: :eek:
 
the earl percy said:
Would I be right in saying any potential Warwick university site would be as far from the town centre as the Ricoh ,so a lack of pubs etc for the match day experience .I personally think a stadium within walking distance of town is a distinct advantage ,both us and the Mags have this
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Yes, you’re spot on. The Ricoh is about 3 miles from the city centre with very few decent pubs in the area. This Warwick University site is in a semi rural site about a similar distance from town but on the other side of the city. This wouldn’t do anything to enhance our matchday experience.
Sbarcher said:
Don't think so with the involvement of Warwick Uni. Hopefully put the shits up Wasps and Cov City Council who have favoured a London rugby team over the local football club.
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Don’t wish to argue on this forum but Sisu had stated on many occasions that they were leaving the Ricoh to build their own stadium long before the Council sold to Wasps. They played a game of poker and lost.
I am Boss said:
Should never have left Highfield Road.
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Hindsight is a wonderful thing but you are dead right.
 
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Super Skyblue said:
Highfield Road wasn’t in the most desirable area, it’s sale didn’t raise a great deal. It was sold to a property developer and rented back from them for the last couple of years we played there. When it came to building the Ricoh the club simply couldn’t afford to do it so the costs were met jointly by the City Council and a local charity. Sisu took over our club with an option to buy all or part ownership of the arena however weren’t prepared to pay the asking price, there sole aim has always been to distress the owners and pick up the arena on the cheap, hence the move to Northampton. They thought they were the only show in town but the Council sold to Wasps RFC. So much ill feeling between Sisu, the Council and Wasps with our club caught up in the middle of it all.
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Bloody hell. I didn't realise it was so complex
 
If this happens it will be a sort of justice. Particularly as regards the Ricoh Landlords who have been a warning to any other clubs thinking that renting a stadium is the thing to do to take your club to the next level.
 
the earl percy said:
Would I be right in saying any potential Warwick university site would be as far from the town centre as the Ricoh ,so a lack of pubs etc for the match day experience .I personally think a stadium within walking distance of town is a distinct advantage ,both us and the Mags have this
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Having played cricket at Warwick University (albeit a long while ago), it's got poorer transit links than the Ricoh (difficult as that seems), as it's on the other side of the city from the M6, and zero local amenities, apart from the campus, which is hardly going to welcome away fans with open arms.
 
Grumpy Old Man said:
Having played cricket at Warwick University (albeit a long while ago), it's got poorer transit links than the Ricoh (difficult as that seems), as it's on the other side of the city from the M6, and zero local amenities, apart from the campus, which is hardly going to welcome away fans with open arms.
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Makes me glad we didnt end up at the nissan site
Grumpy Old Man said:
Having played cricket at Warwick University (albeit a long while ago), it's got poorer transit links than the Ricoh (difficult as that seems), as it's on the other side of the city from the M6, and zero local amenities, apart from the campus, which is hardly going to welcome away fans with open arms.
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Imaging being a worse sport than the ricoh ,I know when I've been to Coventry ,that Highfield road was walkable from the town .It was lucky for us the nissan site wasnt to be .All these smart planners think of car parks a d motorways ,however the normal working lad likes a few bottles of double and a walk to the ground
 
Super Skyblue said:
Yes, you’re spot on. The Ricoh is about 3 miles from the city centre with very few decent pubs in the area. This Warwick University site is in a semi rural site about a similar distance from town but on the other side of the city. This wouldn’t do anything to enhance our matchday experience.

Don’t wish to argue on this forum but Sisu had stated on many occasions that they were leaving the Ricoh to build their own stadium long before the Council sold to Wasps. They played a game of poker and lost.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing but you are dead right.
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The Sovereign would be walking distance! That’s an experience at best of times.Some decent kenilworth pubs in walking distance too mind. Not sure what advantage the uni gets unless they’re hoping for a railway station.
 
Exapno Mapcase said:
New owners selling our ground to raise money and then entering into a rental agreement is one of my biggest fears for our club. Wonder if it can be identified as a community asset to protect it?

Whilst I have no love for Coventry, the football club or the city, it is atrocious that they and their fans have lost their 'home' from what originally seemed like a position of strength. It can happen to almost any club with unscrupulous owners.
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Hmm can’t see many investors queuing up to buy land in Sunderland, it’s not exactly at a premium.
 
the earl percy said:
Imaging being a worse sport than the ricoh ,I know when I've been to Coventry ,that Highfield road was walkable from the town .It was lucky for us the nissan site wasnt to be .All these smart planners think of car parks a d motorways ,however the normal working lad likes a few bottles of double and a walk to the ground
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They're looking at a new rail link and road access - think they are tinkering with the roads around the area too (tweaking re: HS2 or some such malarkey). If it happens, the surrounding area is more rural than the Ricoh, and you may have to join the NUS to get cheap drinks on campus!!
 
SkyblueHarry said:
They're looking at a new rail link and road access - think they are tinkering with the roads around the area too (tweaking re: HS2 or some such malarkey). If it happens, the surrounding area is more rural than the Ricoh, and you may have to join the NUS to get cheap drinks on campus!!
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Drinks schminks. I joined three times in the 80s to get cheap flights to America. Corblimey University, Old Kent Road iiirc.
 
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