The notion that Coventry City might build a new stadium at the Brandon Stadium seems somewhat far fetched after a statement issued by the owners on the Coventry Bees website.
The notion that Coventry City might build a new stadium at the Brandon Stadium seems somewhat far fetched after a statement issued by the owners on the Coventry Bees website.
They state, ‘Further to our previous announcement regarding the sale of the freehold for the Coventry Stadium site and continued press speculation we would like to make the following statement. The freehold remains available for sale and, whilst we have had several parties show interest in securing the freehold for the site, only one has continued to show interest given the existing leases for speedway, greyhounds and stock cars.’
‘The confidential nature of negotiations needs to be maintained. As such, we will not confirm or release the details of the potential buyer. However, to stop further speculation from fans of the various sports which take place in the stadium these will all continue to operate at the Brandon site until 2023 and hopefully well beyond that date.’
‘When we have further news regarding the land deal to release we will do so. Until then, we hope the above statement will reassure the public of our intentions to see the anchor tenants at the stadium continue for years to come.’
Rugby Borough Council has issued a statement in response to the Sky Blues move for Brandon, which is within the borough of Rugby: ‘Rugby Borough Council is aware of speculation linking Coventry City Football Club with Brandon Stadium. The council can confirm that there have not been any discussions with Coventry City Football Club, or any agent or associated companies, regarding the club’s potential occupation of Brandon Stadium or the planning implications that may result.’
In an ideal world the owners of Coventry City would come to an agreement to continue using the Ricoh because an alternative stadium in Coventry is going to take more than three years to build. In the meantime the Sky Blues will be exiled and will lose support and hence risk becoming even less successful.