Coventry City face a race against time to secure a new ten-year agreement to stay at the CBS Arena or face being issued with a fine.
Club owner Doug King secured a five year extension to continue playing at the stadium owned by Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group in April 2023 following cordial but protracted talks for several months, with the sticking point at the time understood to have been over the annual rent.
As a result of the club’s historical stadium issues, the EFL have introduced a new rule to ensure football clubs have secure tenancy agreements in place at stadiums where they don’t own the ground.
Therefore, two years down the line from that interim agreement the Sky Blues have just a couple of months to agree a new long-term arrangement.
King was asked for clarity on the lease of the stadium at the club’s latest Coventry City Supporters’ Forum held between representatives from the majority of the supporters groups – of which there at least 15.
The minutes from the meeting reveal that King stated that: “…by the end of this season it is a requirement to have a 10-year agreement in place or we shall receive a fine.”
Chief operations officer John Taylor added: “The Arena owners are aware of Doug King’s long-term plan, and we continue to invest in the Arena.”
King, of course, attempted buy the stadium when he first took over the club, only to be beaten by Ashley’s Frasers Group, and holds the view that the football club and arena should eventually become one.
Taylor, meanwhile, revealed: “From next week, the club will take control of the CBS Arena pitch to give consistency across both Ryton (training ground) and the stadium.”
King confirmed the strong working relationship with the CBS Arena which, he said, “has helped us make positive changes to the matchday experience which we are continually looking to improve and enhance.”
Asked if there is a plan or timeline of the work being done/due to be undertaken at the Arena following comments on fan forums regarding cleanliness or parts of the ground that need updating/ upgrading, Taylor stated: “The club have invested in the pitch, safe standing, the matchday activity area and branding across all areas. The cleaning comes down to the Arena which has improved but is still being worked on.
“We upgraded some hospitality seats over last summer, as well as the PA system, but this still is not ideal and will need more investment along with the floodlights. It all comes down to prioritising.”
When asked about ripped seats and the roof of the bowl still leaking, Taylor said that those will be looked at again.
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