Vale’s Coventry clash could be rearranged
Port Vale may see their first fixture change of the new season if Coventry City’s controversial ground-share with Northampton Town goes ahead.
Coventry are set to be taken out of administration by Otium Entertainment Group, am offshoot of SISU, the hedgefund company that took the club into administration.
Otium are expected to announce that the club will ground-share with Northampton Town for the next three years. The deal is a good one, financially, for Northampton who plan to build a new stand, hotel and carparks from the profits. However, the home fixtures of both clubs clash so it is likely that Coventry, as tenants will have to alter their fixtures – possibly to a Friday evening or Sunday.
Vale travel to “Coventry” on March 15th, the same date that Northampton play hosts to Mansfield, so if Coventry’s ground-share with Northampton is approved by the Football League, it is highly likely that the date of the Vale fixture will alter.
Coventry decided to ground-share after talks between Otium and ACL, the company that owns the Ricoh Arena broke down. Otium say the club must ground-share for three years while land for a new stadium in Coventry is purchased and a new stadium constructed. Many fans do not believe Otium have the best intentions for the club and the news that the club will not play in Coventry has been met with a storm of criticism. Many fans are expected to boycott fixtures while others have pledged their support to Coventry Sphinx, a local non-league club, instead.
Keep Coventry in Coventry
Find out more about the Coventry City supporters trust’s campaign through this link