COVENTRY City have been promoted as League One champions.
Two long-awaited votes by EFL clubs today have confirmed City’s return to the second tier after eight years – in the most bizarre circumstances.
Mark Robins’ team were top of League One when games were suspended in March due to the coronavirus outbreak – seven points above the play-off places with a game in hand on rivals.
All three EFL leagues voted this morning to allow a permanent rule change which states that, should any of the leagues have to cut short their season mid-way through, a Points Per Game (PPG) calculation should be used to decide the usual promotion, relegation and play-off places.
That was followed this afternoon by League One clubs voting by a majority in favour of ending the season.
Many clubs including Coventry City were concerned about the six-figure costs or bringing players back from furlough to compete fixtures behind closed doors without revenue from match receipts.
League One’s relatively big and financially well-placed clubs – including Sunderland and Peterborough – had hoped to play on with their teams placed just outside the four play-off positions on the PPG calculation.
Second placed Rotherham are also promoted.
It is the second promotion in three years for the Sky Blues under Robins after relegation three seasons ago.
The feat is all the more remarkable given the Ricoh Arena dispute which resulted in the club playing home fixtures at Birmingham City’s St Andrew’s ground this season.
An EFL statement this afternoon said the League One vote to curtail the season was by an “overwhelming majority”.
It adds:
“As a result, the final League standings have now been confirmed meaning that Coventry City have been confirmed as Champions with Rotherham United securing the second automatic promotion place to the Championship.
“Wycombe Wanderers, Oxford United, Portsmouth and Fleetwood Town will contest the Sky Bet Play-Offs with the schedule to be announced in due course, while Tranmere Rovers, Southend United and Bolton Wanderers will start the 2020/21 season in League Two.”
A statement of CCFC’s website reads:
“We are absolutely delighted to win the title and to be promoted to the Championship, following an incredible season for Manager Mark Robins, the Coventry City players and staff and all of the Sky Blue Army.
“There has been scintillating and exciting football, and many great moments, performances and victories that will be remembered and celebrated for many years to come as part of this title winning campaign, where the team has only lost three games in the League 1 season – the last being in December.
“While undoubtably deserved, the circumstances of our promotion and League 1 title are unique due to the Coronavirus pandemic that has sadly curtailed this campaign. Our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by this situation, particularly those who have lost loved ones. Our celebrations are tinged with sadness for all those who have lost their lives, and our gratitude is with all of the carers and key workers for their incredible efforts and dedication during this unprecedented time.
“Coventry City fans everywhere, the City of Coventry and our local community will rightly want to celebrate the Club’s League 1 victory and our return to the Championship for the first time since 2012. However, we urge fans not to congregate at this time and to continue to adhere to the Government advice around the Coronavirus and social distancing.
“The Club will shortly be announcing details of a live, online streamed Promotion Party which fans and players will be able to join in with remotely, so that we can all celebrate our League 1 victory together – while staying apart.
“Further information regarding existing Season Tickets and next season will also be communicated when possible.
“Everyone at Coventry City Football Club would like to take this opportunity to thank our fans for their dedication and support throughout this season, whether at ‘home’ or away games up and down the country.
“Together we have all overcome many challenges this season on and off the field and enjoyed fantastic football and great moments.
“Today we announce winning the League One Title and promotion to the Championship – it is a great day.
”Our fans deserve this, our players deserve this, our staff deserve this, our Football Club deserves this.
“Play Up Sky Blues – Going Up Sky Blues!”
