MONTHS of campaigning by Sky Blues fans may have gone in vain as the League One club look set to play their first home match in Northampton.
A deal has been agreed to bring the cash-strapped club back to the Ricoh despite growing pressure from fans who took to the streets of the city centre in large numbers last month.
But there remains a glimmer of hope as talks between the club and the council are thought to have resumed this week with both parties remaining silent on the issue.
It comes after the Football League confirmed on Friday a fee of £471,192 will be paid to stadium owners Arena Coventry Limited (ACL) to cover administrations costs last summer.
This was one of two major obstacles blocking any chance of agreeing a new interim deal at the Ricoh. The other being the club’s decision to challenge the judicial review the club lost after challenging the council’s bailout.
And although it seems the appeal will go ahead, a week of silence could be a hint that an eagerly anticipated return could still remain possible.
“No news is good news,” said Jan Mokrzycki, spokesman of the Sky Blue Trust, who helped organise a protest in front of the TV cameras at the match against Cardiff City last night (Wednesday).
“We’re obviously very disappointed to be kicking off our first home league fixture at Sixfields this Saturday.
“But we remain hopeful that a deal to return the Sky Blues back to the Coventry can be agreed.
“We hope the silence this week means both parties are talking once again and all fans remain hopeful that a resolution will be found.”
Football League chief executive Shaun Harvey said: “This has been a complex and unwelcome disagreement within a wider, more significant dispute.
“By concluding this matter, we can now allow all parties to concentrate on the more important issue of getting Coventry City playing its matches back in Coventry at the earliest opportunity.”
Sky Blues chief executive Tim Fisher added: “Our job is to get the club back to Coventry, which is something every single supporter wants to see, whilst ensuring the financial stability of the club.”
