ON June 19, 2013, Coventry United FC were formed by four local businessmen following their takeover of Coventry Spartans.
Playing in Coventry’s civic colours of red and green, with Lady Godiva on their badge, the club have achieved three promotions since their formation a decade ago.
In their first competitive game on August 10, 2013, United beat Leamington Hibernian 6-2 as Dan Stokes finished the game with a five-goal haul.
The team would go on to finish as runners-up in the Midland Combination Division Two league that season, scoring 105 goals on their way to promotion.
And a second successive promotion would follow in 2014/15, along with success in the Presidents Cup as Coventry beat Knowle 4-2 in the final.
Coventry reached the Midland Football League Premier Division the following season as they scored 123 goals to storm to the Division One league title.
Since then, the club have remained at step five in the non-league pyramid with seven successive top-10 finishes and currently play in the United Counties League Premier Division South.
The club will celebrate their 10-year anniversary with a friendly against National League side Kidderminster Harriers on Saturday, July 15 with kick-off at 3pm at Butts Park Arena.
Coventry played at the Alan Higgs Centre upon their formation before then groundsharing with Coventry Sphinx and now play at Butts Park Arena which is the home of Coventry Rugby Club.
The original owners sold the club to local businessman Joe Haggarty in 2020 who then sold Coventry to long-term supporter Nigel Ward in 2022.
Ward helped stabilise the club following the Covid-19 pandemic before stepping aside which allowed Michael Kavanagh to take over as chairman with John Goodman vice chairman.
Several former Coventry City players have turned out for United, most notably Cameroon international Patrick Suffo, along with Kevin Thornton, Ben Mackey and Michael Quirke.
Looking to the future, the club will field an under-21’s side next season as United attempt to create a pathway from the junior section all the way to the first team.
Ward said: “A year on from the beginning of a new dawn at Coventry United, the Red and Greens are on the front foot once again thanks to the determination of our new ownership group and the support of our unbelievable fanbase.
“This year we celebrate 10 years of fan-driven football, friendship and family entertainment, with the introduction of our new under-18 and under-21 teams, as well as a burning desire to build on last season’s first team achievements.
“And you can join us on our journey throughout the 2023/24 campaign and help create a pathway for young, aspiring footballers from across our city.”
