The Football League’s Chief Executive, Shaun Harvey, has welcomed the news that Coventry City have reached agreement with Arena Coventry Limited (ACL) to return to the Ricoh Arena.
Harvey said: “Getting the two parties to this point has taken a significant amount of work over a lengthy period of time by everyone involved in this process. However, the majority of the credit should go to Coventry City and ACL, who have now agreed a mutually acceptable way forward.
“When the Football League Board gave its consent to Coventry City playing its matches in Northampton, it did so with this outcome in mind. It ensured that the Club could continue to fulfil its fixtures, and thereby remain in The Football League, while all parties focussed on resolving this complex commercial dispute. While we understand that the Board’s decision led to a significant amount of dissatisfaction amongst Coventry supporters, we would not be where we are today without it. On this basis alone, this very difficult decision has now been justified.
“I hope today is viewed as a new beginning for all the parties and that Sky Blues supporters can transfer the passion and energy they have put into their campaigning back into watching their club play in Coventry.”