Coventry v Huddersfield called off [BBC]

r00fie1

r00fie1

Well-known member

Coventry City v Huddersfield Town: Game called off as Sky Blues start work on pitch​

Last updated on

24 minutes ago24 minutes ago.From the section Coventry

The CBS Arena pitch was used for 65 games of rugby sevens during the Commonwealth Games
The CBS Arena pitch was used for 65 games of rugby sevens during the Commonwealth Games
Coventry City have postponed Saturday's home game against Huddersfield as they start work on the pitch at their Wasps-owned Coventry Building Society Arena.

It is City's third postponement this season following pitch damage caused by hosting rugby sevens matches at the stadium during the Commonwealth Games.
The English Football League says it considered the fixture being played at Huddersfield's John Smith's Stadium.
But that was deemed not possible given the timescales involved.

The EFL added that it "welcomes the news that the club and the CBS Arena have accepted the recommendations of internationally-recognised sports turf experts to undertake a re-lay of substantial parts of the pitch to try and avoid further issues for the remainder of the season."

The Sky Blues have so far postponed home games against Wigan Athletic and Rotherham United, and the Carabao Cup first-round tie with Bristol City - which was switched at short notice to Burton Albion's Pirelli Stadium.

All parties are hoping that the work will be completed in time for City's next scheduled home game, against Preston North End in a fortnight's time (Wednesday 31 August).

City have issued a statement to say that the work will cost a six-figure sum to put right - and the key issue will be who foots the bill at their rented home, which was bought by Premiership rugby club Wasps, with the help of Coventry City Council, in December 2014.

West Midlands mayor Andy Street was brought in to help mediate to between City and their financially-challenged landlords - in what is just the latest disagreement between the two clubs.

"I hope that Championship football can resume at the CBS as quickly as possible," Street said in a statement.

"A number of conversations have taken place and I am pleased to confirm that progress has been made. Coventry City and Wasps appear to have found a solution.

"As mayor, I've always been willing to try to play my part in helping to step in and resolve disputes across our region."
On Monday, City chief executive Dave Boddy urged the rugby club to lay a new pitch as soon as possible.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Coventry City and Wasps have had a fractious relationship for years.

Lengthy legal battles over the ownership of the stadium led to Coventry City leaving the arena in 2019 to play in Birmingham.

Andy Street was the man who mediated to bring the Sky Blues back to Coventry in 2021.

He was also installed as the man responsible for "dispute resolution" as part of that agreement.

It appears he's successfully mediated once again - for now. But the football club has stated they plan to pursue landlords Wasps for lost income as a result of their postponed fixtures. Street's work might not be done just yet.

1660757088059.png
 
Last edited:
JM14 said:
Why? it’s hardly their fault
Click to expand...

Of course it is.

Their stadium situation is their own problem.

That's 3 league matches in a row they've had postponed.

The fact they don't own their own stadium and have been left in this situation is their fault, not the other clubs that are being inconvenienced and disadvantaged.
 
Was at the Commonwealth games Rugby Sevens on the Saturday and Sunday. It was obvious the pitch was ruined by the number of games that was played on it over such a short period of time.Just looked it up 49 games in total. Crazy! Who could possibly know the pitch would be ruined after that?
As we left the stadium we said the turf would have to be completely relaid before any football could be played on it
 
TeaCider said:
Of course it is.

Their stadium situation is their own problem.

That's 3 league matches in a row they've had postponed.

The fact they don't own their own stadium and have been left in this situation is their fault, not the other clubs that are being inconvenienced and disadvantaged.
Click to expand...
They share a stadium which isn’t owned by them which has had 60 games of rugby played on it over the summer, it’s the FAs fault for not scheduling them to be away the first 5 games. It’s obvious the pitch wouldn’t be ready, not sure what else the club can do apart from build a new stadium with a months notice
 
Quite ridiculous and very unprofessional by Coventry, not to mention it could be construed as cheating allowing their team to gain fitness etc. I’m sure the FA will step in as they have an obligation to meet the fixture schedule.
 
Expat Smoggie said:
Quite ridiculous and very unprofessional by Coventry, not to mention it could be construed as cheating allowing their team to gain fitness etc. I’m sure the FA will step in as they have an obligation to meet the fixture schedule.
Click to expand...
Don’t think they have much to gain by having a few weeks rest at the start of the season
 
JM14 said:
They share a stadium which isn’t owned by them which has had 60 games of rugby played on it over the summer, it’s the FAs fault for not scheduling them to be away the first 5 games. It’s obvious the pitch wouldn’t be ready, not sure what else the club can do apart from build a new stadium with a months notice
Click to expand...

I'm well aware of why they can't play games on it.

The fact they're sharing a stadium is still their own fault, they're not the only club in the Championship to do so.

Presumably Coventry didn't ask the EFL to schedule their first 5 games away from home, or didn't make a strong enough case for why it should be done.

The EFL have already said they'll investigate the circumstances before determining the consequences of the repeated postponements.
 
TeaCider said:
I'm well aware of why they can't play games on it.

The fact they're sharing a stadium is still their own fault, they're not the only club in the Championship to do so.

Presumably Coventry didn't ask the EFL to schedule their first 5 games away from home, or didn't make a strong enough case for why it should be done.

The EFL have already said they'll investigate the circumstances before determining the consequences of the repeated postponements.
Click to expand...
I’m sure the efl rejected their request to play the first few games away. Sure a bit of common sense could have prevented it being a problem
 
JM14 said:
Don’t think they have much to gain by having a few weeks rest at the start of the season
Click to expand...
If they sign a few players in the coming weeks then they’ll potentially have a stronger squad to pick from for the games they should have already played .. Not a level playing field at all (pardon the terrible pun)
 
Teesste said:
If they sign a few players in the coming weeks then they’ll potentially have a stronger squad to pick from for the games they should have already played .. Not a level playing field at all (pardon the terrible pun)
Click to expand...
Playing twice a week for months to come to catch up the fixtures will likely hurt them more. Plus they will loose their two star players by the end of the window anyway, better for them to play as many games now before they go
 
TeaCider said:
I'm well aware of why they can't play games on it.

The fact they're sharing a stadium is still their own fault, they're not the only club in the Championship to do so.

Presumably Coventry didn't ask the EFL to schedule their first 5 games away from home, or didn't make a strong enough case for why it should be done.

The EFL have already said they'll investigate the circumstances before determining the consequences of the repeated postponements.
Click to expand...
Didn't spurs ask the prem to give them a few games away at the start when their new stadium was being built? The other teams are going to be fuming. They'll end up playing midweek then have to play teams at the weekend with 6 days rest.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top