Highfield Road Or The Ricoh ? (8 Viewers)

[Houchens Head]

Been a City supporter since I saw my first match at HR in 1963 as a snotty 10 year old. Went to countless hundreds of matches since then - although not for some time due to my location - and always loved the HR atmosphere, especially the West End. I continued throughout the years and worked as a steward in the West Stand for a number of years, well into the 1990's, as well. But time cannot stand still. And as Jonah and the Whale once sang, "Life Goes On". My heart broke when I heard that HR was to be demolished and then when I read reports and saw the pictures, my heart sank. I even had two tickets to go to the first game at the Ricoh against QPR (which incidentally, today is the 13th anniversary of that game) and I gave them away to a mate of mine. I just couldn't face seeing my beloved City at "home" in Longford. But time heals wounds and I feel privileged to have witnessed some cracking games against top teams at HR, but now the Ricoh is our home (for however long) and we must cherish it.

 

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[Otis]

Been a City supporter since I saw my first match at HR in 1963 as a snotty 10 year old. Went to countless hundreds of matches since then - although not for some time due to my location - and always loved the HR atmosphere, especially the West End. I continued throughout the years and worked as a steward in the West Stand for a number of years, well into the 1990's, as well. But time cannot stand still. And as Jonah and the Whale once sang, "Life Goes On". My heart broke when I heard that HR was to be demolished and then when I read reports and saw the pictures, my heart sank. I even had two tickets to go to the first game at the Ricoh against QPR (which incidentally, today is the 13th anniversary of that game) and I gave them away to a mate of mine. I just couldn't face seeing my beloved City at "home" in Longford. But time heals wounds and I feel privileged to have witnessed some cracking games against top teams at HR,

but now the Ricoh is our home (for however long) and we must cherish it.

Yup. Exactly.

 

[Cranfield Sky Blue]

Interesting comments! Nearly as old as old Sky Blue so I will keep it short.

HR was great in that I saw so many great games and players who would be worth tens of millions today but you’d see them in the pub having a beer. Premier League (Division One) games when we beat the big boys were extra special. Loved the night games walking up from a few tasters in town. Taking my lads to their first games.

But. Shit seats. Shit bar/food. Shit view at times. Shit football in front of shit crowds. Yes even in the top leagues.

The Ricoh. I loved it when we first went there! Good crowds in the Championship (Division Two). Some cracking games. Wolves and the penalty save in the last minute etc. League One (Division Three). Can hardly remember a day out worthy of mention! Last year got better. But only because we were winning!

The match day experience is comparable. Beers with my mates and my kids? Wouldn’t matter where we played! A good win or wonder goal we witnessed? Don’t matter.

Oh and I lied about keeping it short.

PUSB. Wherever that is!

 

[matesx]

Cant see me ever cherishing the Ricoh.

For me its just so damn bland.

Still there majority of home games mind....

 

[Nick]

Oxford was newish but had an arcade next door where you collect tickets for a prize.

Takes some beating

 

[bringbackrattles]

So it looks like Highfield Road wins over the Ricoh. Not surprising really as it was our home for decades. But its like still having feelings for an ex girlfriend who's moved on, you have to accept its over and move on too. But to me Highfield Road is Coventry City, its where Jimmy Hill came and started his revolution. But the Ricoh ain't all that bad and when we get back to the Championship it will be full and with proper atmosphere !

 

[Grendel]

But you seemed happy before to move and play at Meriden or Solihull or wherever it was, or 10's of miles away from Coventry. What about Meriden as a loaction for the vast majority of supporters?

It is what it is. I have never moaned about it. If we move to Baginton, we move to Baginton and I will just go and watch them there.

I don't get what the moaning is for. We were at HR and I watched them there. They moved to the Ricoh and I watched them there. If we move somewhere else on the outskirts of the city I will watch them there.

After all these years I don't get why anyone would still be moaning about the location. The football is the number one thing. Much further for me to travel (parking restrictions make it thus), but I have never moaned. Took me 50 mins to walk on Saturday and if that's what I have to do, that's what I have to do.

The moaning is to do with the absurdly restricted parking and the entrance and exit from the ground.

A lot of people like ease of parking, a drink and a walk up to the ground.

Also as I’ve said the facilities inside are beyond a joke. The queuing is absurd.

I never liked it from day 1 and it’s getting worse. It looks shabby as well compared to most grounds if it’s age. It’s an ugly monstrosity.

Even the walk round takes forever due to idiotic design and walkways.

 

[Mcbean]

So it looks like Highfield Road wins over the Ricoh. Not surprising really as it was our home for decades. But its like still having feelings for an ex girlfriend who's moved on, you have to accept its over and move on too. But to me Highfield Road is Coventry City, its where Jimmy Hill came and started his revolution. But the Ricoh ain't all that bad and when we get back to the Premiership it will be full and with proper atmosphere !

Just edited to make it right

 

[Hobo]

Nostalgia isn't what it used to be.

Dowells Field Stoke Green all day long

 

[pusbccfc]

The moaning is to do with the absurdly restricted parking and the entrance and exit from the ground.

A lot of people like ease of parking, a drink and a walk up to the ground.

Also as I’ve said the facilities inside are beyond a joke. The queuing is absurd.

I never liked it from day 1 and it’s getting worse. It looks shabby as well compared to most grounds if it’s age. It’s an ugly monstrosity.

Even the walk round takes forever due to idiotic design and walkways.

This is true. Needs a lot of refurb on the external parts of the stadium.

Even the land around the ground is overgrown and looks poor.

 

[COVKIDSNEVERQUIT]

Parking was easier at highfield road?!

As long as the fans didn't park in front of your house.

 

[Paxman II]

What are you on about? Location is a disaster. Facilities are actually worse than Highfield Road in terms of getting a drink at half time. The amenities are a joke.

I suggest your memory is fading? I'm old enough to remember HR very well. The Ricoh is by far and away a superior stadium and the location is excellent tbf. HR was stuck in the midst of housing and parking on all the streets was a disaster and for the residents a terrible inconvenience to name a few things against it. The view was largely restrictive where ever you were. I'm not suggesting the Ricoh is paved with gold but it's a modern and much finer stadium.
Now whether you prefer more boozers on the walk up and nostalia for the old days is a different matter and I can respect yjose views. There is a hotel built on the Ricoh, the coneference and concert halls, casino all of which suggest the amenities are far better so what are you on about?

 

[fernandopartridge]

I suggest your memory is fading? I'm old enough to remember HR very well. The Ricoh is by far and away a superior stadium and the location is excellent tbf. HR was stuck in the midst of housing and parking on all the streets was a disaster and for the residents a terrible inconvenience to name a few things against it. The view was largely restrictive where ever you were. I'm not suggesting the Ricoh is paved with gold but it's a modern and much finer stadium.
Now whether you prefer more boozers on the walk up and nostalia for the old days is a different matter and I can respect yjose views. There is a hotel built on the Ricoh, the coneference and concert halls, casino all of which suggest the amenities are far better so what are you on about?

What's the on street parking like around the Ricoh? Oh wait...

How is a conference hall an amenity for a local football fan? Or a casino? Or a hotel?

HR was a 10 minute walk from the city centre, amenity wise that cannot be beaten.

 

[Paxman II]

What's the on street parking like around the Ricoh? Oh wait...

How is a conference hall an amenity for a local football fan? Or a casino? Or a hotel?

HR was a 10 minute walk from the city centre, amenity wise that cannot be beaten.

Is it about the stadium comparison or the town centre?

 

[nunchuckas]

I will never get over Highfield Road, and hate the Ricoh and all similar new stadiums with a passion - which is why I prefer away games.

BUT, I haven't seen anyone mention the improvement to access since the train station became functional. I've been using it for the last 9 months or so, and it's loads easier, and is cheap and convenient. I'm surprised it's rarely more than a third full though, it makes travel from the city centre, Nuneaton and Bedworth a doddle. You can be on foot right outside the stadium, without a car to park, in 10 to 20 minutes depending on where you're travelling from. You can take a bottle on the train, have time for a drink before/after the game in the casino, or a 5 minute walk to the Cherry Tree. It's no Highfield Road, but it has made a reasonable improvement to my match day experience.

I also think what they have done with the stewarding has killed the decent (for crappy new stadium standards) atmosphere that we have created in the corner over the last year or so. Despite a decent crowd, the atmosphere at Scunthorpe and Plymouth was poor compared with last season, especially with Plymouth (and presumably more teams later this season) bringing a decent number to 'banter' with. The Luton and Lincoln games were great last season, and with even slightly increased attendances this season, we could have built on that. The ticket buying fiasco will definitely put off a few of my more casual mates from coming up to games this season on the day, especially if the atmosphere is poor again. I hope they reverse that decision soon, before it's too late and the atmosphere is terrible again.

 

[Otis]

Yeah, the train is a big, big help to many for sure.

 

[fernandopartridge]

Is it about the stadium comparison or the town centre?

Town centre? It's been a city for 600 odd years

 

[Otis]

Some even ones too.

 

[ajsccfc]

As long as the fans didn't park in front of your house.

I remember my old man covering someone's entire windscreen in duct tape for blocking us in one game, never got the satisfaction of seeing the offender painstakingly remove it

 

[Otis]

I think if HR was still here there would be heavy parking restrictions in place there too now.

 

[nicksig]

High field Road by a mile. I could walk there and loved how close we all were to the pitch and the atmosphere for big games. I hate the Ricoh. It’s soulless and could be anywhere in any city.

 

[Otis]

High field Road by a mile. I could walk there and loved how close we all were to the pitch and the atmosphere for big games. I hate the Ricoh. It’s soulless and could be anywhere in any city.

HR was soulless a lot more than not.

Some awful atmospheres at HR over many years.

If you could look back at the forums from back then fans were always moaning about the poor atmosphere there.

 

[Nick]

I know people go on about facilities and it being shiny and new but I'm not that fussed about it. I like to be close to the football and just watch the game.

Going to watch games at Nuneaton and non league type grounds is decent because you are stood pretty much next to the pitch and can get a feel for it as it goes on. A bit more intimate.

 

[Razzle Dazzle Dean Gordon]

I know people go on about facilities and it being shiny and new but I'm not that fussed about it. I like to be close to the football and just watch the game.

Going to watch games at Nuneaton and non league type grounds is decent because you are stood pretty much next to the pitch and can get a feel for it as it goes on. A bit more intimate.

We might just find ourselves at Nuneaton next season if the JR keeps rumbling on!

 

[Speedies_Chips]

HR was soulless a lot more than not.

Some awful atmospheres at HR over many years.

If you could look back at the forums from back then fans were always moaning about the poor atmosphere there.

Did Forums exist then???

 

[Otis]

Did Forums exist then???

Yep. Sure they did. I used to post on GMK.

 

[nicksig]

HR was soulless a lot more than not.

Some awful atmospheres at HR over many years.

If you could look back at the forums from back then fans were always moaning about the poor atmosphere there.

I don’t agree at all. Seeing everyone walk to the ground from across the city on match days was magic. And the ground was nearly full for most top flight matches. Yes the atmosphere could be bad for some crap midweek cup game. I remember one cold night in particular when we got knocked out the league cup by Gillingham. But on the whole it was a tight little ground and the West Terrace had a real buzz about it

 

[Razzle Dazzle Dean Gordon]

Did Forums exist then???

I remember one called Lets All Sing Togther that was good. They had a Hall of Fame/Shame area and a link to match reports via something called the 'pornolizer' that were always pretty entertaining.

 

[Otis]

I don’t agree at all. Seeing everyone walk to the ground from across the city on match days was magic. And the ground was nearly full for most top flight matches. Yes the atmosphere could be bad for some crap midweek cup game. I remember one cold night in particular when we got knocked out the league cup by Gillingham. But on the whole it was a tight little ground and the West Terrace had a real buzz about it

It was an awful atmosphere for an awful lot of the time. People were always complaining about the lack of the atmosphere there.

Seeing people walk up to the ground is a different thing entirely and I agree on that. It was lovely to see.

 

[bringbackrattles]

How about they play that heavy metal classic by Russ Abbot at games : Atmosphere ? On second thoughts !

 

[Joy Division]

Much preferred going to Highfield Road but the atmosphere there most games was dreadful unless you were in the West Terrace. If you weren't then the singing was barely audible anywhere else in the ground.

 

[Otis]

Much preferred going to Highfield Road but the atmosphere there most games was dreadful unless you were in the West Terrace. If you weren't then the singing was barely audible anywhere else in the ground.

Yep. Sad, but true.

You could almost hear a pin drop at times.

 

[olderskyblue]

Town centre? It's been a city for 600 odd years

Must have changed then...

If I went up the City, it was to watch the Sky Blues, if I went up the town, it was the city centre.

 

[Grendel]

Yep. Sad, but true.

You could almost hear a pin drop at times.

The difference is in bigger games there was far more atmosphere and intensity - even with 15,000 in the Ricoh is like a grave yard

 

[Grendel]

I suggest your memory is fading? I'm old enough to remember HR very well. The Ricoh is by far and away a superior stadium and the location is excellent tbf. HR was stuck in the midst of housing and parking on all the streets was a disaster and for the residents a terrible inconvenience to name a few things against it. The view was largely restrictive where ever you were. I'm not suggesting the Ricoh is paved with gold but it's a modern and much finer stadium.
Now whether you prefer more boozers on the walk up and nostalia for the old days is a different matter and I can respect yjose views. There is a hotel built on the Ricoh, the coneference and concert halls, casino all of which suggest the amenities are far better so what are you on about?

When you are going to a football match how are conference halls, concert halls and a hotel of any significance whatsoever?