There was some good coverage of the off-field goings on included in the match reports in the "quality" dailies - a few snippets below.
What they all highlight, is the depth of feeling that can be generated in other fans by a dignified and organised demonstration.
Guardian
Challenging as it is for the FA Cup to cling to old fashioned romantic ideals, a moment to stir the soul came off the pitch rather than on it. A televised game gave the visitors from Coventry the opportunity to publicise their plight. They came with armfuls of printed protest notes about their ordeal, exiled from the Ricoh Arena in their heartland. "Keep Cov in Cov" is the slogan, and fans held aloft their banners in the 35th minute – symbolic of the 35 miles they have to travel out of the city to play home games in Northampton – and again in the 61st minute, to mark the year that Jimmy Hill became manager. In a show of solidarity, the Coventry faithful were given a standing ovation by the Arsenal support.
Telegraph
The quality of Coventry’s manager and the football he espouses should also show Sisu, and all the people stopping Coventry returning to the Ricoh, of the club’s potential if everyone pulls in the same direction – and that direction is just off Junction Three of the M6. Not off the M1 at Northampton.
When the clock showed 35, Coventry fans increased their protests, choosing that minute to represent the number of miles from Sixfields. They held up placards saying “WHY?” demanding reasons for not being allowed to play at the Ricoh. Arsenal supporters, who had been made aware of the visitors’ plans via the REDaction group, showed solidarity in standing and applauding. Coventry fans then chanted of their desire for Sisu to quit the club, also holding up a banner that read “Wake Up Little Sisu We Gotta Get Home”. They also applauded the Arsenal fans for their support.
Times
Coventry had their moments, Carl Baker, the captain, bringing a magnificent save from Lukasz Fabianski after a brilliant run through the middle of the park, but the most memorable came in the stands. In the 35th minute, all 6,000 of the travelling fans stood up bearing banners saying “Why?” in protest at the 35-mile distance between their city and notional home ground in Northampton, a dignified gesture that received a sympathetic standing ovation from the majority of the home crowd. These long-suffering fans must be the only people who yearn to be sent to Coventry
Independent
In the stands, the 5,000 Coventry City fans were exceptional, loud throughout and with two coordinated minutes of protest against the club’s temporary relocation to Northampton. There were banners, protest songs and signs saying ‘Why?’ This was met with supportive applause from the home fans and it nearly stopped feeling like a football match.
What they all highlight, is the depth of feeling that can be generated in other fans by a dignified and organised demonstration.
Guardian
Challenging as it is for the FA Cup to cling to old fashioned romantic ideals, a moment to stir the soul came off the pitch rather than on it. A televised game gave the visitors from Coventry the opportunity to publicise their plight. They came with armfuls of printed protest notes about their ordeal, exiled from the Ricoh Arena in their heartland. "Keep Cov in Cov" is the slogan, and fans held aloft their banners in the 35th minute – symbolic of the 35 miles they have to travel out of the city to play home games in Northampton – and again in the 61st minute, to mark the year that Jimmy Hill became manager. In a show of solidarity, the Coventry faithful were given a standing ovation by the Arsenal support.
Telegraph
The quality of Coventry’s manager and the football he espouses should also show Sisu, and all the people stopping Coventry returning to the Ricoh, of the club’s potential if everyone pulls in the same direction – and that direction is just off Junction Three of the M6. Not off the M1 at Northampton.
When the clock showed 35, Coventry fans increased their protests, choosing that minute to represent the number of miles from Sixfields. They held up placards saying “WHY?” demanding reasons for not being allowed to play at the Ricoh. Arsenal supporters, who had been made aware of the visitors’ plans via the REDaction group, showed solidarity in standing and applauding. Coventry fans then chanted of their desire for Sisu to quit the club, also holding up a banner that read “Wake Up Little Sisu We Gotta Get Home”. They also applauded the Arsenal fans for their support.
Times
Coventry had their moments, Carl Baker, the captain, bringing a magnificent save from Lukasz Fabianski after a brilliant run through the middle of the park, but the most memorable came in the stands. In the 35th minute, all 6,000 of the travelling fans stood up bearing banners saying “Why?” in protest at the 35-mile distance between their city and notional home ground in Northampton, a dignified gesture that received a sympathetic standing ovation from the majority of the home crowd. These long-suffering fans must be the only people who yearn to be sent to Coventry
Independent
In the stands, the 5,000 Coventry City fans were exceptional, loud throughout and with two coordinated minutes of protest against the club’s temporary relocation to Northampton. There were banners, protest songs and signs saying ‘Why?’ This was met with supportive applause from the home fans and it nearly stopped feeling like a football match.
