As the
Sky Blues look set to exit stage left for Northampton with the boos of the crowd ringing out for villain Sisu, a subplot has emerged that throws fresh light on the long-running pantomime.
According to a source in the front row, the chairman of the Ricoh was preparing for just such an eventuality
three years ago and had sounded out the stadium’s major sponsors.
David Allvey was apparently carrying out a loyalty-check to see if they would remain with the Ricoh if the star attraction left.
And he had a Plan B in mind if the City packed up and walked off with the ball – replace it with an oval one and bring in a top rugby side!
He didn’t need a crystal ball to see what was looming. The rent-row was getting increasing bitter and he correctly predicted there would be a parting of the ways.
In the end, he was the one to go when in May last year he quit as ACL chairman because of “policy differences” – thought to be his objection to giving further ground, in every sense, to Sisu.
Now the Sky Blues have exited and next week is due to be their first 35-mile trip to their “home” ground in Northampton.
Ironically, Northampton Saints might have been playing rugby at the Ricoh under Plan B – life without the football team.
They were part of a bold idea that would not so much have shifted the goal-posts, it would have booted them into touch.
The main target for the Ricoh was London Wasps, then unhappy with their home in High Wycombe, and tempted by the lure a 30,000 seater stadium in Coventry.
And Northampton Saints were to be offered the ground for their cup matches.
Both rugby clubs at that time had ground problems. Wasps were threatening to leave Adams Park, which they shared with Wycombe Wanderers FC, unless the council agreed to a bigger stadium.
A report to the Wycombe District Council noted ominously: “We understand that London Wasps RFC have indicated that they will seek a new home ground outside of Wycombe District if their aspirations cannot be met within High Wycombe.”
And Saints were finding their stadium too small for the big crowds their Heineken Cup games attracted.
Both clubs in fact had played cup matches at the Ricoh, and it seemed a fit.
David Allvey, now chairman of construction giant Costain, was invited to comment this week on the story but had not responded by deadline.
ACL director Peter Knatchbull-Hugessen said he had no knowledge of sponsors being sounded out three years ago.
