Coventry seeking 'normality'

Coventry will seek to start negotiations with Arena Coventry Limited to achieve "commercial normality" after being handed a rent deadline.

Last Updated: 05/12/12 at 22:21

Ricoh Arena: Coventry handed a rent payment deadline

Ricoh Arena: Coventry handed a rent payment deadline

The Sky Blues have been handed a 21-day deadline to pay their outstanding rent on the Ricoh Arena.

ACL issued them with the deadline after being owed £1.6million by the Sky Blues, but the League One club will fight what they believe are extortionate rates.

"We are disappointed by ACL's actions to issue a statutory demand to Coventry City Football Club rather than, as we had requested, sitting down with us to negotiate a level of rent which the club can afford and which is in line with the rent paid by other clubs," a statement read.

"For reference, ACL has been charging CCFC an annual rent of £1.28 million, which we understand is the highest in both League One and the Championship.

"We understand that the average annual rent paid by League One clubs (excluding CCFC) is less than £170,000 and that the average in the Championship is less than £290,000. All other clubs which rent their stadia get full access to 100 per cent of match day food, beverage and car parking revenues, unlike CCFC.

"The club's objective in requesting these negotiations with ACL has been only to bring about a state of commercial normality, where CCFC pays the same level of rent and has access to the same type of ancillary revenues as the other football clubs with which it competes."

The Sky Blues left their Highfield Road home in 2005 to take up residence at the 32,000-seater stadium, but insists it has become unviable to continue there.

The statement continued: "It is unsustainable for CCFC to be put at a severe financial disadvantage to its peers.

"While we have been seeking to normalise the rent, we have continued to pay match-day costs to ensure that ACL is not left out-of-pocket.

"The club remains committed to the city and people of Coventry. However, its viability depends on it finding an alternative home ground where it can afford to play."

Related News

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

Most Commented

Readers' Comments

I

m starting to think Roman may never actually be happy at the top level. If he wants all conquering fancy football I wonder if he'd be better off buying a lower division side then paying outlandish salaries to attract high caliber players too good for the division.

john matrix
The Most Unsatisfying European Victory...

R

afa has to be favourite for the Everton job now, surely :) He'll realise his ambition to live and work on Merseyside again, get the best out of whoever plays for them, maybe win some cups and be thoroughly loathed by the toffee fans. What's not to like? Go ead, Ken, gimajob!

captbusby
Benitez basks in final glory

T

hat is arguably the least inspiring England I have ever seen. There is not a single name in that list that makes me think I might actually want to watch this team. Not a one.

harry hotspur
Carroll back in England squad

Footer 365

Premier League: Newcastle owner Mike Ashley offers £1m incentive for victory over Arsenal

Newcastle owner Mike Ashley will share out £1m between the club's non-football staff if they beat Arsenal on Sunday.

Emotional Beckham says goodbye

David Beckham was in tears as he left the pitch after playing what could be the final game of his career as Paris Saint-Germain beat Brest 3-1.

Clichy signs new City deal

Manchester City have confirmed that Gael Clichy has signed a new four-year deal at the Etihad Stadium.

Mail Box

James Collins Is Only 29. Tough Paper Round

He is one of a number of solid shouts for players that look old before their time. We also have the final words on lovely D-Beck and a rejection of end of season playoffs...

Without Posh, Becks Could Have Been Scholes

That's one opinion, but others give their thanks to the man. We also have ideas for a relegation playoff, happy memories of the season and a defence of Liverpool's campaign...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved