History of Coventry City F.C. facts for kids

Coventry City playing at Highfield Road Stadium in 1982.

Coventry City Football Club is an English association football team from Coventry in the Midlands. The club started in 1883 as Singers F.C. It was founded by Willie Stanley, who worked for the Singer cycle company. In 1898, the name changed to Coventry City. The team joined the Football League after World War I. In 1938, they almost got promoted to the top division, missing it by just one point.

Since the 1960s, the club has been called 'the Sky Blues'. This nickname came from the colour of their kit, which manager Jimmy Hill introduced. Hill arrived in 1961, and with club chairman Derrick Robins, he helped the club become much more successful. They were promoted to Division One in 1967. During that promotion season, the team went 25 games without losing. A match against Wolverhampton Wanderers reportedly drew over 50,000 fans!

Coventry City stayed in the top division of English football for more than 30 years. They famously won the FA Cup in 1987 under manager John Sillett. In 1992, they were one of the founding teams of the Premier League. However, at the end of the 2000–01 season, they were relegated to the FL Championship. Since then, the club has been relegated two more times. They also had new owners and had to play their home games in Northampton Town for a short time between 2013 and 2014.

How Coventry City Started (1883–1898)

The first known football club in Coventry was Stoke F.C., formed in 1869. But it was the arrival of the bicycle industry that brought more football to the city. Many factories started their own teams. Coventry City F.C. began at the Singer Cycle Company.

The club was founded in 1883 by William Stanley, a Singer factory employee. It was first known as Singers F.C. Stanley held a meeting with his colleagues to start the team. Their first home was the White Lion pub, and they played matches at Dowells Field in Stoke. George Singer, the founder of Singer Cycle Company, became the club's first president.

In 1887, Singers appointed J.G. Morgan as club secretary. He helped turn the club into a more serious team. Singers moved to a new, enclosed ground called Stoke Road. Here, they charged a small fee to watch games. The club played organised matches for the first time in the 1887–88 season. They even reached the semi-final of the Birmingham Junior Cup. The next five seasons were called a "golden age" for the club. Their performance and the number of fans grew steadily.

Singers won their first trophy in 1891, beating Willenhall Pickwick 1–0 in the Birmingham Junior Cup final. The next season was even better! They won 26 out of 34 games and lifted three cups: the Wednesbury, Walsall, and Birmingham Junior Cups. Fans celebrated their return to Coventry. However, financial problems at the cycle factory meant many top players had to leave in 1892.

Even with fewer top players, Singers continued to grow. They became a professional club in 1892. They also entered the FA Cup for the first time that year. From 1894, they played in the Birmingham and District League. People in Coventry who didn't work for the Singer factory wanted the club to be named after the city. This idea finally got enough support in 1898. On August 12, 1898, the Football Association (FA) approved the name change to Coventry City Football Club.

Early Years in the Football League (1898–1931)

Coventry City's first season under its new name wasn't great. They lost their first game 5–0. This was also their last season at Stoke Road. Building a new stadium, Highfield Road, put the club in financial trouble. They couldn't pay their players for the last few games, which led to a strike. The first season at Highfield Road was tough, and the club finished last in the Birmingham Junior League.

The club had many problems in the early 1900s. In the 1900–01 season, they let in 102 goals! They even lost 14–0 to Aston Villa reserves, which is still the club's biggest defeat. Things started to improve after 1905. The club got new management and new players. In 1907, they became a limited company, selling shares to raise money.

The 1907–08 season was their best yet. They reached the first round of the FA Cup for the first time. They also finished fourth in the league, scoring 97 goals. After this success, Coventry applied to join the Southern League, which was a very strong league at the time. They were accepted in May 1908.

Coventry City found it hard in their first Southern League season. They finished near the bottom. In the middle of the season, they got their first nickname: the "Bantams," because they were small newcomers to the league. In 1909, David Cooke joined the board and helped the club buy new players. They reached the FA Cup quarter-final, beating top-flight teams like Preston and Nottingham Forest. In 1911, they won their only Birmingham Senior Cup title.

The club struggled again in the years leading up to World War I. They were relegated to Division Two of the Southern League in 1914. The war stopped regular football, but Coventry City worked hard to join the Football League. In early 1919, they successfully applied and were accepted into the Football League Second Division for the 1919–20 season.

Match-Fixing Scandal and Relegation

Coventry City made big changes to prepare for Football League football. They upgraded Highfield Road to hold 40,000 fans. But their first twelve years in the Football League were mostly difficult. They lost their first ten games in 1919–20. The manager, William Clayton, resigned. The team's performance improved, and they avoided relegation on the last day. However, years later, it was discovered that Coventry and Bury had secretly agreed to let Coventry win that game. The FA investigated in 1923. Both clubs were fined, and several officials were banned from football for life.

Coventry continued to struggle in the 1920s. They often finished near the bottom of the Second Division. In 1924–25, they were finally relegated to the Football League Third Division North. They changed their kit colours back to blue and white in 1925, but it didn't help much. Attendances dropped to less than 1,000 fans. In 1927–28, they had heavy defeats and the manager resigned. Fans were very unhappy.

In 1928, former player Jimmy McIntyre became manager. He signed new players, and the team started to play much better. They were challenging for the title at Christmas in 1928 and 1929. However, the club had big debts. McIntyre also had disagreements with the board. He resigned in 1931, and Harry Storer took over.

The "Old Five" Era (1931–1946)

The 1930s were a very successful time for Coventry City. New manager Harry Storer brought in key players like Clarrie Bourton and Jock Lauderdale. Bourton was an instant star, scoring 49 goals in 1931–32, which is still a club record. Coventry scored 108 goals that season, often scoring five or more goals in games. This led to the nickname "The Old Five" for the team.

In 1933–34, the club had a real chance for promotion. They finished second and scored over 100 goals for the third season in a row. They also had their biggest ever league win, beating Bristol City 9–0 in April 1934.

Finally, in 1935–36, Coventry City were promoted back to the Second Division! They won the Division Three South championship with another 100-goal season. The final game against Torquay United was very exciting. Coventry scored a penalty and then a winning goal in the last three minutes. 10,000 fans invaded the pitch to celebrate!

Life in the Second Division started well. They finished eighth in 1936–37. The club also improved Highfield Road, building a new main stand. In 1937–38, they finished fourth, just one point behind promoted Manchester United. They finished fourth again in 1938–39. However, the team's scoring wasn't as strong, and some top players were sold to help with debts.

World War II started in 1939, and the league season was stopped. Many fans believed the war stopped the team from being promoted to the First Division. The Coventry Blitz in 1940 damaged the stadium, stopping all football in the city. Friendly matches started again in 1942. Harry Storer left in 1945, and many players from the successful 1930s team retired.

Post-War Challenges (1946–1958)

After World War II, league football restarted in 1946. Dick Bayliss became manager, but he sadly died in 1947. Billy Frith took over. The 1949–50 season started very badly, with only one win in the first twelve games. The club had to spend money on new players to avoid relegation.

The 1951–52 season saw an older Coventry team relegated back to Division Three South. This led to a big drop in fans at Highfield Road, from 22,000 to 13,000. Manager Harry Storer left in 1953. Jack Fairbrother and then Jesse Carver took over as managers, but both left quickly due to various issues.

In January 1956, Coventry played a controversial match against Argentinian team San Lorenzo. The game was called off after a San Lorenzo player kicked the referee! Later that season, goalkeeper Reg Matthews was called up to the England national team. George Curtis, who would become a club legend, made his debut at 17.

Harry Warren became manager in 1956. The club sold star goalkeeper Reg Matthews to Chelsea for a record fee for a goalkeeper. In 1957–58, Warren was dismissed, and Billy Frith returned. The league was reorganised, and Coventry City ended up in the new Football League Fourth Division. This was their lowest level of football since joining the Football League.

The Sky Blue Revolution (1958–1967)

Despite a tough start, Coventry City only stayed in Division Four for one season. Manager Billy Frith made smart, low-cost signings. When the goalkeeper broke his leg, 44-year-old trainer Alf Wood stepped in and played ten games! Coventry were promoted in second place in 1959. Their good form continued in 1959–60, but they just missed out on a second promotion.

The most important change happened in 1961. Derrick Robins became club chairman. In December, Jimmy Hill replaced Frith as manager. This marked the start of the "Sky Blue revolution." Hill immediately began changing things. He introduced Monday training and allowed players to speak to the media.

In 1962–63, Hill made many changes. The most famous was the new kit: a sky-blue colour for both shirts and shorts. Coventry was the first English club to do this! The team became known as the "Sky Blues," dropping the "Bantams" nickname. Hill also wrote the "Sky Blue Song," which fans still sing today. Robins invested £30,000, allowing the club to sign new players like Terry Bly and John Sillett. They had a great FA Cup run, reaching the quarter-final against Manchester United. A match against Sunderland drew nearly 50,000 fans. Hill also signed George Hudson, a new striker, who scored a hat-trick on his debut.

In 1963–64, Coventry finally won promotion back to Division Two! Hudson was the star, scoring 21 goals before Christmas. They won the championship on the final day. The next two seasons saw them establish themselves in Division Two. In 1965–66, they just missed out on promotion to Division One by one point. New signings included goalkeeper Bill Glazier and striker Ian Gibson.

In 1966–67, Coventry City were promoted to Division One! After a slow start, they went on an amazing run of 25 games without defeat. Promotion was confirmed in April. The Division Two title was decided in a huge game against Wolves on April 29, 1967. Over 51,000 fans attended, the largest crowd in Highfield Road's history. Coventry won 3–1, with Ian Gibson playing a vital role. They won the championship on the final day.

Top-Flight Football and European Adventures (1967–1975)

Excitement was high for Coventry's first season in the top division. But just two days before the first game, Jimmy Hill announced he was resigning to work in television. Noel Cantwell took over as manager in October 1967.

Coventry struggled in their first top-flight season. They were at the bottom of the table in January. However, they recovered and avoided relegation on the last day, the first of ten such escapes! A big fire damaged the main stand in March 1968, but a home game against Manchester United still went ahead ten days later. Over 47,000 fans watched Coventry beat the champions 2–0.

The 1968–69 season was similar, with another last-day escape from relegation. But in 1969–70, Coventry had their most successful league season ever, finishing sixth! This earned them a spot in the European Fairs Cup for the 1970–71 season. Their European journey started well but ended with a 6–1 defeat to Bayern Munich in Germany. They won the home leg 2–1, which was a proud moment.

In a game against Everton, Willie Carr famously flicked a free-kick backwards with both feet to Ernie Hunt, who scored a "donkey kick" goal. It won the BBC Goal of the Season award, but the technique was banned afterwards. Coventry's form dipped, and Cantwell was sacked in March 1972.

Joe Mercer and Gordon Milne became joint managers. They signed popular players like Colin Stein and Tommy Hutchison. They reached the FA Cup quarter-final in 1972–73. In 1974, the club faced financial difficulties. Chairman Derrick Robins left in April 1975 after 15 years, and Joe Mercer became a club director, leaving Milne in sole charge.

FA Cup Glory and Premier League Years (1975–1995)

Jack Scamp became the new chairman. More importantly, Jimmy Hill returned to the club as managing director. In 1976, star midfielder Dennis Mortimer was sold to Aston Villa, which angered fans.

In 1976–77, Coventry City faced serious relegation trouble. On the final day, they played Bristol City. Both teams, along with Sunderland, were fighting to avoid relegation. News came through that Sunderland had lost, meaning a draw would save both Coventry and Bristol City. The managers told their players, and the last few minutes were played out without either team trying to score. Coventry was later cleared of any wrongdoing.

The 1977–78 season was much better. Manager Gordon Milne switched to an attacking 4–2–4 formation. With players like Terry Yorath, Ian Wallace, and Mick Ferguson, Coventry finished seventh, just missing out on Europe. They tried to sign Trevor Francis for £1 million, but he chose Nottingham Forest instead.

In 1980, Coventry sold Ian Wallace for £1.25 million. They tried to rename the club "Coventry Talbot" after a sponsorship deal, but the FA rejected it. The 1980–81 season saw a great League Cup run, beating Manchester United. But they lost in the semi-final and their league form suffered. Milne was replaced by Dave Sexton as manager.

In 1981, Highfield Road became an all-seat stadium, the second in the UK. This reduced the capacity to 20,500. Jimmy Hill, who was chairman, said, "you can't be a hooligan sitting down." However, fans of visiting teams sometimes ripped up seats. The club also sold key players, and the team struggled. Hill left the club in May 1983, and Dave Sexton was also dismissed.

Rebuilding the Team and FA Cup Win (1983–1987)

After a tough 1982–83 season, many players left. Bobby Gould became the new manager. He rebuilt the team by signing inexpensive players from lower divisions. These included future cup-winning players like Dave Bennett, Michael Gynn, and Trevor Peake. Despite low expectations, Coventry played well in 1983–84, even beating champions Liverpool 4–0. They avoided relegation on the last day.

Gould made more signings in 1984, including Steve Ogrizovic, Brian Kilcline, and England international Cyrille Regis. But the season started poorly, and Gould was sacked. Don Mackay took over. They had another last-day escape from relegation in 1985, winning their final game 4–1 against league champions Everton. In 1985–86, they faced their third relegation battle in a row. Mackay resigned, and George Curtis and John Sillett took charge for the final three games, saving the club again.

In 1986–87, Coventry City won the only major trophy in their history: the FA Cup! They beat Tottenham Hotspur 3–2 in the final at Wembley after extra time. It's considered one of the best FA Cup finals ever. Their cup run included wins against Bolton Wanderers, Manchester United (1–0 at Old Trafford), and Stoke City. In the semi-final, they beat Leeds United 3–2 in extra time. Key players in the FA Cup winning team included goalkeeper Steve Ogrizovic, captain Brian Kilcline, midfielders Dave Bennett and Lloyd McGrath, and strikers Cyrille Regis and Keith Houchen, who scored a famous diving header. John Sillett was the manager.

Coventry City's youth team also won the FA Youth Cup in 1987, making it a remarkable "double." Only a few other clubs have won both the FA Cup and FA Youth Cup in the same season.

Premier League Launch and Struggles (1987–1995)

After the FA Cup win, Coventry bought David Speedie for a club-record £780,000. However, English clubs were still banned from European competitions due to the 1985 Heysel Stadium disaster, so Coventry couldn't play in the European Cup Winners' Cup. The 1987–88 season was a bit disappointing, with a tenth-place league finish.

In 1989, City suffered one of the biggest FA Cup upsets, losing 2–1 to non-league Sutton United. They finished seventh in the league, their highest since 1978. In 1990, they reached the League Cup semi-final but lost to Nottingham Forest. John Sillett left the club in November 1990 and was replaced by Terry Butcher as player-manager. Butcher struggled, and the club finished 16th.

In the early 1990s, top clubs decided to form the breakaway Premier League. The 1991–92 season was the last in the old First Division. Coventry had another difficult season. Manager Terry Butcher was dismissed in January 1992. Don Howe took over, but the club was pulled into a relegation fight. On the final day, they lost to Aston Villa, but rivals Luton also lost, saving Coventry from relegation.

The Premier League launched in summer 1992. Bobby Gould returned for a second time as manager, with Phil Neal as his assistant. Coventry started the season well, winning six of their first eight games. The arrival of striker Micky Quinn boosted the team. He scored ten goals in six games, including a 5–1 win over Liverpool. Fans loved Quinn, chanting "He's fat, he's round, he scores at every ground!" The club finished 15th, safely away from relegation.

Bryan Richardson became chairman in 1993. Coventry had another strong start to 1993–94. But Gould resigned after a 5–1 defeat, claiming the chairman was forcing him to sell star striker Peter Ndlovu. Phil Neal took over. The club played some good football, but couldn't be consistent. They finished 11th. In 1994–95, Neal bought Dion Dublin and Cobi Jones. However, injuries and poor results led to Neal being sacked in February 1995. Ron Atkinson took over, with Gordon Strachan as assistant manager.

Final Years in the Top Flight (1995–2001)

The arrival of Atkinson and Strachan brought optimism. Atkinson signed several big-name players, including Noel Whelan for a club-record £2 million. However, the team had their worst run in the top flight, going 14 league games without a win. By early December, they were bottom of the table. They avoided relegation on the final day, partly because Manchester City played out a draw without trying to win, mistakenly thinking it would save them.

In 1996, Coventry broke their transfer record again, buying Gary McAllister for £3 million. After a poor start, Atkinson moved to a Director of Football role, and Strachan became manager. For the third season in a row, Strachan himself played for the team in a crucial match. They had another last-day escape from relegation, winning 2–1 at Tottenham. This was their tenth and final last-day escape in the top division.

The 1997–98 season, Strachan's first full campaign, was much better. They finished 11th and had their best FA Cup run since 1987. Notable wins included a 3–2 victory against champions Manchester United. Dion Dublin's 18 league goals earned him a share of the Premier League Golden Boot. Chairman Bryan Richardson revealed plans for a new 40,000-seat stadium, "Arena 2000," which later became the Ricoh Arena.

The next season was a disappointment. Several top players left, including Dublin, Darren Huckerby, and George Boateng. The 1999–2000 season was mixed. Boosted by new signings like Robbie Keane, Coventry won 12 of their 19 home games, including a memorable 3–2 win over Arsenal. But they failed to win a single away game all season, finishing 14th.

McAllister and Keane both left the club in the summer of 2000. Without them, the team struggled throughout the 2000–01 season. Despite efforts to improve, Coventry's 34-year stay in the top flight ended on May 5, 2001. They were relegated after a 3–2 defeat to rivals Aston Villa.

Life Outside the Premier League (2001–2011)

After relegation, manager Gordon Strachan was sacked in 2001. He was replaced by player-manager Roland Nilsson, and then by Gary McAllister in 2002. McAllister left in 2004 to be with his ill wife. Peter Reid took over, but his appointment was unpopular with fans. He lasted only eight months.

In January 2005, Micky Adams, a former Coventry player, became manager. He helped the Sky Blues avoid relegation from the Championship in their final season at Highfield Road. The club then moved to a new 32,600-seat stadium, the Ricoh Arena. In 2005–06, Coventry City finished a respectable 8th in the Championship. Adams was sacked in January 2007 after a string of poor results.

The club launched 'Operation Premiership,' a plan to get back to the top league. They brought in new investment and initiatives for fans. However, the 2006–07 season started poorly. Star player Gary McSheffrey was sold. They were knocked out of the League Cup by a lower-league team. Micky Adams was dismissed after an FA Cup defeat.

Iain Dowie became the new manager. He led Coventry to a 17th-place finish. In the 2007–08 season, they had impressive away wins and reached the League Cup third round. They caused a shock by beating reigning Premier League champions Manchester United 2–0 at Old Trafford. Both goals were scored by Michael Mifsud.

In October 2007, the club faced financial difficulties and was close to administration. Ray Ranson and the SISU group successfully completed a takeover of the club in December 2007, just half an hour before the deadline. Ian Dowie was sacked in February 2008. Chris Coleman became manager. Coventry avoided relegation on the final day of the season, finishing 21st.

Stadium Issues and Relegations (2011–2017)

In 2011–12, after five seasons near the bottom, Coventry City were relegated from the Championship. This meant they dropped to the third tier for the first time since 1964. The club's owners, SISU, sold many top players and failed to keep others. In April 2012, SISU stopped paying rent for the Ricoh Arena, starting a long battle with the stadium owners.

The 2012–13 season was very difficult. Manager Mark Robins was appointed and results improved, but he left after five months. Former player Steven Pressley became the third manager of the season. Off the field, the rent dispute continued. The club's holding company went into administration in March, resulting in a ten-point deduction by the Football League. They finished 15th.

With the stadium problem unsolved, the club announced they would play home games for 2013–14 at Sixfields Stadium in Northampton, 34 miles from Coventry. Many fans boycotted home games in protest. The club started the season with another ten-point deduction due to administration. SISU also launched legal challenges against the Coventry City Council. On the field, the team had a reasonable season, avoiding relegation in the penultimate game.

In August 2014, Coventry announced they had reached an agreement to return to the Ricoh Arena. Over 27,000 fans attended their first game back, a 1–0 victory. However, results soon worsened. Pressley was sacked in February 2015 and replaced by Tony Mowbray. The club avoided relegation on the final day. The Ricoh Arena was bought by Wasps RFC, a rugby club.

The 2015–16 season started well, with Coventry at the top of the division in November. But their form dropped after Christmas, and they missed the play-offs. Star midfielder James Maddison left, and former England international Joe Cole joined. The 2016–17 season started badly, and Mowbray resigned. Russell Slade was appointed but couldn't reverse the slump. In March, with the club at the bottom, Slade was sacked, and Mark Robins returned for a second spell. Despite some improvement, Coventry were relegated to the fourth tier for the first time since 1959. However, fans had some joy in April when Coventry won the 2017 EFL Trophy Final at Wembley, their first major trophy since the 1987 FA Cup.

Throughout this period, SISU was involved in many legal battles regarding the stadium. They appealed decisions all the way to the Supreme Court, but their appeals were refused.

Exiled Again and Ascent (2018–Present)

Coventry won their first two games back in the fourth division in 2017. Their form was mixed, but they secured a sixth-place finish and a play-off spot. After beating Notts County, City faced Exeter City in the play-off final at Wembley. Coventry won 3–1, earning their first promotion in 51 years!

In 2018–19, they had a solid season back in League One, finishing eighth. However, the stadium issues continued. SISU launched a complaint to the European Commission (EC) about the sale of the Ricoh Arena. With no agreement to play at the Ricoh, the club announced in June 2019 that they would again leave Coventry. They would share a ground with Birmingham City at their St Andrew's stadium.

Coventry started the 2019–20 season well, going top of League One in September. They had a dip in form but then went on an amazing run, winning 11 of their next 14 games. They moved to second place in February and then to the top in March. The season was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On June 9, League One clubs voted to cancel the rest of the season. Final league positions were decided using a points-per-game system. Coventry were promoted to the Championship as League One champions!

Return to the Championship (2020–2022)

The club couldn't agree to return to the Ricoh Arena after promotion. They extended their stay at St Andrew's for the 2020–21 season, which was played without fans due to COVID-19. On the pitch, the team battled against relegation but pulled away in the final weeks, finishing 16th.

In summer 2021, the club finally negotiated a return to the Ricoh (now called The Coventry Building Society Arena). Fans were back in stadiums. The 2021–22 season started very positively. With goals from Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres, they had a great chance for a play-off spot. However, their form faded, and they finished 12th.

The 2022–23 season started with more off-pitch problems. The pitch at the CBS Arena was unplayable due to poor investment and use for the Commonwealth Games. Several home games were postponed. The financial collapse of the stadium owners, Wasps Rugby Club, again put Coventry City's future at the stadium in doubt. The club was even served with an eviction notice. However, Coventry City and the new owners, Frasers Group, agreed a deal to keep the club at the Arena.

Despite the pitch issues, the team found form and climbed the table. They were just outside the play-off spots when the season paused for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

New Ownership and Play-Off Final (2022–Present)

On November 16, 2022, businessman Doug King announced he would buy an 85% stake in the club, ending 15 years of SISU's control. King tried to buy the Arena too, but Mike Ashley's Frasers Group completed their purchase instead. King's takeover was approved on January 10, 2023. He became the new chairman.

On January 27, 2023, Doug King bought the remaining 15% of SISU's shares, becoming the club's sole owner. On the pitch, the club finished the 2022–23 season strongly and qualified for the play-offs. They beat Middlesbrough over two legs to reach the play-off final at Wembley. A win would have meant a return to the top flight after 22 years. However, they lost in a heartbreaking penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw.

In summer 2023, star players Gustavo Hamer and Viktor Gyökeres left the club. Gyökeres was sold for a club-record fee. Manager Mark Robins used the money to rebuild the team, including breaking the club's transfer record for American striker Haji Wright. After a difficult start to the 2023–24 season, the club's form improved around Christmas, putting them back in the hunt for a play-off spot. They narrowly missed out on the play-offs but reached the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United. They lost in another penalty shootout after coming back from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 in normal time.