The reason why as a fan you want to gain promotion, is that you get to visit bigger clubs, bigger grounds, and fell former giants. Alas, so far this season, trips to Bramall Lane, Elland Road and Fratton Park had seen a return of ‘nil point’. And to be honest going to the Ricoh Arena, didn’t bring much hope of that sequence ending either.
Coventry, depsite their off field troubles (at one stage this game may have been played in Irthlingborough or even Hinckley), had improved since one of the most insepid performances ever from an away team back in the autumn. Town’s 4-1 victory was hardly flattering.
Cov had just beaten MK Dons with 5000 Sky Blues fans travelling. Town’s more modest 1400 travelled the M6 wanting a good day out. Our friends at the Prince of Wales once again, providing a coach, and some pre match tucker and ales.
We were missing one from our party. It was his daughters birthday, and did the right thing. However this didn’t stop us winding him up on the journey their with text messages of match tickets and the Ricoh.
On arrival, the stadium authorities seemed overwhelmed with so many Town fans, so much so that they ran out of pies. Shocking!
My favourite memory of 2012 was when I attended the Olympic Football at the City of Coventry Arena, where I saw the eventual winners Mexico. The pace was packed that day. Today, depsite Cov’s recent renaissance, it was half full.
Town fans were in good voice, and despite Cov looking in control created a number of chances. Coventry seemed to hit the ball wide, or over, or couldn’t pass Weale. Dare we dream?
The answer was yes. A ball came in, and Matt Richards headed towards goal. The keeper pulled off a wonderful save, only for the ball to come to Marvellous Marvin who volleyed home, sweetly.
Queue Town fans going mental, and I mean mental.
The next 30 minutes (which seemed like a week) were agonyising. But eventually the final whistle blew, and Town had won away in League One for the first time since 1997.
Queue plenty more text messages to our ‘mate’ before an evening of well deserved Real Ale drinking in the Prince.
Adrian Plimmer
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