Football Ground Guide: Ricoh Arena, Coventry City FC

Contents
What's The Ricoh Arena Like? Future Developments The Ricoh Arena (photo) What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters? The Tesco East & Jewson South Stands (photo) Where To Drink? Lloyds Pharmacy West Stand (photo) How To Get There And Where To Park By Train Looking Towards The Evening Telegraph Stand (photo) Local Rivals Admission Prices Fixtures 2011-2012 Programme & Fanzines Ground Layout Disabled Facilities Stadium Tours Record & Average Attendance Fans Ground Reviews Hotel Accommodation Ricoh Arena Location Map
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What's The Ricoh Arena Like?
Like many grounds built in this country in the last ten years, the new Coventry stadium is functional and fairly conservative in its design. Three sides of the stadium, which are large single tiered stands are fairly bland affairs. Happily, the complex has an exhibition centre attached to its West side, resulting in a unique looking stand that gives more of a continental feel. Known as the Lloydspharmacy Stand, it has a small tier of seats overhanging the larger lower tier, with a row of corporate hospitality boxes, running along the back of the lower section. Along the top of the stand is a large area of white panelling (adorned with the logo of the stadium sponsors) that runs along the length of the stand and around the corners of either side of it. In one of these corners is located a Police Control box. Below the white panelling is a large windowed corporate hospitality area. The stadium is fully enclosed with all corners of the stadium being filled with spectator seating and all the stands are of the same height, giving it a symmetrical look. There a number of clear perspex panels located in the roof at the South end of the stadium, plus a large strip of perspex that runs around the stadium just below the roof at the back of three sides. These measures allow more natural light to enter the stadium, which helps the growth of the grass pitch. There is also a large video screen type scoreboard located in one corner of the stadium between the South and Tesco East Stands. Outside the stadium on the back of the East Stand, fans can admire the 'Sky Blues Wall Of Fame'. This consists of six large panels, each dedicated to former a Coventry City great such as John Sillett, Jimmy Hill etc... The panels contain bricks that have been purchased by fans, which have their choice of inscriptions on. These type of schemes are popular around the country at a number of other grounds. I did send my cheque off to the Club with my choice of inscription which was; 'Coventry Are Rubbish' but for some reason I'm still waiting for my brick to appear! Also outside the corner of the North and East Stand is a small open memorial area for fans to place wreaths etc.. of fans who have passed away. Whilst outside the Club Shop there is a statue of former manager Jimmy Hill. The stadium was built by Laing O'Rourke, the same company who built the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. It is owned by Coventry City Council, with the Football Club having a lease agreement to use the stadium. The stadium was opened in August 2005. Coventry City previously played at Highfield Road, their home since 1899. Top Of Page
Future Developments
The stadium is one of five venues that will used for the London 2012 Olympics football tournament. It will be referred to as the 'City of Coventry' stadium as the current sponsorship naming of the stadium contravenes Olympic sponsorship rules. The Government have now approved funding to build a railway station at the Ricoh Arena. However it will not be in operation until late 2013 at the earliest.
The Ricoh Arena
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What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters?
Away supporters are mostly accommodated to one side of the South Stand (Blocks 6 & 7) towards the corner with the Lloydspharmacy Stand. Around 3,000 supporters can be seated in this area. The angle of the stand is quite steep, meaning a fair bit of effort to climb to the top. Normally a steep stand means that fans are close to the playing action, but not here. Not only is there a sizeable red coloured track surrounding the playing area, but this in turn is a considerable distance from the pitch itself. This does lead to some viewing problems, especially when the action is taking place at the other end. The leg room is adequate for most and the stadium does have good acoustics, which should help boost the atmosphere. Also in first gaining entry to the stand, the Club operate automatic turnstiles, where you have to put your ticket (which has a bar code on it) into a slot reader, which then allows the turnstiles admit you. Behind the stands there are spacious concourses and a number of food and drink outlets serving amongst other things; Hot Dogs (£3.80), Pork & Stuffing rolls (£3.60), Meat & Potato, Chicken & Mushroom and Cheese & Onions Pies (all at £3), as well as large sausage rolls (also £3). There is also a Wimpy outlet. The concourses also have a number of televisions which show the game being played inside. Matt Walters a visiting Reading fan adds; 'The Ricoh, as the tannoy announcer puts it, is one of the more interesting looking new grounds when compared to others such as the Walkers Stadium. The acoustics are superb which creates a great atmosphere. However I found the seats to quite uncomfortable, which is disappointing bearing in mind that this is a brand new stadium'. I have also received reports of supporters being regularly ejected from the stadium for persistent standing, and stewards being somewhat heavy handed, so be on your best behaviour. After what seemed a mandatory 'pat down' search by the stewards outside the away turnstiles, entrance to the stadium is gained by putting the end of your ticket into a bar code reader. Sounds easy, but when the green light that lights up to show you that your ticket has been validated and you can now enter, is located up above your head, then many fans on my visit didn't see this and kept trying to put ticket back into the reader, leading to much confusion! Top Of Page
The Tesco East And South Stands

Where To Drink?
On one corner of the stadium, near to the Club Shop is the Grosvenor Casino, which has a bar, has Sky Sports television and admits both home and away fans on matchdays. Robert Nunn a visiting Reading fan informs me; 'Myself and a friend parked in Longford, about a ten minute walk away from the stadium, and found a host of pubs situated along Longford Road. Whilst most looked quite partisan and only had Sky Blue shirts in, the "JK English Pub" was most welcoming. This Indian/Pub had a pub feel (pool table, jukebox, etc) but was also an Indian restaurant. On Saturday's it also does a £5 all you can eat lunchtime buffet'. To find this pub, coming away from the North Stand at the Ricoh, follow the towpath over the canal for about 400 yards passing the Tesco Extra on your right (which also has a cafe). When you come on to Longford Road, head right, towards Coventry City Centre and the pub is around 200 yards on your right hand side. Phil Cull a visiting Watford fan adds; 'You can also park your car in the JK English pub car park for a cost of £4. It is then around a 15 minute walk to the stadium. After the game there was no problem in driving back to the M6'. Also on Longford Road, but heading away from the City Centre are the Longford Engine and Coach & Horses pubs which both welcome away fans. The visitors turnstiles are around a 15 minute walk away, by walking along the canal tow path by the Longford Engine pub (just follow the sky blue shirts...). There is also a handily placed fish & chip shop located across the road from the Longford Engine. Jamie Greenway adds; 'The Black Horse Pub, in-between Longford and Exhall has been attracting a fair amount of away supporters for most games. If you go to the top of Longford Road and around the roundabout towards Exhall, its on the right and normally has a burger van outside'. It is also only five minutes walk from the Leisure Island Parking area (see below) and also offers some limited free car parking at the pub itself. Also in this area is a Novotel that also has a bar. Adrian Taylor a visiting Birmingham City fan informs me; 'The Greyhound Pub on Sutton Stop is a hidden gem. A traditional canalside pub that is also listed in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide. You need to come off the M6 at Junction 3, but then drive away from the ground, towards Bedworth, on the B4113, turning left (under the M6) at the first roundabout. You then take the first right at the traffic lights, just after the Black Horse pub, into Blackhorse Road and follow the road for a couple of miles until you reach a mini roundabout at which you turn right to go over a narrow canal bridge. You then take the next left for the Greyhound pub. The beauty of this place if it is a fine day, is that you can leave your car at the pub and then take the 20 minute walk along the canal to the stadium. After the game you can have another drink or at least avoid the congestion near the ground'. Alternatively alcohol is also available inside the stadium in the form of bottles of 500ml Carling Lager at £3.40 each or Magners Cider (300ml) at £3.50. Although on my last visit I wasn't too impressed to be served a warm bottle from an open tray, rather than a chilled one. Top Of Page
Lloyds Pharmacy West Stand
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How To Get There And Where To Park
Leave the M6 at Junction 3. Take the A444 towards the city centre and after one mile you will reach the stadium on your left. Parking at the stadium is for permit holders only and fans are being encouraged to use the Park & Ride facilities plus a number of satellite car parks in operation on matchdays. There is a good sized retail park located next to the stadium, but I guess restrictions will be put in place on matchdays. In addition a 'residents only' parking scheme has been put in place for all residential streets within a mile of the ground. The Club are utilising a number of car parks within walking distance of the stadium, in such places as factory units and local schools. The cost per car for these official car parks is £5. Blue badge holders can park at the stadium itself at a cost of £7. The nearby Tesco car park is well 'policed' on matchdays. Free parking is restricted to two hours only unless you spend £25 or more in one of the shops on the Retail Park (you then attach the receipt to your windscreen), which include Next, Boots and Marks & Spencers. There is also a private car park run by Leisure Ireland, located a few minutes drive away from Junction 3 of the M6. It has 200 spaces and is then a 15 minute walk away from the stadium. It advertises as secure parking and apparently getting back to the motorway after the match is very easy. The cost to park there is £5 per car and to find the car park, follow the 'pink arrow' signs from Junction 3 of the M6. Fans are encouraged to pre-book their places online. However please note to then get to the stadium you have to cross a rather busy dual carriageway, so please bear this in mind if you have young children or older person in your party. Nearby is a similar set-up called Ricoh Arena Parking and again you book online. From Junction 3 of the M6 take the B4113 towards Bedworth at the first roundabout take the 3rd exit and the car park is down on the right, almost opposite the Novotel. Also note that both car parks close one hour after the final whistle. Map showing the location of the Ricoh Arena (at the bottom of this page). Top Of Page
Looking Towards The Evening Telegraph North Stand

By Train
Coventry train station is about three and half miles away from the stadium and really is too far to walk. Either take a bus from the Pool Meadow Bus Station or jump in a taxi. Lori Kilpatrick adds; 'There is a bus stop directly outside the train station, from which most passing buses go to the Pool Meadow Bus Station. On checking that the bus indeed goes to the Bus Station ask for a "match day ticket" which will cost you £4 and will cover all journeys on that day in Coventry (note no change is given on Coventry buses so have the exact cash ready). Get off at the Bus Station and look for the Bus Stand letter 'U' from which the Football Special Shuttle Service operates from (there will be probably be a number of other fans in the vicinity). The service number is 101 and runs every 10 minutes from two hours prior to kick off and then returns every five minutes, for one hour after the game has ended. Buses depart after the match from outside the South Stand and stop at both the bus station and railway station'. Tim Sansom a visiting Ipswich Town fan adds; 'After the match there was a massive queue for the six football special buses going back to the city centre. We decided not to wait and walked up to the to the roundabout (signposted Holbrooks) by the stadium and caught the number 13 service back into the city'. Top Of Page
Local Rivals
Aston Villa, Leicester City, Birmingham City, West Bromwich Albion, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Top Of Page
Admission Prices
Home Fans: Tesco East Stand (Centre): Adults £27, Concessions £22, Under 16's £18* Lloydspharmacy Stand (South Wing): Adults £22, Concessions £16, Under 16's £14 Tesco East Stand (Wings): Adults £22, Concessions £16, Under 16's £14 Coventry Evening Telegraph North Stand: Adults £22, Concessions £16, Under 16's £14 Outer Wings of above stands: Adults £18, Concessions £12, Under 16's £10 Away Fans: South Stand: Adults £22, Concessions £16, Under 16's £14* * The prices quoted are for tickets purchased prior to matchday. Tickets bought on the day of the match can cost up to £2 more. **A further discount on this ticket price is available for Junior Sky Blue Members. In some areas of the stadium Under 7's who are Junior Sky Blue Members and accompanied by an adult are admitted free. Top Of Page
Fixtures 2011-2012
Coventry City FC fixture list (takes you to the BBC Sports Website). Top Of Page
Programme & Fanzines
Official Programme - £3. Twist & Shout Fanzine - £1. The West Terrace Fanzine - £1 Top Of Page
Ground Layout
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Disabled Facilities
For details of disabled facilities and club contact at the ground please visit the relevant page on the Level Playing Field website. Top Of Page
Stadium Tours
The club offers tours of the stadium on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday mornings. The cost of the tour is; Adults £5, Concessions £4.25, Under 16's £3.50. Tours must be booked by calling the club on 0844 873 6397. Top Of Page
Record & Average Attendance
At The Ricoh Arena: 31,407 v Chelsea FA Cup 6th Round, March 7 th 2009 . At Highfield Road: 51,455 v Wolverhampton Wanderers Division 2, April 29th, 1967. Average Attendance: 2010-2011: 16,310 (Championship League) 2009-2010: 17,305 (Championship League) 2008-2009: 17,408 (Championship League) Top Of Page
Fans Reviews Of The Ricoh Arena
Myles Munsey (Neutral) 4/2/12 Tom Taylor (West Ham United) 19/11/11 Steve Ridgley (Southampton) 5/11/11 Dean Williamson (Blackpool) 27/9/11 Kev Laidler (Newcastle United) 9/12/09 David Chadwick (Wolverhampton Wanderers) 16/08/08 Susan Bowen (Leicester City) 17/04/06 Joseph Henry (Celtic) 11/04/06 Carl Broome (Wolverhampton Wanderers) 2/1/06 Top Of Page
Hotel Accommodation
If you require hotel accommodation in the area then first try a hotel booking service provided by Late Rooms. They offer all types of accommodation to suit all tastes and pockets from; Budget Hotels, Traditional Bed & Breakfast establishments to Five Star Hotels and Serviced Apartments. Plus their booking system is straightforward and easy to use. Yes this site will earn a small commission if you book through them, but it will go to help with the running costs of keeping the Guide going. Access their Coventry Hotels and Guest Houses page. Remember that you can use the above link or panel below to book any other hotels that you may need for business or leisure, either in the UK or abroad. Top Of Page
Map Showing Location of the Stadium, Railway Station, Pool Meadow Bus Station and listed Pubs
Instructions for using the map: - Use the bar on the left of the map to zoom in / out using the + / - keys. - Click and drag an area of the map to move around or use the up/down, left/right arrows - Click the Satellite button to see aerial view photograph.
Feedback
If anything is incorrect or you have something to add, please e-mail me duncan@footballgrounds.net and I'll update the guide.
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Coventry City Ricoh Arena

Coventry City
Ricoh Arena