News from CoventryLive about Coventry City, as CEO of Sky Blues Dave Boddy discusses his decision to leave the team
Following what he calls a “wonderful” seven years at Coventry City, Dave Boddy has announced his retirement from the team. After joining City in February 2017, the CEO oversaw the team’s promotion from League Two to the Championship and their victory in the Checkatrade Trophy at Wembley. The CEO will depart the Sky Blues at the end of January.
In addition, Boddy has guided the team through a number of challenging situations, such as a groundshare, a pandemic, and the management of the stadium it leases. “I have decided to call time on my part in the incredible journey that we have been on together over the last seven years,” he said in an announcement of his decision. I have made the decision to leave the Club on good terms and to take some time off to refuel.
“I genuinely hope that Doug King can deliver on his goal for leading the Club towards the Premier League. I made the decision to quit back in the summer, but I consented to stay on while Doug started the process of restructuring, which he has almost finished.
Our accomplishments have been amazing despite incredibly challenging circumstances, and I am incredibly proud of my role in that success. We have brought the Club back from the brink of League Two to the Championship play-off finalists thanks to the genius of Mark Robins, with whom I have a tremendous connection, and Adi Viveash.
“We overcame numerous difficulties and roadblocks to accomplish all of this despite the odds. It was really challenging to groundshare with Birmingham City at St Andrew’s after being ejected from the Arena by the Wasps in 2019 and to deal with the pandemic shortly after. We succeeded in getting a great ten-year deal with Wasps to bring them back to the Arena in March 2021, but in November 2022 they declared bankruptcy and folded.
“We overcame numerous difficulties and roadblocks to accomplish all of this despite the odds. It was really challenging to groundshare with Birmingham City at St Andrew’s after being ejected from the Arena by the Wasps in 2019 and to deal with the pandemic shortly after. We succeeded in getting a great ten-year deal with Wasps to bring them back to the Arena in March 2021, but in November 2022 they declared bankruptcy and folded.
“2022 proved to be an especially challenging year, given the problems we encountered with the Arena’s surface during the Commonwealth Games rugby matches, which were shortly followed by the Wasps’ and the Arena’s near-collapse. This adds to the miracle of our reaching the Championship Play-Off Final, since all of our playing accomplishments at every level have been made possible by budgets that are below average.
Along with record-breaking season ticket sales for the past two seasons, we have also experienced increases in attendance. Thanks to our fantastic cooperation with Hummel, we have been able to produce some of the best jerseys in a long time. In the meantime, via our work in the community and supporters clubs, we have strengthened our relationship with supporters in spite of obstacles beyond the Club. Relationships were toxic when I joined, but things have changed since then, and those ties have been restored.
“The success we have attained is evidence of the unity and spirit we have fostered at Ryton, and the outstanding employees who have worked there have been instrumental in our success.
Lastly, I want to express my gratitude to the Sky Blue Army for their unwavering support of me. I have found great motivation in your support, especially at the darkest times. No matter where my future leads me, I will always be Sky Blue.
“I’d like to thank Dave for all his help and support over the past seven years,” Coventry City manager Mark Robins stated. Throughout my career, he has contributed to the facilitation of all choices and activities. I’ll miss our daily conversations, but I’m looking forward to catching up and learning more about his future plans.
“Dave has been an incredible servant to the Club over a long period of time and leaves Coventry City Football Club in a far better position than what he inherited,” stated Coventry City owner Doug King.
“He has been very supportive of the direction I plan to take the Club over the last year, so this seems like a good time to part ways and wish him well. He is always welcome back to the Coventry Building Society Arena.”
In due course, the Club will release more information about the new appointments.
