COVENTRY City boss Mark Robins issued a impassioned rallying call live on BBC TV for supporters to unite after the Sky Blues’ biggest cup giantkilling in their history.
The League Two club, challenging for promotion, pulled off the biggest shock of the F.A Cup third round and hit the national headlines with a 2-1 win on Saturday (January 6) at the Ricoh Arena over Premier League Stoke City.
It led the BBC’s live broadcast on Monday for the fourth round cup draw to be hosted at the Ricoh.
The programme highlighted the 135-year-old club’s cup tradition and 1987 victory at Wembley, putting its recent difficulties into context.
Alongside Robins were FA Cup winning Sky Blues heroes John Sillett, Steve Ogrizovic and Dave Bennett.
To approving cheers from fans, Robins said: “We don’t often hear it but the supporters have been magnificent. We desperately need more to come through the turnstiles to help us develop faster. We will develop but it will take time.
“If we can get the people back that are staying away to come and support the football club… It’s a magnificent football club.. and if we follow that, and we stick together, we can achieve things.”
The club has been mired in off-field multi-party disputes over club and stadium ownership since 2012. Uncertainly remains over whether the Sky Blues will be able to stay at the Wasps-owned Ricoh Arena after this season. The club said before Christmas a new deal was imminent.
