Welcome back to Through the Turnstile, the series that shines the light on some of non-leagues leading stars. This time we are heading to the West Midlands to take a look over what could be one of the youngest teams which will ever be covered by ‘Through the Turnstile’, Coventry United. So without further ado, lets have a look the history of this young club and find out a little more about how it came to be formed as well as how it is doing today!

A brief history of the Club

Coventry United Football Club emerged in 2013 following the acquisition of Coventry Spartans. Edwin Greaves continued as the first manager, guiding the club to a debut league victory and a promotion, despite finishing as runners-up. They also reached their inaugural cup final but suffered a defeat. The subsequent season witnessed their triumph in the league, securing a comfortable lead and advancing in the Non-League Pyramid.

In 2016, Greaves departed, and Terry Anderson stepped in, leading the team to an impressive winning streak of 11 matches, culminating in a title win. Anderson and his assistant, Luke Morton, then assumed permanent roles. The club’s relocation to Butts Park Arena in 2017 marked a significant milestone in their history.

Under the ownership of Joe Haggarty from 2020, the club maintained its status as Coventry’s top non-league entity despite being reassigned to the United Counties League Premier Division South due to restructuring. However, managerial changes ensued, notably with Russell Dodds and Darren Acton resigning in 2021.

By 2022, Haggarty resigned as chairman and manager, leading to interim leadership by Nigel Ward, a devoted club supporter. Ward’s interim tenure focused on stabilizing the club both on and off the field, resulting in significant progress. Subsequently, Michael Kavanagh assumed the role of chairman, with John Goodman as Vice Chairman.

Carl Nolan was appointed manager for the 2022/2023 Season taking over from Ivor Lawton and under Carl’s management he guided the club to a respectable 8 place finish.

On the 1st December 2023 the club appointed a new manager, Ellis Alleyne who is still in charge today. Under Ellis the team have played 12 – won 5, drawn 3 and lost 4, mid-table form which is a very respectable run of results from what has been very much a period of stablisation for the team/club. Here is hoping that next year the team could be looking to push on up the table and maybe even challenge the play-off spots…

(Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coventry_United_F.C. )

Club legends (as told by Fan/Volunteer Alan Ward)

Kit

2023/2024 Coventry United FC Home Kit

Unfortunately these replica kits are currently not available for sale due to the high costs involved in having them produced, keep an eye out as this may well change in the future!

Stadium info

Based in the heart of the City, Coventry United play their games games at the Butts Park Arena, a multi-use stadium with its primary team being Coventry R.F.C (Rugby).

Butts Road, CV1 3GE
Capacity – 4000 (3000 💺)
Number of stands – 1
Artificial Turf

For the level of football we play at a great Stadium the Butts Park Arena you wont see many stadiums as good as this at the level & even higher up the leagues

David Garton – Media Manager for Coventry United

Entry price

Matchday Tickets
Adults – £9
Concessions – £6
Under 16’s – £2

Season tickets
Adult Season ticket – £130
Concessions Season ticket – £100
Under 16’s – £20

Matchday Programme
£2

Stadium Shop

Located at the entrance to the stadium with the ticket office the stadium shop is the place to grab all of the merchandise the club has to offer. The branded snoods is not something that you often see on offer from a club and one which I think is a really good idea. Of course the hope is that one day the club is in a position where they can also offer replica kits to buy along with their other merch, but in the meantime why not treat yourself to a beanie and snood!

Now however you can all gather round as we make our way to…pin badge corner! I am pleased to announce to you all that Coventry United do sell one of their own pin badges in the club shop. A great little keepsake for you all or just a way of making a small donation to the club to help them, as we all know – every little helps.

Price – £3.50

Food & Drink

Stadium Bar Area

The main drink area on a match-day is this large indoor bar, located inside the stadium this spacious area can cater for all of you thirsty punters come matchday. The bar can provide all of the beverages, warmth and comfort you need before, during and after the game.

Anyone who is looking for food, then you dont have to travel very far as the food is also served in this main area on a matchday, with the hot food located to the right of the bar (or bang in the middle of the photo below, at the back)

If however you or your company you work for wish to be the a team sponsor, you can enjoy your food and drink in the stadium suite, which is solely for sponsors use only. You can then also stay dry and warm by watching the match from inside the suite, as the windows in the suite (shown below) look out over the pitch.

If you want to know more then check out this link where all of the information and contact details can be found:
https://coventryunitedfootballclub.co.uk/sponsors.aspx

The Fab 4 – League Tables

Now lets now take a peek at the prices of 4 of the most popular items bought by fans on a matchday: Beer, Cider, Burger and Chips and a cup of tea. These 4 items as you now know will be included in all of the ‘Through the turnstile’ features and with Coventry being added we now have some company for Chatham Town:

* Price of Carling (Birra Moretti not available)

So there you have it! Our Fab 4 league table now has more than one team!! As you can see it is stil far too early to be calling out some standout hereos but Chatham Town offering a cup of tea for £1.20 could be a potential tough ask to beat…we shall see!

Top players

Stanley Dube, Harvey Randle & Joe Blowers

It is as always hard to pick out members of a team as being the top players but there are inevitably the pick of the bunch in every team and in these three, Coventry United have got themselves some good eggs indeed:

Stanley Dube – Quite simply he scores goals. He also has a great touch for a young player who has come from our u21s this season.

Harvey Randle – He is a class keeper on loan from Alvechurch. A fantastic signing.

Joe Blowers – He is a regular goalscorer for us and has great pace and dribbling ability, which often creates opportunities for us and scares the opposition.

(Credit to Coventry United fan/volunteer – Alan Ward for the insight)

Views from the Staff

Q) How difficult is it for non-league clubs?
Very difficult football is very accessible these days on TV all young kids know who Haaland is at Man City so you are competing with this so alot of work has to go into the club

Q) What is the main challenge for a non-league club?
I think the main challenge is to try & get fans to realise there is life outside of the premier league & obviously generating cash flow even at the lower levels it costs alot of money to run a club

Q) What are the clubs main aims for both this season and next?
Always promotion but we have alot of good teams in our league so ideally playoffs is a more realistic aim but for this season we are too far away for the playoffs so we just want a good strong finish to set us up for next season

Q) What would you say to someone considering a visit to watch Coventry United?
You will be surprised how good the standard of football is and its a great friendly atmosphere at the club

Q) How special is the community feel and spirit between the team, management and fans?
Its great because after the games the players & management will all be in the bar & are acessable to the fans to meet them & talk to them the owners are great & will freely talk to anyone at the club

Q) What is one thing you wish more people knew about non-league football?
How great it is & how much non league football does for the local community most of the players are local lads who have lived locally & know how important it is to have local teams

Q) Why should more people come along to watch a Coventry United game?
They will enjoy themselves which is the main thing they will also get to be in a stadium with a good stand & facilities, the friendly atmosphere & its is an affordable day out especially if you have a family

Q) What is the biggest misconception about this level of football ?
I think its the standard of football people think they will see i have watched top level football & seen some dreadful games yet i have seen lots of non league & the games have been great to watch although i have seen some real bad games

Q) How has the club got to where it is today?
The club has only been going for 10 years so still quite young for a football club but good managment in the early years got the club succesive promotions to get them to the level they are at the moment hopefully the club will progress up the leagues in the coming years

Q) What is the proudest moment since you have been with the club?
Personally i have been looking after the media this season & have been left to it & i have been doing really well. But i have been a fan since the club formed in 2013 & i have really enjoyed watching the club grow seeing promotions & the move to the Butts Park Arena was great

Q) In your opinion 3 things better about non-league football compared to EFL/Premier league? You can get closer to the action,You are able to interact with the players & the coaching staff & a more friendly atmosphere

Q) What is unique about a Coventry United matchday?
For the level of football we play at a great Stadium the Butts Park Arena you wont see many stadiums as good as this at the level & even higher up the leagues

If you are curious what a regular matchday looks like for David, he recently released a vlog showcasing just that. A very interesting and insightful look at the amazing work he and so many others do which often goes unnoticed.

Q) What is the thing you are most proud of to date as manager of the club?
For me it’s changing the mentality of the team. When I first walked in there was a lack of belief and the thought that the game was lost before we even kicked a ball. We have gone through a mid-season transition and I genuinely think now we believe every game can be won and we have beaten some big teams in the top 6. We were 7 points off bottom of the table and today we sit 19 points of it and now within reach of the top 10! The players are the credit of that and I hope it continues.

Q) What is the main challenge in managing a team in non-league?
I would say its managing individuals. Communicating with them effectively is a massive part of it and hope that they communicate openly with me aswell. Not all players can start, sometimes they are not in the squad and it’s how I address those decisions is very tough but a necessity at this level of football.

Q) What are your main aims for both this season and next?
This season break into that top 10 and stay there. Next season we build on the quality we have and compete for a top 6 finish.

Q) What would you say to someone considering a visit to Coventry United?
The feel of the club is in a positive position and we have lots of things going on with plenty of new things to come. We are a club that wants the community involved in what we do.

Q) Why should someone come and watch a game?
Non-league football is football back in its purest form. Great goals, terrible mistakes, some suspect refereeing decisions and no VAR. It’s a decent day out watching the game we all fell in love with at a fraction of the cost. As long as you remember that you are watching non-league football you will have a good experience regardless of result.

Q) What is the biggest takeaway about this level of football ?
That anyone can beat anyone and that it involves loads of hard work.

Q) How has the club got to where it is today?
The Club was formed by 4 original owners and it has gained instant success.

Q) What is the proudest moment since you have been with the club?
Bringing the U21 and U18 to the club, creating a pathway for those players to progress into the first team in the future.

View from the fans

Q) Current favourite player?
Stanley dube. Came through from the u21’s, very skillful and gives 100%

Q) Favourite Chant?
Ooh red and green army. Oooh red and green army

Q) Best away day food?
Can’t answer that as I rarely go to away games and when I do i have a big brekky so don’t tend to buy anything in the ground

Q) Is a Coventry United matchday value for money?
Yes definitely. £100 for a season ticket £9 on the day, a top class ground and always see some great footie from players who play for the club not the money

Q) Why do you keep coming back?
The staff always make everyone feel welcome, its more like a mates club where everyone knows each other. How many football league supporters can shake hands with the players after the game and say “well done”

Current favourite player?
In our family it is a tie between Karabo Motshweni and Ethan Baynham Favourite Chant I’m afraid we don’t know any chants; maybe that is a job for the kids… But the Red and Green Army do have a motto: Motto Your City, Your Club

What do Coventry United do that other clubs should pay attention to?
Coventry United invite local football teams to be mascots for some of their games. They recently chose the Under 10s Whitley team that my son plays for. The children can go into the changing rooms to experience the pre-game banter and atmosphere, ask the players any questions, walk with them onto the pitch and join in with a penalty shoot-out at half time. The Coventry United players are always happy to sign the children’s shirts, shin pads and boots. This allows children to not only learn some new skills from the players but experience a sense of stardom which makes them feel like their dreams might be possible.

Is a Coventry United match day value for money?
£9 for adults £2 for under 16s £2.50 for freshly cooked chips Definitely. With it becoming so expensive to watch league games, it is great to be able to enjoy live, quality football up close and as a family. It is much better than watching football on the TV in my opinion!

Why do you keep coming back?
It’s the whole experience; ultimately to make memories. The children enjoy watching football being played at a higher level than themselves and they are close enough to be able to see and learn new skills. The players are great role models, and you get a sense of feeling valued, neither of which you always have at league games. It’s great to be able to move around the stadium, choose our seats and eat and drink in a relaxed atmosphere. I enjoy being able to cheer and join in without being squashed by others around me!

Why should others give Coventry United a go?
The Coventry United games are in a relaxed, family friendly and accessible stadium. The football players display passion and energy for the game, and it is obvious that they value the encouragement of their fans. To see the players smile and wink when the youngsters are cheering them on is priceless. This is a club that actively stands by its motto, ‘Your City, Your Club.’

Future plans (By John Goodman – Co-Owner)

Q) What does the 5 year plan for the club look like?
Quite simply – to keep building and improving the club and hopefully enjoy some more success.

Q) What are the future plans for:

⁃ Stadium
A Stadium is a very difficult task as there is very little land available around Coventry, however it would be fantastic for the club to have its own ground.

⁃ Academy
We are looking to bring in more MJPL teams into the program in the future.

⁃ Recruitment
No current plans for any further recruitment

⁃ Community projects
To keep pushing with schools and in general to look at other ideas within the community to support and successfully build.

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Coventry United do not operate as a club that have only been running for just over 10 years, the whole offering on a matchday as well as the people, squad and general plan for the club is quite impressive. I think they have done remarkably well and speaking to members of the staff/volunteers and their fans I have been touched by the passion and strong connection that they all have for the team. With their noisy neighbours currently flying high, I would definitely recommend you give the team who play in red a go!