Coventry owner issues desperate plea to fans ahead of Championship title game

Coventry City owner Doug King has pleaded with fans to avoid invading the pitch should they beat Portsmouth on Tuesday.

The Sky Blues can wrap up the Championship title with a win over Pompey at the Coventry Building Society Arena.

Getty

How a win over Portsmouth secures Coventry the Championship title

A win on Tuesday would take Frank Lampard’s side to 89 points for the season.

With only a maximum of 88 points mathematically possible for Ipswich Town, it means the Championship crown will belong to Coventry.

Should a victory over Portsmouth transpire, there is a strong chance overzealous Sky Blues supporters may look to celebrate their glory by running onto the pitch.

Not-so-cheap thrills

As memorable as those scenes can be, it is a criminal offence to encroach a pitch and they carry a heavy fine for clubs.

Everton found that out the hard – and expensive – way in May 2022.

Jubilant Toffees supporters burst onto the field when Dominic Calvert-Lewin netted an 85th minute winner to preserve Everton’s Premier League status and once the full-time whistle had sounded.

The two indiscretions prompted the Football Association (FA) to hit Everton with a brutal £300,000 fine.

Manchester City also fell foul of the FA’s rules regarding pitch invasions when thousands spilled onto the turf at the Etihad Stadium in May 2022 after they came from behind to beat Aston Villa 3-2 and win the Premier League title on the last day.

Knowing how big a hole could be burned in his wallet, King made his case for Coventry supporters to stay in their seats should Lampard’s side beat Portsmouth.

Coventry owner Doug King’s message to fans

“With excitement running high, it is timely for us to remind our fans that any entry onto the pitch is unauthorised and forbidden as is the possession of smoke grenades or flares,” King wrote.

Getty

“Both are a criminal offence that are likely to result in arrest and summons to court. You must not risk that.

“These moments have been a long time coming and an exciting return to the Premier League awaits us, so please enjoy the moment but do not do anything that may take away the opportunity for you to see your team next season.

“It was magnificent to see all of you at Blackburn handle that emotional moment brilliantly.

“That restraint allowed the players and staff to have extended celebrations up close and personal on the pitch for all to enjoy and never forget whether there in person or watching on television.

“The players and staff want to share these special moments with you at our home in a full jam-packed Coventry Building Society Arena but can only do so if all show the same restraint and respect these rules.

“So, it’s simple, to allow these historic moments to play out and celebrate this wonderful achievement together… PLEASE STAY OFF THE PITCH!”

Getty

Sky Blues set sights on Premier League return

The Sky Blues secured their return to the Premier League after 25 years away last Friday with a 1-1 draw away to Blackburn Rovers.

Bobby Thomas’ 84th-minute header kickstarted the celebrations among Coventry’s travelling supporters, with boss Lampard fighting back tears of joy during his post-match interview.

Preparations for Coventry’s top flight return have already begun given they have signed midfielder Frank Onyeka.

Onyeka joined in January on loan from Brentford but with the obligation to sign him permanently if Coventry secured promotion, which they have now done.

The Nigeria international is not expected to be the only permanent signing made by Coventry ahead of the next Premier League campaign, with former Sky Blues boss Gordon Strachan urging the club to target experienced players to help them stay up.

Strachan cited Granit Xhaka and Jordan Henderson at Sunderland and Brentford respectively as prime examples of how beneficial a wise head in midfield can be.