Coventry is buzzing after a historic night saw the Sky Blues return to the Premier League after more than 25 years. Supporters flooded the city today (April 18), wearing Coventry City tops and proudly waving flags.
Fans celebrated on Broadgate yesterday (April 17), singing and chanting late into the night, as reported by CoventryLive. Football fever continued today as supporters strode around, with the excitement from the night before still lingering.
Coventry City ended their 25-year exile from the Premier League with a 1-1 draw at Blackburn in the Sky Bet Championship. Manager Frank Lampard said yesterday was a ‘special night’ and people across the city certainly agreed.
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One of those people was Tommy Jennings-Bates, who was toasting the Sky Blues’ success at the Sky Blue Tavern. He was at the historic game in Blackburn yesterday and described it as ‘absolutely incredible.’
Tommy, 30, told CoventryLive: “It has just been such a long time coming. I have been following Coventry City since I was a very young boy, and I have had season tickets since I was eight years old.”
Tommy Jennings-Bates and George Jennings at the Sky Blue Tavern(Image: Jaspreet Kaur/CoventryLive)
When Bobby Thomas equalised, securing their place in the Premier League, Tommy described it as ‘phenomenal.’ He said: “It felt from quite early on that this group was capable of producing something like this, and it feels different to when you go to the play-offs and you have got those one-game situations.
“It has felt like we have been waiting for such a long time to get over the line with this one, but the release of energy and the relief that we had when Bobby scored was just amazing.”
George Jennings, 25, said that although he only started supporting the Sky Blues a few years ago, their return to the Premier League is ‘amazing.’ He said: “It is the promised land. It is where you want to be.”
Hugh Carson, 60, has supported the Sky Blues since he was just 11 years old. He said: “Frank Lampard has been amazing.
Hugh Carson(Image: Jaspreet Kaur/CoventryLive)
“It has just been an absolute blast! It feels amazing because we have been so close year after year, with Sunderland and Luton.
“I was at both games, and it is disappointing, but to get into the Premier League is fantastic! But there is only one thing that I really do not look forward to, and that is VAR.”
Teacher Chris Whitty, 34, from Bedworth, said he has been supporting the Sky Blues for a year and that following their journey has been ‘amazing.’ He watched the game anxiously yesterday and said: “I was glued to it from the moment we equalised. It was really exciting.”
Teacher Chris Whitty at the Sky Blue Tavern(Image: Jaspreet Kaur/CoventryLive)
Originally from Newcastle, Patricia Foxwell, 86, moved to Coventry at 17 after marrying her husband. She had just picked up some Coventry City flags and waved them around with joy, saying: “Frank Lampard has done marvellous.”
Patricia Foxwell(Image: Jaspreet Kaur/CoventryLive)
Sky Blues fever has gripped fans young and old, as dad and daughter Darren Capp and Katie Shankster demonstrated. Darren watched the Sky Blues at Blackburn on Friday and said: “It has not really sunk in just yet.”
When Bobby scored, Darren said limbs were flying, and fans were crying. “It just went crazy,” he explained.
Daughter Katie, 12, who was also at Blackburn, added: “I feel like it is good, and hopefully they stay up there! I am excited.”
William and Anita Halliday(Image: Jaspreet Kaur/CoventryLive)
Couple William and Anita Halliday told us they had been supporting the Sky Blues all their lives and were overjoyed. Anita said: “It feels absolutely amazing. Thumbs up to Mark Robins. He built the foundations, and Frank Lampard finished it off.”
Michael Read(Image: Jaspreet Kaur/CoventryLive)
Another long-time Sky Blues supporter is 79-year-old Michael Read. Having cheered them to the FA Cup in ’87, he said watching them reach the Premier League again was exhilarating. “I just hope now they can step up, but they are doing very good,” he said.
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