COVENTRY CITY have reached a last minute agreement with former Newcastle owner Mike Ashley to keep playing at CBS Arena until the end of the season.
The stadium was previously owned by rugby club Wasps, but was sold to Ashley after they entered administration in October.
Coventry had hoped to purchase the stadium themselves, having twice had to move out before despite the fact the 33,000-seater arena was built especially for them in 2005.
But it was instead sold to Ashley, 58, after City’s prospective new owner Doug King’s £25million bid was adjudged to have come too late.
Coventry were subsequently handed an eviction notice by Ashley’s Frasers Group earlier this month – despite signing a 10-year agreement with Wasps last year.
A deal has now been agreed for Mark Robins’ side to stay until the end of the season, with a view to a longer term arrangement.
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In a club statement, Coventry confirmed: “The licence that we have signed will run until May 2023 and is subject to EFL approval, which we expect to be granted on Tuesday.
“This represents a positive step forward for the club and its fans. We now look forward to establishing a constructive working relationship with Frasers Group.
“Coventry City will now commence amicable talks with Frasers Group with a view to agreeing a longer-term licence for the club to play at the Arena.”
The Sky Blues previously had to spend the 2013-14 season at Northampton Town’s Sixfields – as well as two years between 2019 and 2021 at Birmingham City’s St Andrew’s.
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Their agreement with Frasers Group comes in the nick of time, with FIVE of their next six matches set to be played at home, weather permitting.
The 15th-placed side host Swansea City in the Championship on Saturday, before a home clash with West Brom on the 21st.
During the previous uncertainty, an FA Youth Cup match was moved to Leamington Town FC last Saturday.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
