Coventry sell just 1,100 tickets for first home game as fans balk at 34-mile journey to Northampton



Coventry City's supporters have turned their back on the plan to move the club's home matches to Northampton Town with just 1,100 tickets having been snapped up for the Sky Blues' first game at Sixfields.

The move appears to have been shunned by the vast majority of the fans following the controversial decision taken by the owners of the League One club to move the matches 34 miles away.

Just 500 season-tickets have been sold so far - despite a hugely discounted pricing policy - as the strength of feeling shows little sign of dying down.

Boycott: Coventry fans aren't happy that the club will be playing their home matches at Northampton Town's Sixfields Stadium

The club has laid on coaches for supporters willing to make the round-trip on Sunday but so far it seems as though the take-up on the offer has been negligible. Four hundred visiting fans from Bristol City are expected in Northampton.

Despite home supporters being able to pay on the day, the crowd is expected to be small - certainly it will be a huge fall from the 11,000 average attendance at the Ricoh Arena enjoyed by the Sky Blues during their campaign last season in League One.

A rival charity match is being staged at the club's former home that has not helped matters with the estimated 7,000-strong march through the cathedral city aimed at 'Keeping Cov in Cov' a few weeks ago having demonstrated the opposition to the move.



The club has been docked ten points by the Football League after the company holding the golden share - membership of the competition - was put into liquidation last week. The authorities subsequently allowed the share to be moved to allow Coventry to take their place in League One last week.



The Sky Blues have lost their opening two matches this season and manager Steven Pressley has only just received dispensation from the League to have a transfer embargo lifted, although there are constraints as to his movements.



Hands tied: Coventry City manager Steven Pressley has only just received dispensation from the League to have a transfer embargo lifted

He said: 'This is far from an ideal situation. But it's a situation that has presented itself to the football staff and we have to get on with it in a professional manner.



'That's all that can be asked of us.

'Of course, ultimately, we would like to play in Coventry. The final step would be for us to play in Coventry.



'On Sunday I am hoping for an intense atmosphere. But the signs are that we may not have that.



'So, I don't know what to expect.