A CBS record crowd for the Oxford game

Coventry City started their home campaign last week with an excellent 3-2 victory over newly promoted Oxford United. Des Buckingham's side had lost only one game in their last thirteen and had comprehensively beaten Norwich City in their opening game. The Sky Blues left it late for Haji Wright to score his 96^th minute goal – his second of the night – but it was a well deserved victory.

The attendance was an excellent 28,051 and despite being only the 13^th highest ever crowd at the stadium it is the highest crowd for an evening league game at the CBS Arena since the club moved from Highfield Road in 2005. The previous highest was for the 'return to Coventry' game against Gillingham in 2014 however substantially reduced prices were in force for that game. 

The top attendances for Coventry games at the CBS are as follows:

1. 31,407 Chelsea (FA Cup) 2008-09

2. 31,054 Crewe (EFL Trophy) 2013-14

3. 30,232 Leeds (League) 2023-24

4. 30,175 Birmingham (League) 2022-23

5. 29,914 Leicester (League) 2023-24

6. 29,208 Sheffield W (League) 2023-24

7. 29,102 QPR (League) 2023-24

8. 28,874 Middlesbrough (Play-off) 2022-23

9. 28,529 Cardiff City (League) 2023-24

10. 28,343 Accrington (League) 2017-18

11. 28,184 Leeds (League) 2007-08

12. 28,120 Middlesbrough (FA Cup) 2005-06

13. 28,051 Oxford (League) 2024-25

It is interesting to note that seven of the top nine attendances have been in the last two seasons reflecting the buzz around the city since the club returned to Coventry in 2021 generated by the exciting brand of football played by Mark Robins' team. Who would have thought that the team would be being watched by the biggest crowds since the early 1970s.

Friday's attendance was also the highest Coventry crowd for the opening league game of a season since 1978 when 28,585 were at Highfield Road to watch City lock horns with the league champions Nottingham Forest. I remember it being a warm August evening and that legendary Coventry athlete Dave Moorcroft was on the pitch displaying his gold medal from the Commonwealth Games 1500 metres held earlier that summer. An 18-year-old Gary Gillespie made his home debut and the game ended 0-0, the same scores as when the two teams had met in the final home game of the previous season, the day Forest had clinched the title. 

If you enjoy this column and would like to hear more about Coventry City's history you can listen to the Sky Blue History Podcast which is available on Spotify and YouTube. Claudio Cardellino and I talk about all things Sky Blue. Just search for 'Sky Blue History Podcast'