Devonish Delight

Last updated : 07 June 2005 By Covsupport

Straight after his victory in the 100 metres invitational event at Norwich Union International at a very wet and windy Scotsdoun Stadium, Glasgow (a stadium more suited to Midland Combination League standards) Coventry's first Olympic gold medallist Marlon Devonish spoke exclusively to Covsupport (we were the only West Midland based news organisation at the event) about athletics and his beloved Coventry City.

On the race itself where Devonish overcame two false starts and the Scottish breeze to win in 10.43 seconds he said: "It's always nice to win but wish the conditions was better - I can't complain. 10.43 is not brilliant but I know that I am in better shape than that."

Devonish began his athletics career with home town club Coventry Godiva Harriers and hasn't appeared at Coventry City Track on the Warwick University campus, Kirby Corner Road for a long time: "There's no big races there anymore. Birmingham (Alexandra Stadium in Villa territory Perry Barr) is the closest place I come to Coventry."

29-year-old Devonish, who admits of not being an avid fan of the Sky Blues but always have an interest, revealed that he had offered his services to help some of the City players to improve their speed and fitness but so far not had a reply from the club.

He reckons the squad's speed and fitness needs to improve if they ever going to make a serious challenge next season: "I've watched them a few times last season and I wasn't impressed with their speed and fitness when they get the ball. You need a technique on how to run quickly.

They don't know how to do that and you need a skill to do that. I would love to do some pre-season work with them. It was going to happen before but because of my schedule, it didn't happen. I love to go down there and show them the tricks of the trade, I definitely think I can help them improve their speed and fitness.

Devonish also said that he was sorry to see Highfield Road go but wanted the Sky Blues back in the Premiership and reckons that the new stadium will give them the uplift they need to get back into the promise land.

Since their relegation to the second tier of English league football four seasons ago City have appointed five managers. So does Devonish think Micky Adams is a good appointment and more importantly the man to get the Sky Blues back into The Premiership?: "We'll find out if he is. We have to wait and see."