Press Conference Launches Save Academy Campaign
Last updated : 25 July 2005 By Covsupport
A press conference was held at the Alan Higgs Centre to launch the Save The Academy Campaign. The club need to raise £250,000 to fund the Academy which has teams from Under 9's to Under 18's and continue to provide the first team manager with players.
Joe Elliott told those at the conference: "Coventry City have a fantastic youth set up, but we need the help of the supporters. "What we are asking for is for supporters to give us £100 per person. That way, if 2500 supporters giving £100 each of which Stuart Giddings and Gary McSheffrey have agreed to contribute to, so we have a marvellous start. It is important not only for this football club but for the city of Coventry that we continue to have a successful academy. "
"It is vital that the Academy stays open," said Gary McSheffrey. "When I started, the Academy was very successful under George Mackie appearing in two FA Youth Cup Finals and our success was due to being able to train every day rather than just train once a week and play on a Saturday. £100 is a lot of money, I understand that but in the long run, it's for the future of the club and I urge all supporters to find the money from somewhere to support it."