Aidy Boothroyd met the Coventry City Diamond Club today. The new Coventry City manager was the main speaker at the official supporters club for City supporters with fifty or more years of watching CCFC, which was having it's Ascot Day luncheon.
Dressed in their finery which would have graced the paddocks of Royal Ascot, the Diamond Club members, who enjoyed a top class lunch, heard Aidy Boothroyd say that he wanted to work at the highest level and at Coventry City, here was a club that can perform that can perform at that level, sustain it and go on.
He admitted that he was ambitious and hungry but said that the job as manager of Coventry City was one he wanted.
Boothroyd, knew that City supporters had endured lots of downs but with his squad of 15 players, he was able to bring in players,one of which he was expecting a decision on by the end of today. Saying that he would love to fill the Ricoh Arena, he added that the potential the club has is huge and he would have been mad not to come here.
He spoke about the League Cup tie at Morecambe being a difficult game but one which along with the pre-season friendlies would enable him to do some planning and said that he wanted a run in the cup.
Unlike Fabio Cappelo, Boothroyd said he was not one for announcing his team to the players on the day and that 99% of stuff would be done on the training pitch in the week. Overnight stays for the players before a game will again continue as Boothroyd wants his team as prepared as possible for the game.
He was getting the players back in training on July 28th and on July 4th, they were heading out to Austria for a training camp by which time he hoped to have two if not four players signed on.
Boothroyd, who played at left back, right back and once in goal when he broke his finger against Lincoln City, said that he was prepared with a list of first choice players he wanted and was hopeful of getting them but had a shadow squad if they were not available.
Boothroyd received tremendous applause from the members and their guests present before the rest of the guests which included from the Coventry City Former Players Association, Bob Eales and Billy Bell and players Ronnie Farmer, Brian Nicholas, Lol Harvey and Ian Wallace, City Boardroom attendant for the last 45 years Percy Dodd and Kevin Heffernan and myself who are involved with the Jimmy Hill Tribute Appeal.
Comedian Billy Bell did hilarious "This Is Your Life" skit for Diamond Club Chairman Tom Dentith before the first race was one and everyone was having a free bet on their fancied choice at Ascot.
With the Jimmy Hill Tribute Appeal being launched yesterday,, Joe Elliott, CCFC Vice President Kevin Heffernan and myself spoke about the appeal which wants to raise a minimum of £150k to facilitate a more than life like statue outside the Ricoh Arena. £400 was raised by those present thanks to a note collection.
Race number of the afternoon saw fourteen pick the winning horse and it was time for the raffle before the Best Hat competition, this being Ascot after all was decided by Ian Wallace. 
The Gold Cup was the final race of the afternoon for the Diamond Club and with George the bookie doing an excellent job, keeping abreast of the winners.
Christine added to her 16-1 shot in the first race with a 20-1 winner to scoop the prize of a bottle of champagne which was awarded by Joe Elliott.
Tom Dentith thanked everyone who had made the afternoon so special and looked forward to seeing everyone at the next lunch on September 30th.
More on the Diamond Club can be found here
http://ccfcdiamondclub.homestead.com/index.html