We can now reveal that ‘Cov Kid’ young midfield footballing star James Maddison is the latest Sky Blue to have signed up to join the Coventry City Former Players Association.
James was spotted at the Ricoh attending last Tuesday night’s Checkatrade trophy group tie against Shrewsbury Town. After several previous contacts with CCFPA including the possibility of attending this year’s ill-fated Golf Day, James had no hesitation in joining us when approached by Membership Sec. Sarah Morris. James will always be a supporter of his home-town club even though he has now moved away to further his career and comes back to Coventry as often as he can and watches the Sky Blues whenever his professional commitments elsewhere allow. Although, to say the least, not formally dressed last Tuesday night, he now has an official Association tie for formal occasions as well as a CCFPA badge! Both were presented to him at half time by Association vice-chairman Billy Bell. (below)
Billy ‘ties’ James to CCFPA
As most Cov fans will be well aware Madders came up through the ranks of the very successful CCFC Academy earning his first team squad number in 2013, debuting in August 2014 and getting a professional contract in November 2014. By the time he left the Sky Blues at the end of January 2016 the 20 year old had won many plaudits for his youthful skill and panache and in 31 appearances (12 starts) he had scored four times for CCFC.
Norwich City were the beneficiaries of his transfer in February 2016 and whilst he made some U23 appearances for the Carrow Road he returned almost immediately back to the Ricoh on loan from February to April 2016 for a further 11 appearances (1 goal). He was then loaned to Scottish outfit Aberdeen for the first half of the 2016-17 season and scored twice in 17 outings for the Scottish club before making his Norwich debut in April 2017. So far, in this current season Madders has played six times for the Canaries (1 goal) in the Championship & EFL Cup and looks set for a long and successful career and is contracted at Carrow Road until 2021.
During last summer James along with fellow CCFPA member Conor Thomas was back in Coventry running their ‘Future Sports’ training school aimed at coaching local kids in football skills (see picture). Conor, of course, has recently announced he has left current club Swindon Town to further his career in India with Atletico de Kolkata.
Welcome James! We look forward to seeing you at Association events as often as you are able to make it!