Match Moved For Nothing as Pope Goes To Brum

The asking of the Football League to give Coventry City an away game on the weekend of September 18/19th was for nothing as a mass conducted by Pope Benedict XVI for the beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman will now take place in Birmingham.

Coventry Airport, which could have held 150,000, had been cited as the venue but The Vatican has announced that the 80,000 capacity Cofton Park in Birmingham will be used instead.

A spokesman for the Catholic Church said: "The park is immediately adjacent to Oratory House in Rednal where Cardinal Newman found a place of retreat for quiet reflection and work - he is buried in Rednal Cemetery.

"The park as a venue for the beatification means the Pope can pay a private pilgrimage to the rooms of Cardinal Newman at Birmingham Oratory.

"Both the Vatican and local churches believe the historical resonance of Cofton Park will prove to be a fitting setting for the beatification."

Coventry City will play away at Bristol City on September 18th.