Coventry City Diamond Club members turned up in record numbers for today's Christmas lunch.
Around 270 members and guests attended the event in the Legends Lounge at the Ricoh Arena where the main guest speakers were Coventry City manager Steven Pressley and his assistant Neil McFarlane.
Former City player David Busst, now the club's director of Football in the Community programme, dropped in to promote the Walking Football to members. Several former Coventry City players take part in the sport.
Another surprise guest was Jacky Isaac, chief executive of ACL. She dropped in to wish the members a merry Christmas and happy new year and as a gesture of appreciation ACL provided complimentary glasses of sparkling wine.
Jacky spoke about the dual role of the Ricoh as a football and rugby venue and reiterated that football would keep the primacy and the Coventry City fixtures would take precedence over the rugby fixtures, but as football will be played on a Saturday and Wasps will play their rugby on Sundays there will not be a conflict.
A new, temporary surface is being laid at the Ricoh and will be ready for Coventry City's next home game on 20th Ddecember when Fleetwood are the visitors. The composite grass synthetic pitch will be laid at the end of the season and will be ready for the start of the 1015/16 season.
Jacky Isaacs said that Wasps have sold over 24,700 tickets for their first match at the Ricoh and are on target to surpass the Rugby Premiership attendance record. She went on to say that 90% of tickets sent out were to Coventry area postcodes, but that does apparantly include many free tickets to schools.
Jacky told the audience that the new composite pitch is aimed at providing a playing surface that will be ideal for both football and rugby. She also said she hoped, but could not yet confirm that the Ricoh would host the final of the Coventry Charity Cup.
Jacky Isaac was presented with a bouquet by the Diamond Club in appreciation of all of her hard work.
Diamond Club member, long time supporter of Coventry City and organiser of the Junior Sky Blues (JSBs) Pat Reybould was thanked by Joe Elliott for her hard work withe the JSBs and presented with a donation from the Diamond Club which will be used to fund the JSB Christmas party, which is being held at the Alan Higgs Centre.
A report of the interview with Steven Pressley will be published seperately.