Coventry City have agreed a deal to return to the Ricoh Arena after more than a year of playing their football in Northampton.
A statement released by the club has confirmed a deal for a return has been signed after terms were agreed following secret talks between lawyers acting for club owners Sisu and Ricoh Arena operators ACL.
The two-year deal, with an option for an extra two years, should see the Sky Blues play at the Ricoh Arena for the first time in the league against Gillingham on Friday September 5.
The Football League appears to have given its consent to the move after releasing a statement praising the parties for coming to a resolution following a long-running dispute.
Steve Waggott, development director at Coventry City FC, said: “We are delighted to get this deal done and I am sure every supporter of Coventry City will be thrilled with this news.
“We are under no illusion what a difficult 12 months it has been for the supporters and that was uppermost in our thinking as we worked to get this deal done.
“There has had to be compromise on both sides and the commercial details of the deal will remain confidential.
“Can I also take this opportunity of thanking Chris Robinson, Chair of ACL, for the professional manner he has conducted our lengthy discussions to reach this agreement.”
Chris Robinson said: “Everyone at ACL looks forward to delivering a top quality service to the club and the fans.”
A compensation payment will also be due to Northampton Town from the Sky Blues as part of the contractual conditions drawn up when the two clubs agreed a three-year ground share deal, with an option for two further years, ahead of last season. The club says they have kept to Cobblers informed about their plans to return to the Ricoh Arena and thanked the club for its hospitality.
The deal between ACL and Sisu comes after a bitter dispute which began in April 2012 when the Sky Blues began withholding rent from the stadium operators.
The fall-out ultimately led to the club’s owners moving the club out of the Ricoh Arena ahead of last season to play “home” matches 35 miles away in Northampton.
