Coventry await their fate as deadline approaches

Jun 13 2008 By Brian Dick, Rugby Correspondent

The fate of beleaguered National One outfit Coventry should become clearer by the end of the day as they seek to satisfy Rugby Football Union concerns about their future viability.

The Butts Park club have been given a deadline of today to prove to the governing body they have sufficient financial backing to play in the First Division next season and beyond, a lease to play at their purpose built ground, and will pay all outstanding ‘rugby’ creditors after going into administration in February.

If they fail to convince the union they have the wherewithal to fulfil that brief they face being expelled from National One and potentially demoted right to the bottom of the rugby pyramid – a sanction that could spell the end of Andrew Green’s ownership of the club. Coventry literally are fighting for the right to survive.

While the deadline passes today, a final decision may not be made until this weekend or potentially even beyond. The RFU are working towards a June 15 cut-off point because that is the date at which leagues have to be finalised.

Should the matter drift beyond then and Coventry are kicked out, next year’s First Division would be played with just 15 clubs.