Dave Boddy: Coventry City chief executive to leave after seven years in role
- Published
Dave Boddy has been with Coventry City since February 2017
Coventry City chief executive Dave Boddy is to leave the Championship club in January.
Boddy has spent almost seven years in the job having joined the club in February 2017, just weeks before Mark Robins' key return as manager.
In that time they have enjoyed three trips to Wembley, two promotions and the lifting of the EFL Trophy.
Most importantly, Boddy helped see the club to the end of their long-running stadium rent row - and to a takeover.
And he has helped to keep a hand on the tiller to maintain upwardly smooth progress since Doug King's arrival as City owner a year ago.
"I have decided to call time on my part in the incredible journey that we have been on together over the last seven years," said Worcestershire-based Boddy, who arrived at the club following various sports administration roles, including at Worcestershire CCC, the then Football Conference, Worcester City and Newport County, who he helped to steer back into the Football League.
"I am leaving the club on excellent terms, which is my decision, and am taking a break to recharge my batteries. Doug King has a vision of the way he wants to take the club forward towards the Premier League, and I sincerely hope that he can deliver it."
"Dave has been an incredible servant to the club over a long period of time," said King. "He leaves Coventry City in a far better position than what he inherited. He has been very supportive to the direction of travel that I plan to take the club and this seems an ideal time to part company."
City manager Mark Robins added: "I'd like to thank Dave for all his help and support over the past seven years. He has helped to facilitate all of the decisions during my tenure. I will miss our daily interactions."
Boddy's time with the Sky Blues
"I decided back in the summer to leave, but agreed to stay on while Doug undertook his restructuring process, which he has now nearly completed," Boddy continued.
"Under extremely difficult circumstances, our achievements have been quite incredible, and I am really proud of the part that I have played.
"Through the brilliance of Mark Robins, who I have a wonderful relationship with, and Adi Viveash [assistant manager] we have restored the club from the depths of League Two to Championship play-off finalists.
"We have achieved all of this against the odds, with many challenges and obstacles along the way.
"Being forced out of the Arena by Wasps in 2019 and having to groundshare with Birmingham City at St Andrew's, closely followed by the pandemic, was very difficult.
"In March 2021 we managed to achieve an excellent 10-year agreement with Wasps to return to the Arena, only for them to go bankrupt and fold in November 2022.
"Last year was a particularly difficult year, considering the issues that we had with the pitch at the Arena due to the Commonwealth Games rugby being played, closely followed by the demise of Wasps and nearly of the arena itself. This makes the achievement of reaching the play-off final even more of a miracle, with all our playing successes at every stage coming with below average budgets.
"We have also seen rises in attendances and we have improved the relationship with supporters. When I joined relationships were toxic, but that is no longer the case."