THE people of Coventry are survivors. Whether it be battling Nazis, Tories or hedge funds.

When Margaret Thatcher and her cabal of callous Tories effectively abandoned the country’s post-industrial bases in the north of England and the Midlands during the 1980s, the city of Coventry faced a struggle to reinvent itself amid demoralising deindustrialisation, unsettling urban decay and fierce unemployment.

Not for nothing did two-tone ska genius Jerry Dammers and The Specials pen their biting social commentary Ghost Town. After all, the legendary band hailed from Coventry.

Yet, amid that tough decade, Coventry City, founded in August 1883 as Singer FC — underlining their existence to industry and the motor manufacturing business in particular — lifted the first major honour in the club’s history.

By beating the dilettantes of Spurs 3-2 in a thrilling FA Cup final in 1987, the club brought hope to its supporters and in a wider sense, the people of Coventry. 

Many of those who took to the streets to celebrate the never to be forgotten Wembley victory would have lived through the Coventry Blitz on those same streets 40 years earlier when Nazi bombs rained down.

The people of Coventry are survivors.

The evening of November 14 1940 was cold and clear. Perfect conditions for the 515 German bombers flying to Coventry to wreak death and destruction on this proud, working-class industrial city.

The RAF had just bombed Munich and the Fuehrer sought deadly vengeance on this west Midlands target. Come cruel morning more than 500 men, women and children had been killed. The raid was so destructive Joseph Goebbels used the word Coventriert (“Coventried”) when describing laying waste to a city.

Yet, Coventry and its people refused to give in. Communities rallied after mourning with a quiet dignity. No looting was reported. Amid the ruined centre, people collected nails and melted metal from their cathedral. One that had antecedents stretching back to the 11th century, now obliterated.

Later, a cross of remembrance was fashioned from the sacred alloys and placed in the new cathedral.

Post-war years

Coventry City struggled during the post-war years, with legendary manager Harry Storey who had been with the club since 1931 left for Birmingham City in 1945.

He returned in 1951 but his ageing side were relegated to Division Three South in 1952. In 1958 City became founder members of the newly formed Division Four.

Post-war boom

The 1960s was a boom time in Coventry, with many car factories in the area keeping pace with increased consumer demand as the dull post-war years slid into memory.

Highfield Road was rebuilt to eventually become the first all-seater stadium in the country.

Jimmy Hill, with the backing of chairman Derrick Robins, was the Pied Piper who led the club to the Division Two title and promotion for the first time to the promised land of Division 1 in 1967.

Coventry had reached the top tier in style, as champions, and set their record attendance — officially recorded as 51,455, although contemporary accounts suggest there were as many as 60,000 against eventual runners-up Wolves in April, 1967.

Coventry even beat the mighty Bayern Munich with goals from John O’Rourke and Neil Martin help the Sky Blues win 2-1 on the night in the Inter Cities Fairs Cup on another cold, crisp November evening in Coventry, in 1970.  

A new Millennium: a new fight for survival

When the new millennium dawned in 2000, Coventry City played in the Premier League, in their own city, and owned their own stadium.

Fast forward two wretched decades for the Sky Blues, by 2020, they had seemingly lost everything.

Premier League status was lost back in 2001, with the club embarking on a relentlessly gruelling odyssey around all four divisions.

The club lost its own stadium when Coventry exited their historic home between 1899 and 2005 and allowed Highfield Road to be bulldozed for housing redevelopment.

City couldn’t even claim to play in their own city — spending three long years in the wilderness playing many miles away from Coventry at Sixfields, Northampton (2013-14), and then for two years at St Andrew’s in Birmingham (2019-2021).

Thankfully the long-running battle between previous owners, hedge fund owners SISU and landlords Coventry City Council was now over amid ferocious and debilitating internecine strife — with the club recently agreeing a new five-year deal to play at the stadium with Frasers, which bought the stadium following the collapse of rugby club Wasps.

No wonder Sky Blues supporters were simply happy to be back in their own city. Even if, by the end of September 2022, a series of postponements had seen Coventry only take on seven of the first 10 fixtures of the new campaign — with six of those away games, which had seen the team yet to earn a victory.

From survival to success

However, boss Mark Robins refused to panic, and his impressive City side began to climb the table as the club finally freed itself from the disastrous ownership by shadowy hedge fund SISU.

Powered by Viktor Gyokeres a 24-year-old striker who has had a stellar campaign, the 13 capped Swedish international netted 22 goals in 49 games, providing 11 assists, while Brazil-born midfielder with an eye for goal, Gustavo Hamer also starred,the talented 25-year-old grabbing 10 strikes in 44 games, while providing a further 10 assists.

City’s burgeoning rise culminated in ending the season in a remarkable fifth place. On a fraction of the budgets of parachute payment-boosted Champions Burnley and runners-up Sheffield United. Prior to dispatching Middlesbrough in the Championship semi-finals.

No wonder Robins — dubbed a “miracle worker” by Sky Blues fans — was awarded a new four-year contract. 

In a clever move, the 53-year-old’s new deal was announced by the club hours before their play-off semi-final second leg against Middlesbrough, which ended in a 1-0 victory over the Teessiders, with the winner scored by Hamer.

Robins is in his second spell in charge and has guided City from League Two to being in contention for a return to the top-flight after a 22-year absence.

What follows next is a mouth-watering Wembley clash against another side that simply refused to die, Luton Town.

Whatever happens, on what is sure to be a dramatic final in the national stadium on Saturday, Coventry City, the club’s fans, and the people of Coventry can truly be described as survivors.

Whether they be facing Nazis, Tories or hedge funds.