New arch keeps Highfield Road memories alive

A striking new archway was unveiled on Tuesday at a park that was once the site of Coventry City's former Highfield Road stadium.

The centre of Signet Square has been renamed Highfield Road Park, in tribute to the club's historic home, and the newest addition to the project is a blue arch that is flanked by two club crests on either side.

Jim Brown, of the Sky Blue Archive, said the "wonderful" archway, which comes after a commemorative plaque in 2024, is the result of a lot of hard work by a group of volunteers.

Former Coventry City player Andy Whing, who scored the last goal at the club's old stadium in 2005, cut the ribbon and said it was an "honour".

Several organisations and individuals came together in creating the archway, that is more than 10 ft tall, including the Sky Blue Archive, Coventry City Council and Coventry firms LFE Engineering, Coventry Neweld, and Auto Japanese Spares.

Coventry City are back in the Premier League this season for the first time in 25 years, having last played in the top flight in 2001 when Highfield Road was still in use.

Joe Elliott MBE, former chairman of Coventry City, attended the opening ceremony of the new archway and told BBC CWR: "It brings back incredible memories to see this developing as a park and as a memory bank of what we all had at Highfield Road.

"We saw some incredible football, we were beating teams like Villa, Liverpool and Manchester United.

"The best players in the world were appearing here every week. It's very special".

The Sky Blues played their final match at the stadium in 2005 after 106 years at the ground, with the stadium demolished the following year and redeveloped for housing.

Four vision boards are planned for Highfield Road Park displaying photographs showing the former stadium alongside images of the housing development that replaced it.

Plans are also in place for Coventry's first dementia bench, which organisers hope will be installed next year.

The bench will feature a plaque and QR code linking visitors to the Coventry Dementia Hub and encourage people to reminisce and share memories.

Pete Withero, of the group, said Highfield Road Park "should be a tourist attraction for fans who used to go to the ground".

"The archway marks a significant step in making Highfield Road Park a focal point for fans to reminisce about their own experiences," he added.

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