Fans' Sky Blues film 'more than a football story'

Two Coventry City fans have produced a documentary on the story of the Sky Blues that will get its premiere at a local pub.

The film, created by Jamie McGough and Kieran Doherty, who are both from Coventry, tells the story of the club's fall and rise, culminating in the Doug King and Frank Lampard era, as well as the return to the Premier League.

McGough said the documentary was "more than a football story, it's about a club, a city and a shared habit of coming back".

While We Sing Together shows at the Four Provinces on Allesley Old Road on Friday.

The filmmakers say they are looking into the next steps for getting the documentary seen, with YouTube the front runner among platforms.

For the timebeing, though, they wanted to make sure there were public screenings so people could enjoy a night with other Sky Blues fans "watching our journey together", said McGough, who added he had enjoyed watching games at the Four Provinces in the past.

The film charts not only the results and seasons, but the feelings, views, and drama from the fans' perspective, "which gives it a depth that I think Cov fans will love", McGough said.

It is set to transport viewers back to the low times of the club's history, including relegation and exile from the CBS Arena, all the way up to the Sky Blues' fight back into the top flight of English football after 25 years away.

The documentary involves various contributors including Coventry Telegraph's Sky Blues reporter Andy Turner and former player Barry Quinn.

"But ultimately it's... the voices of the regular fans", McGough said.

"We wanted to platform their feelings and views - as Andy Turner says in the documentary 'the fans are the lifeblood of any football club'."

McGough told BBC CWR that the idea for the documentary sprung up around the time of the Coventry City vs Manchester United FA Cup semi-final in 2024, which saw a controversial offside decision rule out what would have been Victor Torp's winning goal for the Sky Blues.

United ended up winning 4-2 on penalties.

McGough said: "I felt so much about being a Coventry supporter was encapsulated in that day. I've always seen Coventry as a comeback city, and just as the city has bounced back again and again, the team did it that day.

"I think resilience and a never-say-die attitude is in our nature and to see the team representing that on the pitch was incredible."

The filmmakers are hoping the documentary will be seen by as many Coventry City fans as possible, but they are also hoping that it attracts fans from further afield, including those who want to learn more about the club.

Looking ahead to the new season, Doherty said he hoped the club would "finish comfortably, ladder up into the top half in the following season and see where that gets us".

McGough added: "I just want to enjoy it, get behind the team as they face these bigger challenges and remember - even if it gets really tough - what the players, manager, owner did for the club and the city last season."

There are two showings on Friday - one at 19:00 BST and another at 20:00. Tickets are on sale for £10 per person.

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