A parade that made 25 years of heartbreak worth it

After 25 long, long years, including a stint in England's fourth tier, Coventry City are back in the Premier League - and on Bank Holiday Monday they celebrated their return to the elite.

More than 50,000 fans filled War Memorial Park after a bus parade through the city.

It was 2001 when the club was relegated at Villa Park, with the infamous "we'll be back" sign held aloft within a sea of sky blue - not wrong, just longer than many could have expected.

A version of that sign was used on the front of the parade bus, which left Coventry Building Society (CBS) Arena at 13:00 BST, before heading through the city.

Many paid tribute to the parade's "incredible" and often raucous atmosphere, complete with vuvuzelas.

The bus parade ended in War Memorial Park, with players taking to the stage before Coventry band The Enemy took over.

Their song We'll Live and Die in These Towns has been sung loud and proud at every home game, timed to reach the crescendo of the chorus seconds before kick-off.

Among those celebrating was singer Tom Grennan, who also performed for fans.

"This is one [gig] that I'll look back on and I'll think wow - what a special moment to do this for the city of Coventry," he said.

"This city has taken me in and called me one of their own, and it doesn't ever get better than that. Every time I'm down here I feel like I'm from Cov.

"I've been a Cov fan since 2016, so I've seen them in League Two. So, to see where they are today is absolutely amazing and to see what it means for the city is unbelievable.

The title was all made possible under the stewardship of England legend Frank Lampard, with the Sky Blues claiming 95 points to clinch the Championship title, 11 clear of Ipswich.

The manager was seen throughout the parade wearing a retro Coventry City tracksuit and sipping a celebratory beer with his players, in what was an emotional occasion for everyone involved.

"I'm a bit speechless right now, it's what you dream of," midfielder Josh Eccles said. "Seeing all the fans come out for a day like today... emotional, ecstatic, sensational."

And from current players, to former players, everyone was there to enjoy the celebrations, including Liam Kelly, who played for the club between 2017 and 2024.

He said: "I'm just so proud of the players, I've played with so many on that team, which was brilliant. To see them, the club and this city - it deserves it."

Another former player, Graham Walker, who watched on from street-level, played for the Sky Blues in the 1950s.

He said: "I have supported Coventry City since I played. It is magnificent. This last season has been wonderful. It has lifted the city. Next year will be special."

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