Coventry City

Former Coventry City striker Clinton Morrison says Sky Blues fans deserve their day in the sun after securing the Championship title and a Premier League return after 25 years.

Morrison was the club's top scorer in 2008-09 and 2009-10 as the Sky Blues finished in the lower reaches of the Championship, though they were relegated to League One two years after his release.

Speaking on the latest episode of the BBC's Football Daily podcast, Morrison said: "They've had to suffer over the years.

"I was at (Sunday's) game against Wrexham and it was a great atmosphere. The fans deserve it.

"Frank Lampard has done a brilliant job, but you can't forget what Mark Robins did for that football club over the years when they struggled with ground shares and so on.

"They have suffered so it's great to see them back in the Premier League where they belong."

Middlesbrough and Ipswich have faltered against the pace set by Coventry at the summit, and City might yet finish double-digits clear after 46 games.

"They have been outstanding," Morrison added. "It's not a fluke when you finish top of the Championship because it's a hard league and it takes a lot out of you.

"They've had a few ups and downs but you have to credit their owner Doug King who went and brought in a couple of players in January that Lampard needed.

"They have been the best team in the league by a country mile."

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Coventry midfielder Jack Rudoni has had surgery on a longstanding shoulder injury and the club hope he will be fit for the start of pre-season.

Rudoni, 24, has played a key role in the Sky Blues' promotion-winning campaign.

And with the Championship title having been secured, it was decided that he would have an operation to give him as much recovery time as possible.

He watched from the stands as Coventry beat Wrexham 3-1 in their final home match of the season.

Manager Frank Lampard explained to BBC CWR: "A shoulder operation which gets him hopefully fit for pre-season or slightly midway through pre-season.

"It was an easy decision to do it as soon as possible. We got over the line and he got it done."

Frank Lampard savoured the party atmosphere as his title-winning Coventry side beat Wrexham 3-1 and lifted the Championship trophy.

The Sky Blues boss praised his players for staying focused in their final home match of a memorable season.

"The celebrations at the end, lifting the cup, families on the pitch - that's what football is all about," Lampard told BBC Radio CWR.

"An incredible fanbase that have suffered a lot and now they get to see a team get 92 points, play with great style, score so many goals - and you can see that connection [with the fans] out there.

"The boys were at it. They wanted to show that they're title winners. Wrexham are fighting for the play-offs, but our boys played really well.

"I've enjoyed watching this team. It's been brilliant. It's been amazing seeing the qualities that they've shown."

Wrexham will aim to retain their place in the play-offs as they make the trip to title winners Coventry City on Sunday (12:00 BST).

The Sky Blues, who won the Championship title on Tuesday, have nothing else to play for except a winning end to their season before they head to the Premier League.

But the Red Dragons are still chasing a place in the top flight and depending how things go for Hull City on Saturday, could be in a need of a win to give them the advantage on the final day.

• Coventry City have won all four of their previous home league games against Wrexham by an aggregate score of 13-3; this is their first, though, since a 3-0 win in October 1963.

• Wrexham are looking to complete their first ever league double over Coventry after their 3-2 win in October. Only Ipswich have beaten the Sky Blues home and away in the Championship this season.

• Coventry have only lost their final home league game in two of the past 10 seasons (W6 D2 – including curtailed 2019-20 season), although those defeats have come in their past four campaigns – 1-2 v Huddersfield in 2021-22 and 1-2 v QPR in 2023-24.

• Wrexham have won their final away league game in each of their past three Football League seasons, never before doing so four times in a row in the Football League.

• Coventry have 52 points at home in the Championship this season; assuming three points/win all-time, only in 1931-32 (53), 1935-36 (58), 1958-59 (58), and 1966-67 (64) have they had more at home in a league season.

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist and Coventry fan

Image source, Shutterstock

The best stories have happy endings and Coventry City finally have theirs.

Just under 12 months ago, I wrote of yet another 'savage ending' in the Coventry storybook' following the Sky Blues' play-off defeat by Sunderland.

But that night at the Stadium of Light has been eclipsed by a Championship campaign branded the "the best ever" by supporters.

Coventry City are back in the Premier League and are champions of the Championship.

A fairytale for the players, staff and supporters alike.

The Sky Blues have come agonisingly close to the Premier League twice before and after finally getting over the line this season, there is an overwhelming sense of shock.

There was a euphoric and emotional atmosphere at Ewood Park after promotion was secured last Friday and just four days later, they won the league on home turf.

That feels all the more special in a season when the Coventry Building Society Arena was bought by owner Doug King and became the club's official home after 20 years.

It will take some time for promotion to sink in but what this means to the city of Coventry and its supporters is immeasurable.

Coventry City are back.

Image source, Shutterstock

Coventry midfielder Ephron Mason-Clark said the city "deserves" to see its team back in the Premier League as Championship winners after their thumping 5-1 win over Portsmouth at CBS Arena.

Mason-Clark scored twice as the Sky Blues romped to the title in style in front of 30,000 fans on Tuesday to confirm they will return to the top flight for the first time in 25 years with a trophy.

"I'm just happy it ended like that," Mason-Clark, whose double took his goal tally to nine this season, told BBC CWR.

"It's always about the team first, but to top off the game like that with a contribution - I'm just pleased."

After clinching promotion with a goalless draw at Blackburn on Friday night, Frank Lampard's City gave their home supporters a treat, delivering the title with another swashbuckling performance that has typified much of their outstanding season.

"Obviously that's much better [result] than at Blackburn," Mason-Clark, 26, said.

"Everyone didn't have as much stress as they did a couple of games ago. It was amazing to be a part of.

"I'm just grateful to be part of this team. Every day something new is happening.

"I'm happy being able to contribute to wins and certain results across the season. I don't look at the numbers too much, I'm just happy with my general performance and the learning."

Mason-Clark said he is already looking forward to next season although the full impact of what they have achieved has not yet hit them.

"I don't think it's sunk in yet. I'm trying to enjoy the moment," he said. "The off-season is going to be a lot about myself on and off the pitch. I know the next stage is where the real learning starts but I'm in a good place."

Coventry City boss Frank Lampard spoke to BBC CWR after his side beat Portsmouth 5-1 to clinch the Championship title.

"It was very apt for these boys to do it in that style at the CBS," he said.

"I was very determined for the players to do it in the right way. I thought it was fantastic and it was perfect as an evening.

(On reaching 90 goals for the season) "We want to play in a style that fans want to come and watch us and we also don't want to concede and I think that's been a big improvement on last season.

"Tonight's performance was the icing on the cake. We want to finish it well and get some more points."