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Blast From The Past: On This Day 1920 – Coventry City Supporters Club Formed (at The Empire)

Thanks to former CCFPA committee member Dean Nelson for reminding us that on this day (28th July) in 1920 a meeting was held at the Corn Exchange, Hertford Street, Coventry and the first formally constituted Coventry City Supporters Club was formed.

The idea had been mooted in the local media during CCFC’s inaugural season (1919-20) in the Football League when the newcomers, after a struggle (and some shenanigans) just about maintained their Division Two status for this their second season.

After the meeting. the main instigator of the Supporters Club, Herbert W Kendall, became its first Secretary. Lewis Bennington was the first Chairman with Vice Chairman George Hayes (later a CCFC Director). Treasurer was Frank Kimberley and Henry Maddocks accepted the President’s role.  The eight members of the committee were George H.Parsons, Arthur Baker, Oliver Hollowell, William G. Slade, Walter J. Harris, Henry A. Jackson, Arthur J. Gardner and William Dabbs. A major purpose of the group was to raise funds for the cash strapped CCFC to help the club with ground improvements and other important projects.

Relations between the club and their supporters organisations have proved a strong and enduring link through most of Coventry City’s history as they are currently! The definitive 100 page history of CCSC (up to the date of publication) was produced by Sky Blue historian Lionel Bird in 2002 ‘History of the Official Coventry City Supporters Club 1920-2002
Interestingly, the Corn Exchange later became another venue dear to the memory of older Coventry folk, the old Empire Theatre which later became the Empire Cinema (left).

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