This season, Coventry City plans to make another run at promotion in the Championship.
The Sky Blues had a fantastic season last year and advanced to the play-off final, but Luton Town defeated them at Wembley in May on penalties.
Viktor Gyokeres and Gustavo Hamer, two crucial players for Coventry, left this summer to join Sporting Lisbon and Sheffield United, respectively. However, owner Doug King has given manager Mark Robins significant support in the transfer market to replace them.
Haji Wright, a USA international, was acquired by the Sky Blues from Antalyaspor, breaking their transfer record in the process. Other players they acquired include Jay Dasilva, Ellis Simms, Tatsuhiro Sakamoto, Brad Collins, Joel Latibeaudiere, Bobby Thomas, Milan van Ewijk, Liam Kitching, and Luis Binks.
Jonson Clarke-Harris
When he entered as a substitute against Morecambe in the EFL Cup in August 2010 at the age of 16 years and 20 days, Clarke-Harris became Coventry’s youngest-ever player. However, his first team appearances were few, and the club released him in 2012.
After stints with Peterborough United, Southend United, Bury, Oldham Athletic, Rotherham United, MK Dons, and Doncaster Rovers, the striker returned to the Sky Blues on loan in January 2018 and made the agreement permanent that summer after assisting the team in being promoted from League Two.
However, Clarke-Harris was once more permitted to leave Coventry since he joined Bristol Rovers in January 2019. It was there that he found his form, tallying 27 goals in 49 appearances for the club.
Josh Ruffels
Before being released in 2013, Ruffels made just two appearances for the Sky Blues.
After leaving the team, the 29-year-old signed on with Oxford United, where he had an incredibly successful eight-year run, winning promotion from League Two and twice making it to the League One Playoffs with the U’s.
Ruffels moved to Huddersfield Town in July 2021 and, while having little playing time in his first season, helped the Terriers win the Championship under Neil Warnock last season with three goals in 33 appearances.
He provides useful versatility by having the capacity to play at left-back or in midfield, and Warnock, who gave him a new contract, has obviously been impressed.
Dean Kiely
Former goalkeeper Kiely is one retiring player Coventry might have regretted losing.
Although Kiely advanced through the Sky Blues system, he never played for the main team. In May 1990, following a loan with York City, he made a permanent move to join the Minstermen.
The 52-year-old would go on to make 759 appearances over the course of a stellar career while playing for teams like Bury, Charlton Athletic, Portsmouth, Luton Town, and West Bromwich Albion, many of which were Premier League contests. He also represented the Republic of Ireland at the international level.
Coventry has had several excellent goalkeepers over the years, but they might be wondering what could have been if Kiely had been given more chances to play goal.
