Coventry begin search for new stadium for next season

The League One club moved to the 32,000-capacity Ricoh Arena in 2005

A view of Coventry's Ricoh Arena (GETTY IMAGES)

Coventry have begun looking for a new ground to play their home games next season.

The npower League One club remain at loggerheads with ACL, the owners of the Ricoh Arena, over unpaid rent and are now making contingency plans.

In a statement, chief executive Tim Fisher said: "The fact is that we are being locked out of the Ricoh Arena.

"We have been told that there is no further room for negotiation and an offer that we made to get back round the negotiating table has been rejected.

"It is with great regret that we now have no alternative but to consider other arrangements for next season and we would be failing the club, its supporters and its staff if we did not start making such plans now.

"The club is keeping the relevant football authorities fully informed of developments, and we will keep everyone informed when there is specific further news."

Coventry moved to the 32,000-capacity Ricoh Arena from their old Highfield Road ground in 2005 but were relegated to League One seven years later.

They were deducted 10 points after entering administration last month and finished the season in 15th.