Mark Robins sends heartfelt message to 'incredible and unwavering' Coventry City fans

Mark Robins has thanked Coventry City fans from the “bottom of his heart” for their unwavering support through his seven and a half years as manager of the club.

Speaking for the first time publicly since being sacked by owner Doug King, the former Sky Blues boss reflected on his time in charge, looking back with great “pride and fondness” at his connection to the city and the football club that will stay with him for the rest of his life.

The 54-year-old has been recognised by Coventry University with an honorary doctorate for his huge impact on football and the community of Coventry as a whole. Professor John Latham CBE, Vice-Chancellor of Coventry University, said: “Mark Robins has played a crucial role in helping Coventry City come out of a dark few years and helped restore pride and belief among the fan base.”

READ MORE: Returning options and forced hand - Coventry City predicted team v Sheffield Utd

READ MORE: Wright, Sheaf, Dovin - City injuries & expected return dates ahead of Sheffield Utd

Speaking after becoming an Honorary Doctor of Administration during a ceremony at Coventry Cathedral, CoventryLive asked him if bringing the fans and the football club back together was his biggest achievement.

“When I think back to when I first came in, which is a long time ago now, there was a massive disconnect and when I walked through the door it was worse than it was five years earlier (in his first stint as manager), and it was a real eye-opener," he said. "But for me, it was a real opportunity.

“My skill set is that, really, amongst other things and not confined to, but looking at a club and organisation and how to put it together again in a coherent way that’s going to stand the test of time and give you a coherent football club. So the first thing that was really important to do, and Dave Boddy coming in was hugely important because I needed a chief executive.”

It was fitting that Boddy was his guest at the colourful ceremony, the two clearly still extremely close.

“I’m really proud of everything that we have achieved and really proud of the relationship the fans have got with their football club now, and that is down to a number of things and factors, including all the work that went on with Dave, Tynan (Scope) and a number of people that allowed us to go and speak and be frank and talk to the supporters and earn their trust. And that was a huge milestone to hit, which allows you to then move forward.

“And the support has been incredible. I have said before, all the players and all the staff, every one of them, have played a huge role in moving the club forward and that is something that I am really proud of, the achievements and the journey we have had along the way is something that everyone will remember for the rest of their lives. And hopefully things will get better and there will be more of those times to come.

“I’m disappointed we didn’t get into the Premier League but I am really proud of everything we did.”

The club has undoubtedly edged closer to achieving that goal under his watch, being a penalty kick away in the play-off final in 2023.

“Yes, 100 percent," he agreed, "but I just want to thank the support because it has been unwavering and incredible. And without the people, the supporters you can’t achieve anything and I have got great pride in that, along with a lot of other things alongside it but, primarily, that has been great.

“The players have been fantastic along the way and we have had some brilliant players through and sold, and playing small parts in their careers along the way and having really good experiences with us, and you can’t take that away.”

Taking him back to the beginning and where it all started on his return in 2017 and shortly afterwards the Checkatrade Trophy final at Wembley, faced with a sea of sky blue from 43,000 fans, I asked him if that was that the moment he thought, ‘this is something special going on here, we can really do something here’.

“Yes, that was the day," he said. "I said at the time, this is where we put the wood in the door, we will use this as the turning point. And that’s exactly what we did because that day was really pivotal and really important because it gave people a reason to be proud of their football club and start to believe again. It was huge.”

The knock-on effect of two promotions and four Wembley visits has seen kids in the city with Coventry City shirts on their backs rather than Manchester City or United tops on.

“Honestly, it’s been unbelievable,” he said. “I’ll look back with so much pride and fondness. The city is brilliant. And I have had a brilliant time, enjoyed every minute, even the hard times.

“I can look back and you can learn a lot of things from it. I got plenty of things wrong but I got more right and I can learn from the experience. But I will honestly look back on this last seven and a half years when I don’t feel like I have done any work because it has just been a passion and labour of love.

“And that’s been aided by brilliant people. And again, the supporters have been unwavering and unconditional; incredible, and for that I thank them from the bottom of my heart. Without them it would have been impossible.”

Asked if any of his above achievements standout more than others, he said: “They’re all very special but then there are games like the win at Fulham away, the unbelievable performance at home against them and Sheffield United when I had Covid and we won 4-1. That stands out massively.

"There have been a ton or brilliant games and some really bad ones as well. When I look back at Yeovil Town at home and they were tough, tough times but you have to experience those times to appreciate the good times. And you learn not to get too low and not get too high. It’s just been brilliant, loved every minute.”

As for the out-pouring of love from the fans following his dismissal, and asked if that has been a comfort to him, he said: “I don’t use it as comfort. I am not on social media but I am not going to lie and say I am not aware of how they have reacted to it. Like I said, their support has always been unwavering and unconditional. Although it was conditional because we’d had great times together and they will forever remember them, as will I, and I will always cherish the time that I have spent here with them and all the people that I have worked with, everyone of them, and all the players who have been through and are still here.”

And finally, asked about his doctorate and if that’s been humbling to receive, he said: “Very! Hundreds of people have just been presented with their degrees and they have worked and earned their degree. This has been bestowed upon me for doing a job that I really loved and I am forever grateful. And it’s just another part of my history with Coventry.”