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Quiet confidence, then tears - but 'unsinkable' Coventry are back
TL;DR
Coventry City, known for their remarkable escapes from relegation, were relegated from the Premier League in 2001 after a 34-year tenure. Their final match saw them lose to Aston Villa, ending a significant chapter in their history.
Key points
- Coventry City was relegated from the Premier League in 2001
- They had a 34-year stay in the top flight
- Coventry became known for late escapes from relegation
- They lost their final match to Aston Villa
- Coventry secured survival on the last day 10 times
Coventry CityAston Villa
Figure caption,
The Coventry City fans caught on camera after relegation
When Coventry were relegated from the Premier League in 2001, it brought to an end one of football's biggest 'Houdini' stories.
In a 34-year stay in the top flight, the Sky Blues became masters of the late escape - securing survival on the final day of the season 10 times.
But on 5 May 2001, they could not save themselves, losing to Midlands rivals Aston Villa to drop to what was then known as Division One.
On Sunday, they will be presented with the Championship trophy following their match against Wrexham after securing their return to the Premier League as champions.
BBC Sport spoke to three people who were pictured at Villa Park as teenagers on the day Coventry were relegated to reflect on an emotional afternoon - and tumultuous 25 years since.
'We went into that day quietly confident'
Rick Cushen and Graeme Nason went to many games together as schoolkids and remember arriving at Villa Park almost expecting another great escape.
"It never felt like we were going to get relegated," Rick told BBC Sport.
"Maybe that was just my age and the naivety of youth, but we had turned a bit of a corner in our form so we went into that day quietly confident."
"We thought we'd beat Villa and that we could do it," said Graeme. "I remember thinking it's what Coventry do - they survive."
That looked the likeliest outcome when Mustapha Hadji gave Coventry a two-goal lead, but Villa rallied to win 3-2 and results elsewhere went against the Sky Blues.
Rick and Graeme were caught on camera trying to process the reality of what was happening in front of them.
They both remember wanting to avoid eye contact with the photographer - Graeme looked away while Rick looked down while "holding it back".
"There were tears in my eyes and I was very upset," he said. "It was the days before social media too, so it was all genuine emotion and no-one was posing."
Despite relegation, Graeme said there was positivity in the hours that followed.
"Loads of fans went out that night and were all singing 'we're going to win the league' because we thought it would be a one-season thing," he said.
"If you told me then it would be 25 years, I'd have said: 'No chance.' But we've been through a lot since then."
'Being unsinkable took on a whole new meaning'
Q&A
What year did Coventry City get relegated from the Premier League?
Coventry City was relegated from the Premier League in 2001.
How long did Coventry City stay in the top flight of English football?
Coventry City had a 34-year stay in the top flight of English football.
Who did Coventry City lose to in their final match before relegation?
Coventry City lost to Midlands rivals Aston Villa in their final match before relegation.
How many times did Coventry City secure survival on the final day of the season?
Coventry City secured survival on the final day of the season 10 times during their top-flight tenure.
