Exclusive – Goode: Wasps’ Coventry move ‘a necessity’

Wasps fly-half Andy Goode has told talkSPORT their controversial relocation to Coventry City’s Ricoh Arena was ‘a necessity’ for the club’s future.

Fans were furious after the two-time European champions confirmed they had agreed the £19million move from their High Wycombe home - their base for the past 12 years - and are set to start life at their new ground in December.

Wasps were close to going bankrupt two years ago before a multi-million pound takeover by Irish businessman Derek Richardson, and Goode insists - while he feels for supporters - that it was Coventry or bust for the side.

"The move was a necessity,” he told Weekend Sports Breakfast.

“The club was an hour away from going bust a couple of years ago, so I think you need to look at the bigger picture.

“Derek Richardson came in and has funded the club to the find of around £10million over the last two years to rescue us, and every sports club needs to be sustainable, you can’t just have one benefactor writing cheques month-in, month-out.

“Everyone wants Wasps to be here in 30 or 40 years time, so I think the move had to happen.

“It’s obviously very hard on Wasps fans with having to relocate to Coventry, and we feel for them.

“But the Ricoh Arena is a fantastic stadium, it’s a world-class facility, and being a lifelong Coventry fan I’m really excited to run out on the pitch.

“Overall it’s an exciting move and there’s a big future ahead of us.”