An American man is hoping that he can swell Coventry City’s support when he brings an U19’s side to the city from the USA.

Californian Bob Nelsen joined the Sky Blue Army himself when he married Coventry woman Geraldine Roche, and whilst visiting the city decided to attend Highfield Road.

He said:

"My first match was a New Year’s Day game against Spurs and seeing the atmosphere and the pace of the game cemented my love of all things Sky Blue."

And Nelsen is hoping the trip will have the same impact on a group of youngsters when he brings the U19’s side that he coaches on tour to Coventry.

He has led Rocklin United for five years and will bring them to the city as part of a ten day trip to the country, and they are looking for sides to play while they are over here.

Nelsen said:

"We hope to arrive in London 20 April, 2000, and spend a day or two in the capital but when we come to Coventry we will probably be playing against the Sky Blue Army side and an Internet supporters side.

"We would very much like to play a team in our age group, one that would view it as a friendly match and not an international. We are not up to that standard."

And the Californian is hoping to return home on 1 May with a group of new found Sky Blues supporters.

He said:

"This is my last year of coaching the boys and I wanted to bequeath to them a love of Coventry City.

"Hopefully we will be able to line up tickets for the three matches City play during our visit, it will be wonderful for them to see Premier League football – there’s nothing like it in American sport.

"The atmosphere and singing as well as the standard of play will be a revelation to them, and of course I hope they’ll be recruited into the world-wide Sky Blue Army."