John Sillett led Coventry City to their most famous victory

The Arena project is planned as a multi-purpose complex, with dining and conference facilities, a music venue, a hotel and a casino, as well as being the new home of the Sky Blues.

John Sillett, the man who managed the club to FA Cup victory in 1987, drove in the first stake at what will be the centre point of the new pitch on the site of the former Foleshill gasworks.

The 32,000 all-seater stadium means the end of more than a century of football at the club's current home, Highfield Road.

Council backing

Sillett said he hoped Coventry City would be successful in their new surroundings.

"May all who play on her in sky blue have a great, great season and a great time playing here."

The project, which has been plagued with difficulties from the outset, was saved last October when Coventry City Council injected the �21m needed to keep it alive.

The stadium is scheduled to be ready by August 2005.