 |  Highfield Road was a lovely stadium to play at. The surface was great and the fans were excellent |
Coventry legend Steve Ogrizovic thinks a win over Derby would be a fitting finale to the Sky Blues' 106-year stay at Highfield Road. Ogrizovic, holder of City's all-time appearance record, will join a parade of former players before the match.
He told BBC Sport: "It will be a special occasion.
"We need to win to make sure we stay in the Championship. If we do we know we will be safe and it would be a great send-off for the old ground."
Ogrizovic, 48, played 601 games for Coventry over 16 years after joining in 1984 and is now in charge of the club's academy.
He admits to having mixed feelings about City's move to the Ricoh Arena for the start of next season, but knows it is for the good of the club.
"Everyone at Coventry - the players, staff and supporters, are really looking forward to going to our new home," he said.
| OGRIZOVIC FACTFILE Goalkeeper D.O.B: 12.09.57 At Coventry: 1984-2000 Appearances: 601 Goals: 1 |
"Anyone who has seen the arena and the size of the development will know what a great opportunity it is. It really is state of the art.
"But to leave Highfield Road is sad. It's where Coventry City's history is."
The old ground is destined to become a housing estate but Ogrizovic will never forget his times there.
"I've got a lot of memories," he said. "I made my debut in 1984 and played my last game in 2000.
"I cherished every game - most professionals do - and I thought of it as a privilege to play for Coventry.
"Highfield Road was a lovely stadium to play at. The surface was great and the fans were excellent.
"Whether the team was doing well, or not so well, they have always been there.
 Steve Ogrizovic broke George Curtis's club appearance record in 1996-97 |
"In many of the seasons when the side was fighting relegation from the top flight, our fate hinged on key games there and the crowd played a massive role in us getting the right results.
"They were always a 12th man for us."
The successful climax to one of Coventry's escapes from relegation during the 80s is the Highfield Road moment that stands out for Ogrizovic.
"My favourite memory is from my first ever season in 1984-85," he said.
"I don't know how or why but everyone else at the bottom had finished their seasons and we were eight points adrift with three games still to play.
"Two of them were at Highfield Road, and after going to Stoke and winning we beat Luton in front of a packed house.
"Then we had to play Everton, who had already been crowned champions, on a Sunday morning, and we had to win to stay up.
"The atmosphere was immense and there was so much support from the fans. They never stopped chanting.
"We beat them 4-1 and afterwards it felt as if we had won the league, not just escaped relegation. The celebrations were fantastic."
MMIX
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