--- source: thedugout.football generated: 2026-07-24T21:00:47.791Z last_updated: 2026-07-23T10:22:36+00:00 data_provider: API-Football canonical: https://thedugout.football/clubs/coventry-city/news/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuY292ZW50cnl0ZWxlZ3JhcGgubmV0L3Nwb3J0L2Zvb3RiYWxsL2Zvb3RiYWxsLW5ld3MvZmFkei1yZWdyZXRzLWxvdmUtY292ZW50cnktY2l0eS0zNDI1MTUxOQ --- # Kyle McFadzean on Kitch pace, need for Bidders and love for Cov in the Prem - **Source:** - **Published:** 23 Jul - **Club:** Coventry City - **Original URL:** https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/football/football-news/fadz-regrets-love-coventry-city-34251519 When the fans sang Kyle McFadzean’s name from the terraces at Watford as they bid farewell to the Championship with a thumping 4-0 sign-off victory, they did so out of genuine affection for a true Coventry City legend. He wasn’t the only one, of course, as the partying Sky Blue faithful went through their entire repertoire of player songs from the modern era in recognition of the part the likes of Fadz, Michael Doyle, Liam Kelly, Max Biamou, Gus Hamer and Viktor Gyokeres to name just a few played in the club’s rise back to the Premier League. Without those lads, it’s fair to say, the club would not have been where it is today, and it’s testament to the connection between previous squad incarnations and the supporters that they are still held in such high regard, never to be forgotten for the part they played on this wonderful journey we’ve been on. “Kitch told me about the fans singing my name and some of the other lads, and that’s really special to be quite honest,” said McFadzean, who maintains a strong link with the club via close friends Liam Kitching and Jake Bidwell. “That’s the one thing with Cov fans, they don’t forget do they, always remember players from the past and give them credit. Those fans are just something else, to be honest.” And it’s those fans he’s so happy for after the club finally got over the promotion line in May. “It was about time because they were getting closer every year and obviously it was nice to see,” said the 39-year-old, who is currently in pre-season with Chesterfield. “They deserve it because they were the most consistent team by a country mile last season, and I’m buzzing for all the lads. And especially the fans. They deserve it so much, especially for some of the stuff they have had to put up with over the years. It’s a proper club isn’t it, so it’s good to see.” Asked if he feels that he played his part in the journey back, having helped establish City as an upwardly mobile Championship club that went agonisingly close in the play-off final in 2023, the no-nonsense centre-half said: “Yeah, I do and I am just gutted that I didn’t get the chance to do it myself. But they have been knocking on the door for the last couple of years, even after I left they missed out on the play-offs again and you wonder if it’s going to happen the next season. “But watching them last season, sometimes they wouldn’t be in a game and then all of a sudden they’d score four goals. I remember watching Middlesbrough away on the telly and thinking that Boro looked good and then they just took over and hammered them and won 4-2 in what was a massive game.” It’s not unusual for former players to keep an eye on their old clubs but McFadzean clearly sees himself as a fan, revealing: “I watch them as much as possible on the telly and I go to games as well when I can. I came to the game at the CBS after they got over the line at Blackburn. And I have been saying to Kitch already that I can’t wait to come and watch next season in the Prem, so he’d better be playing. “I will come as often as I can when I am not playing myself and bring my son as well, because he will want to watch.” Like the rest of the Sky Blue Army, Fadz is fascinated to see how many new players Frank Lampard will bring in this summer. “I don’t think you want them to do a Sunderland and make loads of changes but then again, you look at what they did last season... So maybe three or four, it depends on whether the ambition is to just stay up but it’s going to be tough no matter what. “I think you have to give the existing lads an opportunity but it’s a business for Doug (King) at the end of the day, so he’s going to want them to stay up.” Team spirit has been a huge strength at City ever since the League Two promotion-winning side almost a decade ago. But how far can that take the current group when they step up to the top flight? “It can take you a long way, and I always remember Sheffield United doing it that way,” he said. “I think it can but are Coventry going to score as many goals in the Prem as they did in the Championship? “Not only that, are they going to keep as many clean sheets. It’s a tough one and I can’t really say because I’ve not played in the Premier League, but all teams that do go up, very rarely do they put their stamp on it. “They’ve got to be looking at what Sheffield United did when they first went up and finished ninth or something, or do a Brentford or Sunderland.” Like most professionals at whatever level of the game, McFadzean watches plenty of Premier League football on the TV. So what sort of qualities are needed for a centre-back in the modern game at that level? “Pace and power, definitely,” he said. “It’s all that in the Premiership where everyone around them is quick at that level. You’ll always get one or two who are extremely quick, like Milan (van Ewijk), the shorter ones. "But it’s a top, top league and Frank Lampard has been there and played in it for all his career. He knows it inside out so if there’s one person who can lead the team to stay up, I’m sure it’s him. “And I think given the connections he will have in the game it will help with bringing in players as well. So it’s exciting to see what happens.” He added: “But I do think some of the lads who have gone up are good enough to play in the Premier League, definitely, 100 percent. "I know they have a few tough fixtures at the start of the season and it will be important to get a good start, but it’s probably better to play them early doors because with the World Cup and stuff they may not be in their rhythm. And they won’t necessarily know so much about Coventry and how they play.” City kick-off their return to the Premier League at Champions, Arsenal, and play runners up Man City a fortnight later. “They might take the occasional hiding but it’s just how they react,” said Fadz. “If they can get a couple of experienced players who have been there and done it, do you know what I mean, not that are too old but if they can get a couple who have gone down this year.” McFadzean continues to keep in touch with players he played with at City, none more so than fellow centre-back Kitching, for whom he’s been a bit of a mentor. “I speak to him all the time and I just think he’s grown since he’s been at Coventry,” said the defender, who played 171 times for the Sky Blues, scoring eight goals. “It’s nice to have someone there and keep that connection. And there’s obviously Bidders as well. I felt sorry for him last year when he didn’t play as much as he wanted to but every club needs someone like that, a proper professional who leads the lads well. He’s probably the best professional I have ever met; one of the top guys in the game, for me. “He’s someone they need to keep around the club. I spoke to him and I think he knows he’s not going to play as much but his character is something they need and have to look at to help the younger lads.” Asked how Kitching is feeling about it next season and if the 26-year-old is confident he can step up to the required levels, he said: “I feel like he can and I think he gets better in the harder games. I think it can get too easy for him, and when it gets too easy you can get a bit sloppy. But he’s definitely got the physicality and he’s quick as well. People might not think he’s quick but he’s rapid, is Kitch!” He added: “Put it this way, he’s been working hard in the off-season, as most of them will be because it’s exciting and they’re all going to want to come in extra fit because it’s a massive chance for them. If they do well in the Premier League, then they never know what might happen.” As for whether he thinks some of the existing squad will surprise a few people, he said: “Some people are better at different levels, but they need four or five games as well, not just one or two, to get into the season.” One player he knows will be up for the new season is former Sky Blues star striker Viktor Gyokeres who will be lining up against his former club at The Emirates on the opening night of the season. “Vik will be relishing that,” said McFadzean, who remains in regular contact with the Swede. “It will be funny. I keep in touch with Vik, text him all the time and wished him luck in the World Cup. He sends me funny videos and stuff and he got me tickets to the FA Cup Final. He’s a top guy, a proper person who never gets too big time and is a really nice guy.” As for his own career, it will come as no surprise that McFadzean is still going strong in his 40th year. He played 43 games for Chesterfield last season – helping the club to the League Two play-offs – and it would have been more if it hadn’t been for a couple of red cards. So what’s the secret to his longevity? “I didn’t get injured,” said the veteran campaigner, who was speaking just after getting back from an hour-long bike ride. “I’ve just signed a new deal. But in the off season I have been trying to get even fitter and picked up an injury. I have been trying to get down to the weight I was at Coventry and I went over on my ankle, so I should be back soon. " I did my first run just before they went back for pre-season and luckily the season starts a week later this year, so I should be back with the lads by then. But I’m looking forward to it. I love it.” The fact that his young children are now old enough to understand what’s going on and see daddy play is also a huge driving force for him to continue playing. “My kids love it as well now so it’s good,” he said. “They can come to all the games and I just have to make sure I am playing. You know what it’s like, every club has young talent and bring in new players and stuff so I have just got to make sure I stay on my ‘A’ game. But it’s better for me because it ensures I still challenge myself. “I may not play every game but I will play as many as I can. The gaffer (former Coventry midfielder from the mid-1990s, Paul Cook) is really good here and really looks after me, but he knows what I’m like. “I want to train every day so he just leaves it to me now. He used ask me if I wanted a day off and I’d say, ‘no, I’m training’ so he doesn’t ask me now.” As for his two red cards, the old school centre-half who is familiar with the dark arts of football, explained: “One got overturned. It was last man but it wasn’t. But the other was a second yellow card. The guy was going to score in the last minute and I just had to bring him down because he was just going to tap it in. “And they got a penalty and they ended up missing it, so it worked out all right, taking one for the team. There was nothing else I could do, to be honest.” Every day, the CoventryLive football desk strive to deliver all manner of news, features and transfer-related stories as a part of our overall package of Coventry City content. Social media: Our dedicated reporter Andy Turner - who you can follow on X by clicking here - follows the Sky Blues home and away and offers you comprehensive coverage from matchdays, press conferences and everything that happens in between. 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