Coventry City full back Roland Nilsson flew out of the country today after bidding a fond farewell to the Sky Blues and English football.

The 35-year-old full back is returning to home-town club Helsingborg as director of football but will continue playing and plans to represent his country in the Euro 2000 championships.

In fact there is no respite for Nilsson who is due to train with his club tomorrow and play for them at the weekend.

He was given a huge send-off after two seasons with the club and was clearly moved by the farewell.

He said:

"I have had a superb two years at the club and a piece of my heart will always be here. I wanted to have another spell in English football and I could not have joined a nicer club.

"I will be following the progress of the players and looking out for Coventry’s results. I have very high hopes for their future.

"I hope the reception I got reflects that fact that I have done a good job for the club."

Meanwhile the City players swapped the football pitch for the golf course today as the club held its annual golf day in aid of the NSPCC.

The event is being played at the Forest of Arden this year with most of the first team squad involved.

Midfielder Paul Telfer, who scored against Leeds on Sunday, is the outstanding golfer in the club and plays of a handicap of three.

City boss Gordon Strachan appears on a special edition of A Question of Sport on BBC1 tonight.

Gordon is on John Parrott’s team along with Olympic Ice Dance champion Jayne Torvill.

Footballer Rodney Marsh and snooker star Jon Virgo make up the opposition along with, of course, captain Ally McCoist.

Teams will also be tested on their sporting knowledge at Highfield Road on Tuesday in the first of a series of quizzes.

Teams from Carling, the Coventry Evening Telegraph, Mercia FM, Kix96 and a side of Coventry City all-stars are involved.