Calling All Sky Blue Fans: Take the Midland Golf Challenge

Fancy playing golf with some of the Legends of Midlands football in September? Fancy representing Coventry City alongside some of your Sky Blue heroes of the past? Well, entering a team into the Midland Golf Challenge could be just the thing for you!

On 19th September 2014 eight teams each representing Aston Villa, Birmingham City, the Sky Blues and W.B.A will be teeing off at the Forest of Arden Golf Club (Maxstoke Lane, Meriden, Coventry CV7 7HR.

CCFPA has been tasked with fielding eight teams to represent the Sky Blues each consisting of three fans and a former player from CCFC.  The chance to form a team is being made available via a VIP invitation through us. You would be representing the Sky Blues in taking on your rivals from the three other midlands football clubs. The points achieved by all eight of the Sky Blues teams added together will then be set against those of the other clubs and the highest aggregate total will make the winning Club champions in the Challenge.

The action, mixing with former stars of the midland footballing scene, takes in 18 holes of golf, shotgun style on a superbly appointed course.  The Arden Championship Course that has played host to a succession of European Tour Events, such as the British Masters and English Open, and has seen golfing greats, such as Colin Montgomerie and 2011 Open Champion Darren Clarke, crowned victorious.  The organisers offer you the chance to spend time with  CCFPA’s Cyrille Regis, Dave Busst, Willie Carr as well as the likes of Kenny Burns, Brian Little, Malcolm Page, Lee Hendrie, Bob Taylor and many more yet to be announced.

The day includes tea/coffee and bacon roll on arrival, individual player goody bags and will be followed by a 3 course dinner, entertainment and presentation of prizes in the on-site Marriott Hotel for all golfers and special guests.  All this for £495 for a team of three (each of whom will be assisted by a former player). There are preferred rates for accommodation available at the Forest of Arden.

For further information on the Challenge and/or an application form please contact CCFPA’s Bob Eales on 07538154239  (covbob@msn.com) or (from the organisers, AMROS) Neil Bettridge on 07792 620355 (nkb@amrosgolf.co.uk)

CCFPA on the March: Barry & Billy Vote With Their Feet!

No doubt there were many CCFPA Associate Members present amongst the over 5000 Sky Blues’ Supporters who, sadly, were forced to mark the anniversary of CCFC’s exile at Sixfields by once more marching from Gosford Green to Broadgate. The peaceful and passionate demonstration by Sky Blues fans who want their Club back playing in Coventry took place on July 12th. CCFC Former Players from across the playing generations (all Association members) Ron Farmer, Micky Gynn and Kirk Stephens all added their voice at the Broadgate Rally (organised by the Sky Blue Trust).

Barry (left) & Billy on Parade

Many photos and videos were taken on the day. A picture emphasising both the seriousness of the protest but also the goodnatured camaraderie of the march has been sent in by CCFPA Associate Member Barry Greener and we are happy to reproduce it here. Barry is walking with Association Vice Chirman Billy Bell who also later kept the Broadgate crowd in good voice.

Barry wanted to emphasise that, like many on the march, both Billy and himself were there when CCFC lifted three trophies – the 3rd Division Championship in 1964, the 2nd Division title in 1967 and the FA Cup in 1987.  In 1981,  both thought City would win the League Cup too but after an exciting Highfield Road match in the semi final City sadly lost to West Ham away.

These are only some of the memories that strengthen the resolve of all fans to expect those who have the power over the decision to bring the Sky Blues back to Coventry make it happen a.s.a.p.

Members’ August Newsletter At the Printers

Copy for the next August edition of the Association’s members newsletter is now at our printers, Spectrum Print of Solihull. This is the fourth in the new style full colour eight page magazine format. It is anticipated that Issue 16 of the magazine will be ready for approval towards the end of this month ready for publication early in August around the start of the new season.

As usual, it is packed full of news, views and reports of what we have been up to since the last issue in June and focusses in a centrepages spread on the wonderful Golf Day 2014 at Stoneleigh Deer Park Golf Club last month. We demonstrate how we have carried on our activities in spite of the Club’s continuing exile in Northampton and consider the coming challenging season for both Club and Association. Should the decision to remain at Sixfields not be overturned in the coming days the newsletter will also contain a survey form for all our members seeking guidance on our approach to Season 2014-15.  As usual we contain news of Sky Blues Former Players around the world, coverage of some of the Charitable events CCFPA’s former players have supported, historical memories in ‘Blast from the Past’, news of our new corporate members, and we also feature those of the ex CCFC playing family who have passed on to ‘Sky Blue heaven’.

It is planned that each member will receive their copy as early as possible next month.  If you are not a Former Player member of CCFPA and would like to guarantee receipt of future copies of this popular publication as a CCFPA Associate Member you will either need to renew your current Associate membership or join us as a new member at the modest cost of £15 (just tap on the ‘Join us’ button on the top right for a guide on how to join). We hope that there is something for everyone and that all will find it a good read. Watch this space for news of when the magazines are being sent out by us to our membership!

Billy Gray’s Funeral Announced

The family of former Bantam Billy Gray who passed away on Friday last have now confirmed Billy’s funeral arrangement. The service will take place at St Cuthbert’s Church, Bellingham, Hexham, Northumberland NE48 2JS on Friday 1st August 2014. The service starts at 11 am. CCFPA hope to be represented by our Welfare Officer, Bob Eales. There will be family flowers only but donations in memory of Billy are welcome to a Parkinson Disease charity.

Billy who made two league and a number of reserve appearances for CCFC between 1948-54 came to Legends Day at the Ricoh in 2012 and son Alan told us it was wonderful to see his dad’s face light up when he came back to Coventry to meet old friends, former colleagues and the welcome of the Sky Blue fans. A brief appreciation of Billy’s time at Coventry penned by CCFPA chairman and club historian Jim Brown appears in the ‘Gone But Not Forgotten’ section under the ‘Players’ tab above.