Micky Adams Parts Company with Tranmere Rovers

It has been reported yesterday that the Sky Blues former player and manager (and CCFPA member) Micky Adams has parted company from  current club Tranmere Rovers where he had been the gaffer since moving to Prenton Park from Port Vale in October last year. The decision to leave (taken by mutual consent) following Rover’s home defeat by Oxford United on Saturday leaving them bottom of League Two and in danger of losing their Football League status (though Tranmere currently have a better goal difference than their fellow strugglers at the bottom).

A talented and versatile player Micky featured at no.11 for the Sky Blues nearly as much as left back. He spent four seasons (1983-87) at Highfield Road with the Sky Blues after spells with Sheffield United (where he won four England Youth caps) and Gillingham (92 league outings). He clocked up another 108 appearances for the Sky Blues (scoring 10  times) before moving to Leeds United during the very season the Sky Blues won the F.A.Cup (and losing to them with the Elland Road outfit in a memorable F.A.Cup semi final at Hillsborough). Micky then had five years of top flight football with Southampton making nearly 150 league appearances and later turned out for both Stoke City (on loan) and Fulham (as player-manager) finishing up in 1997 and 1998 with Swansea City and Brentford without adding to his career tally of 438 league appearances.

Micky further developed his managerial experience with Nottingham Forest (assistant/ caretaker), Brighton & Hove Albion and Leicester City before becoming the Sky Blues new Manager in January 2005. His reign at the Ricoh lasted barely 24 months as he paid the price for not lifting CCFC out of the Championship and was appointed Manager at Brighton. Managerial stints at Port Vale and Sheffield United followed until reappointed at Vale Park for the successful 2012-13 season – a major achievement given the club started out in administration.

CCFPA wishes Micky a successful future career whatever pathway he chooses to follow.

Legends XI Next Charity Game Announced

CCFPA’s Dean Nelson, Fixture Manager for the Sky Blues’ Legends Charity games has announced the team’s next fixture.

The game between a Sky Blues Legends XI and a Coventry & Warwicks CrossRoads Care Select XI will take place on Sunday 17th May 2015 at the Highway Club, Fletchamstead Highway, Coventry CV4 9BY

The game is the centrepiece of a number of attractions  advertised between 12.30pm and 6pm on the day. Entrance to what is billed as ‘Daniel’s Charity Spring Fete’ is only 50p (with children under age 10 admitted free). Daniel is a youngster suffering from MPS. Proceeds will benefit the Stars Club for children and young adults with disabilities, Bagington Fields Special Needs School and the M.P.S.Society.

Keep checking back on this site for more news of the former players that will be lining up for the Legends XI in May as well as details of more Legends fixtures coming up during the summer in due course.

Bobby Gould Rides the Bristol Airwaves on Saturday

Bobby in the 1960s Sky Blue

CCFPA member, Cov kid and former Sky Blues player and manager Bobby Gould will be riding the airwaves at tomorrow’s CCFC game against League One table toppers Bristol City. Bobby, who is held in high regard by both clubs, will be assisting the BBC Coventry & Warwickshire match-day commentary team by providing analysis, insight and local knowledge to the coverage tomorrow (Saturday 18th April 2015).

The Association’s ‘special guests’ provide match-day support to BBC CWR at all the Sky Blues home games at the Ricoh and occasionally our former player members assist the radio station in their coverage of CCFC’s away fixtures (e.g. Kevin Gallacher at Rochdale last September and Noel Whelan at Barnsley last March).

Bobby in contemporary strip

A Caludon Castle schoolboy, Bobby joined the Sky Blues as an apprentice in 1962, became a professional two years later and before leaving for Arsenal in February 1968 this rambunctious centre forward had scored a fantastic 42 goals in 89 first team appearances. Similar success followed at Wolves and West Brom before Bristol City got the benefit of 21 goals from 44 appearances from December 1972. Spells at West Ham, Wolves (again), Bristol Rovers and Aalsund (Denmark) followed before Bobby’s playing career tailed off with  Hereford United, Charlton and Aldershot. Bobby retired in 1980 with both two cup winners medals under his belt (Texaco- 1971: F.A.Cup -1975).

Bobby, of course, has also had extensive management experience including twice with CCFC at Highfield Road (1983-84 & 1992-93) and twice in Bristol with the Rovers (1981-83 & 1985-87) as well as memorably taking the ‘Crazy gang’ of Wimbledon FC to F.A.Cup success in 1988, the year after the Sky Blues own success. We trust Bobby will see a good game with the club of his home city taking at least a point off the Division Champions!

Marcus Relieved by Reda’s Late Latics Rescue

Marcus outside the Ricoh on Tuesday evening

Our ‘Special Guest’ for last Tuesday night’s home game against Oldham Athletic was former Sky Blue defender and CCFPA member Marcus Hall.  Marcus’ arrival was not as delayed as some committee members and many fans due to a massive jam on the M6. After a brief pre-match tour of the Ricoh lounges to meet the fans in the company of CCFPA’s Frank Pritchard, Marcus was able to provide sterling service to the BBC CWR matchday commentary team analysing the game – and his contribution was clearly greatly valued by those listening as became apparent by fans on-air feedback after the game.

Marcus on the Air (with BBC CWR’s Clive Eakin & Stuart Linnell)

‘Cov kid’ Marcus, always popular when he comes back to his footballing roots in his home City (as he does frequently), saw a match dominated by the Sky Blues but only rescued deep into second half stoppage time by the massive ‘presence’ of centre-half cum last minute striker Reda Johnson. Reda’s powerful header saved the day after CCFC fell behind in the first period (once again to the ‘curse of the former player’) to a cheeky Danny Philliskirk backheel.

Marcus in the Sky Blue

Marcus finished off his evening at the Ricoh with a friendly chat with CCFPA’s Billy Bell on the stage of Lady Gs in the Ricoh’s G-Casino in front of Sky Blues supporters who, like Marcus, were disappointed that that CCFC did not get a second successive home win but relieved that the Sky Blues were another point closer to League One safety. Thanks marcus for all your hard work last Tuesday night!