Matchday Memories: On This Day 1965 – Sky Blues Third Win On Their Tour To Iceland

Jimmy Hill CCFC Manager 1961-67

May 28th proved a good day in three post season overseas tours for the Sky Blues. In 1963, 1965 and 1972 they got themselves a win treble in each of West Germany, Iceland and South Korea. In three separate posts today we are providing some details! Earlier we looked at 1963 and the Third Division Sky Blues’ substantial 6-1 victory over Bad Neuenahr.

Now, on this day (May 28th) in Iceland in 1965, two close seasons later, and now a Division Two side still managed by the legendary Jimmy Hill, the Sky Blues played their last of three games there and came up with an Icelandic hat-trick of wins against the hard working team of amateurs.

Alan Turner in the Sky Blue

Having beaten local sides KR Reykjavik 4-1 on May 24th and Keflavik by the same score two days later, on this particular day they played an Iceland National XI in Reykyavik and, once more came out on top, this time by three clear goals all scored in the second half!

George Hudson & Bobby Gould

Around 2,500 watched Alan Turner, George Hudson and Bobby Gould net the Sky Blues goals.

All three have been back to Legends Days in recent years though Alan and ‘the Hud’ have sadly since passed away.

George and Bobby are pictured (right) greeting each other on Legends Day 2018 on the Sky Blues last home game of the season in May 2018.

The Icelandic tour party (CCFPA members underlined was):-

The Sky Blue ‘Hud’

Bobby in the Sky Blue

Bob Wesson*, Allan Harris*, John Sillett*, Mick Kearns, Ron Farmer*, Dietmar Bruck, Dave Clements, John Mitten, Ken Hale*, John Smith*, Ernie Machin*, Bobby Gould, George Hudson*, Alan Turner* and Ronnie Rees

(*sadly nine of these players have since gone to ‘Sky Blue Heaven’)

Two of this team, John Sillett (with George Curtis) and Bobby Gould (twice) went on to manage the Sky Blues in later years. Dietmar is a long-time committee member of this Association!

The City’s captain had some interesting things to say about the ‘exotic’ nature of the country, its food, its cost of living and the wonderfully warm welcome given to the touring party in this ‘adventure’ in a Sports Argus article at the time (remember overseas holidays were in their early years in those days)! The City players were each given a sheepskin rug as a gift!

In a little while we will look at what the Sky Blues got up to in South Korea on this day in 1972. Please check back later