Matchday Memories: On This Day 1993 – See Bobby’s Boys Overwhelm Oldham!

Bobby Gould- Sky Blue Manager

On this day (23rd January) in 1993 the Sky Blues under ‘Cov.Kid’ former player, now manager, Bobby Gould were doing pretty well in the Premier League so far with a top six spot and were due to face lowly Oldham Athletic, so expectations were high. They were ‘on a double’ having already beaten the ‘Latics at Boundary Park back in September thanks to the only goal of the game  scored by Kevin Gallacher.

A crowd of 10,515 and Sky TV cameras turned up at Highfield Road to watch the contest and the form book was vindicated as the Sky Blues ran out 3-0 winners.

Kevin in his playing days

Nuddy in the Sky Blue

All the excitement in a generally drab game came in the first twenty minutes when all the goals were scored. The ‘Latics looked the worst side to visit Coventry so far this season and it looked odds on a cricket score at the start but everything sort of petered out.

Micky Quinn and Peter Ndlovu particularly seemed capable of ripping the ‘Latics apart at will but it was a brace from our Scottish striker Kevin Gallacher that took the eye and did the most damage (after six and nineteen minutes). All three Sky Blues are now Association members!

Gally’s goals sandwiched one by ‘Nuddy’, the Sky Blues ‘Bulawayo Bullet’, after thirteen minutes. Kevin, sadly, had to limp off before half-time (to be replaced by loan player Keith Rowland). The Oldham win sent confidence soaring and set up a crushing 5-2 Sky Blues win three days later at Blackburn Rovers!

Courtesy of former CCFPA committee member Dean Nelson you can watch the goal highlights here:-

The Sky Blues team the ‘Gouldfather’ turned out that day was as follows:-

Steve Ogrizovic, Brian Borrows, Phil Babb, Peter Atherton, David Busst, John Williams, Peter Ndlovu, Micky Gynn, Robert Rosario, Micky Quinn and Kevin Gallacher (sub. Keith Rowland)

Current CCFPA members are underlined

Joe Royle‘s well defeated Oldham team lined up as follows:-

Paul Gerrard, Gunnar Halle, Neil Pointon (sub. Neil Adams), Paul Bernard, Richard Jobson, Craig Fleming, Roger Palmer, Ian Olney, Ian Marshall, Mike Milligan (c), Steve Redmond and Neil Adams    Referee:- R.Lewis

CCFC 1992-93

In the event, by the end of the season the ‘Latics just survived the drop in nineteenth on the same points as relegated club Crystal Palace. Middlesbrough and bottom club Nottingham Forest beneath them also went down. The Sky Blues had a relatively comfortable landing, finishing in fifteenth spot in the Premier League.

Top of the tree were Manchester United fully ten points ahead of our closest geographical rivals Aston Villa in runners up spot.

Thanks to CCFPA’s Mike Young for sourcing the images.