Matchday Memories: On This Day 1965- ‘Clem’ & City Colleagues Can The Canaries!

JH with the 1963-64 D3 Champions trophy

On this day (10th April) in 1965 CCFC manager Jimmy Hill and his boys were riding their ‘Sky Blues Express‘ on the long trek from Division Three to the top flight, having been promoted as Champions last season. At the moment they were parked in Division Two and doing quite nicely with six games to go in the season.

Hopes were high as they were coming off the back of an unbeaten run of three straight wins and a draw in March and April so far. The run continued on this day as JH‘s Sky Blues ran out home winners over Norwich City by three clear goals. This was a fairly easy victory considering the Canaries started with a slim chance of promotion.

There was a good crowd of 22,552 fans filling Highfield Road as they watched the Sky Blues take the visitors apart with goals from three players who all later became CCFPA members. First, after sixteen minutes, No.9 (the late) George Hudson saw his shot go in after hitting both posts. Next, seven minutes later Dave Clements coolly scored another goal (as he had also done in the previous four games). Finally Sky Blue winger (the late) Ronnie Rees scored a screamer two minutes after the break. 

Dave in the Sky Blue

The Sky Blue ‘Hud’

Ron in the Sky Blue 1964

City, especially ‘the Hud’, could and should have scored more against the less than impressive Canaries but took their foot of the pedal and Norwich City’s young ‘keeper Geoff Barnard was spared more grief. City’s 3-0 win was ample revenge for their narrow 1-0 defeat at Carrow Road at the end of the previous November.

JH‘s team that day was:-

Bill Glazier, Mick Kearns, Allan Harris*, Ron Farmer*, George Curtis*, Brian Hill*, Ron Rees*, Ken Hale*, George Hudson*, Dave Clements and John Mitten

*Sadly Allan, Brian, Ken, both Ron’s and both Georges have since passed away. Apart from Ken, however every member of JH‘s team (as well as the ‘gaffer’) went on to join this Association.

Ron Ashman‘s Canaries lined up:-

Geoff Barnard, Dave Stringer, Joe Mullett, Mal Lucas, Barry Butler, Mike Sutton, Don Heath, Tommy Bryceland, Terry Allcock, Ron Davies and Bill Punton.    Referee:- S.Stoakes

CCFC 1964-65 with the D3 trophy

The Sky Blues’ Division Two season saw them consolidate in tenth place allowing them to make a more sustained promotion push the following season. Norwich City got the seasonal bragging rights, however, finishing sixth just behind East Anglian rivals Ipswich Town.

This season the Ns went up and the Ss went down! Newcastle United (as Champions) and Northampton Town were the promoted clubs. Swindon Town and (bottom club) Swansea Town were the relegated duo.

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