Matchday Memories: On This Day 1983 – Sexton’s Sky Blues Scare & Stalemate Rampant Reds!

Dave Sexton- CCFC Manager

On this day (12th April) forty years ago in 1983 the Sky Blues, under the managerial guidance of Dave Sexton were seven games away from the end of a Division One season which had shown a slow start a promising middle (fifth place at the turn of the year) and now a long decline which would eventually subside into a close encounter with relegation and the manager’s departure. On this day the Sky Blues were fifteenth in the table facing Bob Paisley‘s Merseyside team, Liverpool, who were running away with the title (at this point seventeen points clear at the top)! City had been handed a 4-0 drubbing at Anfield back in mid November.

Paul Dyson in the Sky Blue

The Sky Blues gave it a good go to turn over the mighty Reds but there was only 15,340 fans in Highfield Road to watch as defences came out on top and no goals were registered. Liverpool used their undoubted skill and know-how to squeeze the life out of the game and City’s Paul Dyson did a great job keeping the Reds’ thirty goal striker Ian Rush quiet. 

City had a strong penalty claim for Sammy Lee‘s handball in the box turned down by referee Ward. At the other end the Sky Blues young front man Steve Whitton had three great chances to write his name in the record books but missed them all! Both sides had to be content with the goal-less draw and a point.

Some of Sexton’s young Sky Blues in training

Sky Blue Steve Whitton

The two sides lined up as follows:-

Sky Blues (CCFPA members underlined):-

The late Les Sealey, Danny Thomas, Brian Roberts, Steve Jacobs, Paul Dyson, Gary Gillespie, John Hendrie, Gerry Francis, Mark Hateley, Steve Whitton and Steve Hunt

Liverpool:- 

Bruce Grobelaar, Phil Neal, Alan Kennedy, Mark Lawrenson, Ronnie Whelan, Alan Hansen, Kenny Dalglish, Sammy Lee, Ian Rush, Craig Johnston and Graham Sounness (c)                    Referee:- T.Ward

The Reds’ defender Phil Neal, of course, later went on to manage the Sky Blues (1993-95).

CCFC 1982-83

Eventually Liverpool were indeed crowned Champions (but only by eleven points) with Watford leading the chasing pack. City ended up one place and one point above the trap door in nineteenth place having lost 4-2 at home to West Ham United on the last day of the season (Dave Sexton‘s farewell game).

Manchester City, Swansea Town and bottom club Brighton were all demoted.

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