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Matchday Memories: On This Day 1981 – Potters Pinch Point From Milne’s Men At H.R.

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Gordon the ‘gaffer’ in a brown mood

With only three more Division One games to play after today’s game, on this day (18th April) in 1981 the Sky Blues were hoping to stop the rot after four successive defeats. Just as they had in late December 1980 in the Potteries Manager Gordon Milne (now a CCFPA member) saw his men share the spoils with Stoke City at Highfield Road but this time his team threw the win away after losing a two goal lead. A small crowd of 12,766 watched the action.

The Sky Blues had gone 2-0 up through Gordon’s now fellow CCFPA members Gerry Daly (after 25 minutes) and Garry Thompson (on the stroke of half-time).

Gerry had latched onto a poor backpass from the Potters’ defender Alan Dodd and Garry finished off a chance set up by fellow striker Tommy English (also an Association member now).

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Garry Gillespie heads the ball clear

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Gary Gillespie challenges for the ball

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‘Harry’ goes in for the tackle

However, the visitors from the Potteries were able to mount an effective second half come-back with replies from Lee Chapman and a soft penalty converted by Paul Maguire. The spot kick was awarded after an innocuous tackle by ‘Harry’ Roberts after the Potters forward had lost possession. 

The result left 20th placed CCFC still in deep relegation trouble and failed to mollify already disgruntled fans who had staged protests about City MD (and former legendary ‘gaffer’) Jimmy Hill‘s proposals to turn Highfield Road into the country’s first all-seater stadium.
 
The two teams lined up as follows:-

Gerry Daly in his Sky Blue heyday

Garry Thompson in the Sky Blue

Sky Blues

(The late) Les Sealey, Mick Coop, Brian Roberts, Andy Blair, Paul Dyson, Gary Gillespie, Gary Bannister, Gerry Daly, Garry Thompson, Tommy English and Steve Hunt
 
Stoke City (managed by Alan Durban)
Peter Fox, Ray Evans, Iain Munro, Alan Dodd, Brendan O’Callaghan, Mike Doyle, Peter Hampton, Paul Bracewell, Lee Chapman, Adrian Heath and Paul Maguire                            Referee:- M.Bidmead
 
Adrian Heath was CCFC’s assistant ‘gaffer’ at Highfield Road under both Peter Reid and Micky Adams (both Association members now) in the mid 2000s at Highfield Road and for a time ‘caretaker’ manager here in 2005 and 2007. The Potters also had former Sly Blue ‘keeper Eric McManus on their books this season.

CCFC 1980-81

In the event two wins and a draw in the last three matches saw the Sky Blues safe in 16th spot in Division One albeit just three points clear of trouble. The Cup runs, to the 5th Round in the F.A.Cup and the semi-finals in the League Cup were undoubtedly the season’s highlights. Stoke City finished 11th six points ahead of CCFC. It was Aston Villa‘s year as Champions four points clear of runners up Ipswich Town. At the other end of the table Norwich City (20th), Leicester City (21st) and way bottom Crystal Palace were relegated.
 
Thanks to CCFPA’s Mike Young (& Dean Nelson) for sourcing the images.
 
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April 18, 2024 · Tagged with

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