Members News: Rovers’ Ex Sky Blues Stop CCFC’s Play-Off Possibility
CCFC Manager Mark Robins
The 0-0 draw at Ewood Park yesterday was not the best result for either the Sky Blues or opponents Blackburn Rovers. In view of the previous post it was a good job it wasn’t played today! For Rovers the point was not enough to remove the mathematical possibility of losing their Championship status in their last match of the season. For the Sky Blues the failure to win removed their slight chance of reaching the playoffs for the second season running.
Though in many respects this Sky Blue season has been even more memorable than last, what with their near miss in the Wembley F.A.Cup semi-finals, they will not beat last season’s position or points total, the first slight reversal of progress in CCFC’s Mark Robins years.
John Eustace (Blackburn Rovers ‘gaffer’) 2024
Of interest was that in such an important match the Rovers manager and three of their players were former Sky Blues, two having played for us this season! Recent Rovers Manager John Eustace (CCFC defender 1996-2003 and now a CCFPA member) was sent to the stands on 51 minutes after a touchline fracas with the Sky Blues Kasey Palmer.
CCFPA member Dom Hyam (CCFC 2017-22) was Rovers captain in the heart of their defence with ‘Man of the Match’ Kyle McFadzean. Fadz, who left the Sky Blues after 171 games over five seasons for Lancashire this January, played a stormer and it was lovely to see both sets of fans and the CCFC players give him joint warm applause in recognition of his leadership qualities and stalwart play for both clubs at the end of the game!
Dom Hyam (Blackburn Rovers)
Kyle McFadzean (Blackburn Rovers)
Lastly Eustace brought on former Sky Blue loanee earlier this season Yasin Asari for a run off the bench after just over an hour and he gave the 10 man Sky Blues more than a couple of scares after Liam Kitching received a straight red for a professional foul a minute earlier (62 minutes).
Yasin in the Sky Blue
Fadz in the Sky Blue
Dom in the Sky Blue
John Eustace in the Sky Blue
Commenting on the game in the Press Box were two CCFPA members, ‘Oggy’ for BBC CWR and former Sky Blue forward (who also played for Rovers) Kevin Gallagher commentating for BBC Radio Lancs.
At least the mentally and physically tired Sky Blues got a clean sheet with a reduced roster on the pitch and can look forward to playing their remaining two (home) games with some of the pressure off. Legends Day 2024 in City’s last game of the season early next month can now be enjoyed entirely for the presence of the roughly forty returning Sky Blue stars of the past!
Thanks to CCFPA’s Mike Young for sourcing the images
