Matchday Memories: On This Day 1948 – Billy’s Bantams Catch Cottagers Cold

Billy Frith- Manager 1948

On this Wednesday night (28th April) way back in 1948 Coventry City were a Division Two outfit, managed by former 1930s player Billy Frith. They had had a reasonable campaign in 1947-48 and were facing their penultimate game and last match away from Highfield Road today. Billy’s Boys had travelled down to London to take on Fulham whom they had crushed 5-2 at Highfield Road the previous September. The ‘Bantams’ scorers then were Don Dearson and a brace each from Ted Roberts and Robinson ‘Bobbie’ Newsome. So, hopes were high for ‘the double’ and that is precisely what they achieved with a 2-0 away victory! The game had been postponed from February because Fulham were still in the F.A.Cup then.

Alex McIntosh

There was only 8,532 present in Craven Cottage to watch the game so there wouldn’t be too many CCFC fans present to see goals from Alex McIntosh and Les ‘Plum’ Warner (early in each half) gain both the points! City’s travelling twelfth man Ron Cox got a game because Jimmy Alderton missed his train!

Les Warner

City’s team that day lined up:-

Alf Wood, Harry Barratt & Dennis Tooze; Ron Cox, George Mason & Stan Smith; Les Warner, Alex McIntosh, Ted Roberts, Fred Bett & Norman Lockhart

Only Stan was later able to join this Association before he passed away. Alf and Ted became long-time club servants, both eventually becoming coaches at Highfield Road. Ted is the father of future Sky Blue centre forward (and current CCFPA member) Dudley Roberts.

Fulham‘s XI, managed by Jack Peart, took the field as follows:-

Ted Hinton; Ron Lewin & Joe Bacuzzi, Len Quested, Jack Watson & Pat Beasley; Dennis Rampling, Bob Thomas, Doug McGibbon, Harry Ayres & Ernie Shepherd.                    Referee:- G.Iliffe (Leicester)

CCFC 1947-48

The Bantams succeeded in gaining a comfortable tenth place finish in Division Two after a final day 3-0 win at home to Chesterfield Town. The Craven Cottagers were tucked in just behind them with a point less. Birmingham (Champions) and runners up Newcastle United were promoted to the top tier. Doncaster Rovers and bottom club Millwall went in the opposite direction.

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