Matchday Memories: On This Day 1967 – See Sky Blues Wallop Wolves In ‘Midland Match Of Century’!

Ernie Machin in the Sky Blue

Jimmy Hill CCFC Manager 1961-67

On this day (29th April) in 1967 Highfield Road saw its largest ever attendance when The Sky Blues played close rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers in a titanic Division Two battle dubbed the ‘Midland Match of the Century’. With both teams assured of promotion the previous week and with only two games in May to follow the struggle was on for ‘top dog’. We had already put down a marker beating the Wolves 3-1 at Molineux back in early December with a first half opener after seven minutes from Ian Gibson and second half clinchers, after the home had equalised, from John Key (73 minutes) and Ron Rees eight minutes from the final whistle.

H.R. was packed to the rafters with fans, on the floodlights and the stand roofs, as Jimmy Hill‘s team eventually defeated their Midland rivals. The official (record) Highfield Road gate was 51,455! Arguably Wolves had the better of the first half and took the lead in the fortieth minute with a goal from Peter Knowles. Hot-shot Derek Dougan was also a potent leader for the Wolves and future Sky Blue favourite and CCFPA member (the deeply missed) ‘Ernie’ Hunt was also in their side.

Ian in 1967

The Sky Blues came roaring back in the second period with goals from two of our former members sadly no longer with us, Ernie Machin (on the hour mark) and Ian Gibson five minutes later. Pitch invasions after each goal prompted a ref’s warning.

Ron in the Sky Blue 1964

The victory was put to bed with a final effort four minutes from time from CCFPA member (the late) Ronnie Rees. The 3-1 win confirmed the Division Two Championship for the Sky Blues, cemented by a 1-1 draw at Ipswich Town‘s Portman Road and a last day home win also by 3-1 against Millwall.

Thanks to the Association’s former committee member Dean Nelson you can relive the excitement of those heady days, with memories from JH, CCFPA’s Chairman, Jim Brown and many other fans as well as pics of the match action and TV coverage of the end of season celebrations in Coventry, by clicking the link or main image below:-

https://youtu.be/nf3OBFQN4wc

The Sky Blues team that momentous day was (later CCFPA members are underlined):-

Bill Glazier, Mick Kearns, Dietmar Bruck, Brian Lewis*, George Curtis*, Dave Clements, John Key, Ernie Machin*, John Tudor, Ian Gibson* and Ronnie Rees*

(*) JH, Brian, Ernie, Ian ‘Iron Man’ George and (most recently) Ronnie Rees are sadly no longer with us. GC later became club co-Manager with fellow defender John Sillett (and later Managing Director) when the Sky Blues carried off the F.A.Cup in 1987 and both became CCFC Life Presidents before their respective deaths within months of each other. Dietmar is currently a valued CCFPA committee member. It was great to see him at the Ricoh along with Mick and John Tudor (flown over from USA) at Legends Day 2019 prior to COVID. Mick and Diet were back at the CBS again for Legends Day 2023 this time last year.

Ronnie Allen‘s Wolves side who the Sky Blues did the ‘double’ double over (having done it two seasons in a row) was:-

Fred Davies, Joe Wilson, Bobby Thomson, Mike Bailey, David Woodfield, Ron Flowers, Terry Wharton, ‘Ernie‘ Hunt, Hughie McIlmoyle, David Burnside and David Wagstaffe Referee:- N.Callender

As said before both sides went up but with the Sky Blues with definite bragging rights over their Midland rivals. Northampton Town and Bury went down that season.