Matchday Memories: On This Day 1979 – Gary, Barry & ‘Harry’ (Milne’s Men) Harry Wolves To Defeat!!

On this day (5th May) in 1979 the Sky Blues under Gordon Milne had been going great guns in the top ten of Division One and were facing their last game of the season against Midland rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers at Highfield Road.

The Sky Blues had a scored a smashing 4-0 home win over Southampton in front of 17,707 fans in their last home game- their best win of the season.  However, the previous weekend they had come severely unstuck in London when Queen’s Park Rangers steamrollered them to the tune of 5-1. All Sky Blue fans (and there were 21,742 in the home of the Sky Blues this day) were hoping for a positive send off to the season. The two teams had drawn 1-1 at Molineux at the end of December with a 65th minute Tommy Hutchison equaliser and Wolves arrived unbeaten in their last six games.

Barry in Sky Blue action

The Sky Blue family got their wish with a victory over Wolves by three clear goals in a match affected by a May snowstorm!

Teenagers Gary Bannister, Mark Hateley and Paul Dyson (the latter two both now CCFPA members) were all selected and given a chance to shine in this game. Mark’s pace caused Wolves a lot of problems and it was he who set up the first of a Sky Blue brace from (now CCFPA member) Barry Powell after 23 minutes. 

Gary in action

Gary then doubled the Sky Blue score netting with a header seven minutes before the break making it 2-0 at half-time. It took only a couple of second half minutes for the Sky Blues to go 3-0 up from a penalty converted by Barry after handball in the box by Wolves’ full back Derek Parkin.

Gordon in relaxed mood

Gordon Milne‘s Sky Blues that day (CCFPA members underlined) were:

Jim Blyth, Brian ‘Harry’ Roberts, Bobby McDonald, Andy Blair, Paul Dyson, Mick Coop, Don Nardiello (sub. Ray Gooding), Gary Bannister, Mark Hateley, Barry Powell and Tommy Hutchison

John Barnwell‘s Wolves team turned out as follows:-

Paul Bradshaw, Geoff Palmer, Derek Parkin, Peter Daniel (sub. Bob Hazell), John McAlle, Colin Brazier, Kenny Hibbitt, Steve Daley, Billy Rafferty, John Richards and Willie Carr       Referee:- E.Read 

There was a trio of Sky Blue connections in this team (all now CCFPA members). Both Willie Carr (1967-75) and Billy Rafferty (1969-72) had previously played at Highfield Road and Kenny Hibbitt (1984-86) would go on to do so!

CCFC 1978-79

City eventually finished tenth with Wolves safe, despite the defeat, in eighteenth spot two places but nine points above the drop. Q.P.R., Birmingham City and bottom placed Chelsea were relegated to Division Two.

Liverpool took the Division One title eight points clear of runners up Nottingham Forest.

Thanks to CCFPA’s Mike Young (& Dean Nelson) for sourcing the images.