Matchday Memories: On This Day 1994 – See Sky Blues Stymie Champs As Oggy Thwarts Cantona

Phil Neal, Coventry City Manager

On this day (May 8th) in 1994 the Sky Blues finished their Premier League season with Phil Neal in charge having taken over from (now CCFPA member) ‘Cov Kid’ Bobby Gould the previous October. City were having a good end of season, unbeaten in six with 2-1 win at Chelsea last time out. Their final opponents of the season at Highfield Road were Champions elect Manchester United. They had beaten us at Old Trafford back at the end of last November by the only goal of the game scored on the hour by Eric Cantona.

A cracking crowd of 44,717 turned up to see the game and there were many Mancunians among them awaiting the presentation of the league winners trophy at the end of the game. The result didn’t matter as United were already well clear of runners up Blackburn Rovers!

Oggy in the Sky Blue red

Though it was an afternoon to remember for the visitors as, at the end of the game, they were crowned Premier League Champions and picked up the trophy, the game itself was pretty forgettable and played at three quarter pace and there were no goals to cheer either side.

Remaining a fully fledged Coventry City Legend (and CCFPA member) until retirement a few years back following 35 years service to CCFC, that day Steve Ogrizovic played a full part in keeping the Sky Blues clean sheet intact especially from United star Eric Cantona. The Sky Blues midfielder Phil Babb was very unhappy with the Frenchman during the game, accusing him of stamping.

Thanks to former CCFPA committee member Dean Nelson you can watch an Oggy wonder save from Cantona by clicking on the image below:-

Phil’s team on this day lined up as follows (CCFPA members underlined):-

Steve Ogrizovic, Brian Borrows, Steve Morgan, Julian Darby, Phil Babb, Peter Atherton, Willie Boland, David Rennie, Peter Ndlovu, Sean Flynn and Leigh Jenkinson

Sir Alex Ferguson‘s Man Utd. put out the following side:-

Gary Walsh, Gary Neville, Denis Irwin, Bryan Robson, Gary Pallister, Steve Bruce (sub. Paul Parker -57), Colin McKee (sub. Roy Keane -74), Brian McClair, Eric Cantona, Dion Dublin and Lee Sharpe     Referee:- Steve Lodge.

As can be seen future Sky Blue forward star (and CCFPA member) Dion Dublin was playing for the Red Devils that day.  Also (the late) Les Sealey who had started his goalkeeping career at Highfield Road was on the books of Man.Utd this season (as cover).

CCFC 1993-94

The Sky Blues finished the season in a reasonably comfortable mid table spot (eleventh) whilst United would go on to add the F.A.Cup to their trophy cabinet as well as the Premier League title.

The three clubs relegated from the Premier League in 1993/94 were Sheffield Wednesday, Oldham Athletic and bottom club Swindon Town.

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