Matchday Memories: On This Day 1989 – See Forest Stalemate Finish Snoz’s Successful Sky Blue Season

On this day (15th May) in 1989 the Sky Blues under former full back John Sillett had reached the end of their highly successful Division One season. Two days previously they had drawn 1-1 with the old enemy Aston Villa at Villa Park and today they faced East Midlands rivals Nottingham Forest in the final game of the season at Highfield Road. Forest had put City out of the Third Round of the Littlewoods Cup by the odd goal in five in Nottingham in early November. The two sides had also played a goal-less draw at the City Ground back in the league later the same month. The result on this day was another draw, this time by two goals each.

Howard Clarke in the Sky Blue

This game was open and lively with a late flurry of goals in the last eighteen minutes. City were first to score and it came from a debut goal from young substitute Howard Clark after 72 minutes, scored from a tight angle.

Cyrille in the Sky Blue

The Forest grabbed a deflected long range equaliser from Neil Webb (who was moving to Old Trafford in the close season) seven minutes later, only for big Cyrille Regis to restore the Sky Blues lead on 82 minutes with header from a David Speedie cross. Two minutes before the end who else but Nigel Clough (son of the Forest’s ‘gaffer) nabbed the final equaliser after a Neil Webb shot rebounded to him off the post.

Thanks to our former committee member Dean Nelson you can watch the goal highlights by clicking on the image below:-

Sky Blue ‘gaffer’ John Sillett

John Sillett‘s* Sky Blues that day lined up as follows:-

Steve Ogrizovic, Brian Borrows, Tony Dobson, Dean Emerson, Brian Kilcline, Trevor Peake (sub. Greg Downs), David Phillips (sub. Howard Clark), David Speedie, Cyrille Regis*, Steve Livingstone and David Smith.

Stuart in the Sky Blue

We are pleased that all members of CCFC’s management and team that day later went on to join Coventry City Former Players Association! Sadly we have since had to mourn (*) two Sky Blue legends, the boss ‘Snoz’ and ‘striker ‘Big Cyrille’

Brian Clough‘s Forest team that day comprised:-

Steve Sutton, Brian Laws, Stuart Pearce, Des Walker, Terry Wilson, Brian Rice, Franz Carr, Neil Webb, Nigel Clough, Lee Chapman and Garry Parker      Referee:- T.Holbrook

In Forest’s side, of course, was future England full back Stuart Pearce who had started out his top flight career with the Sky Blues (and is now an Association member).

CCFC 1988-89

The Sky Blues finished the season in a very creditable seventh spot that season but Forest were third behind Champions Arsenal and runners up Liverpool (both on 76 points). 

Middlesbrough, West Ham United and bottom club Newcastle United were the relegated trio.

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