Matchday Memories: On This Day 1970 – Cantwell’s City Fail At Forest In Season’s Opener

CCFC’s Manager, Noel Cantwell

On this day (15th August) in 1970 at least two of the then Association’s committee members, Dean Nelson and Mike Young were amongst the Sky Blue Army Trentside to watch Noel Cantwell‘s Sky Blues take on Nottingham Forest in the season’s opener. They were in a crowd of 25,137 packed into the City Ground and, sad to say, it was the Forest who came out on top against Cantwell’s crew.

Geoff Strong in the Sky Blue

Noel was entering his third full season as City’s ‘gaffer’ having also managed the club for most of CCFC’s inaugural season in the top flight taking over from Jimmy Hill in October 1967 when JH left at the peak of his achievement to build a media career. 

The Forest, who pundits had tipped for relegation this season (after ending the last with only one win in twelve contests), were two nil up at half-time and never relinquished their lead and fully seserved their win against a lack-lustre performance from their visitors. New Sky Blue signing Geoff Strong was the only member of the Sky Blues side making his debut in this opening fixture and Forest fielded former Sky Blue favourite (and CCFPA member before his death) Ronnie Rees in their forward line. 

Neil Martin in the Sky Blue

Brian in 1970

The two goals for the Garibaldi Reds came from Peter Cormack after seventeen minutes flicking in a Barry Lyons free kick and they doubled up with a strike from Ian Storey-Moore who whipped the ball in after Sky Blues’ ‘keeper Bill Glazier made a good save from Ron Rees. Cantwell’s men had their chances but didn’t take them as Brian Joicey nearly scored with a brave header and our No.9 Neil Martin missed when he ought to have scored. This didn’t detract from the tall number 9 making sufficient impression on Forest ‘gaffer’ Matt Gillies to sign him for Forest the following February!