Matchday Memories: On This Day 1965 – Dietmar Is Sky Blues 1st Ever Sub. In Man.City Draw

Dietmar challenges for the ball

Diet in the Sky Blue

On this day (4th September) in 1965 CCFC’s legendary defender (and now CCFPA committee member) Dietmar Bruck made Sky Blue history by becoming the Sky Blues first ever used substitute when he came on for our (recently deceased) CCFPA member  Ronnie Farmer during our cracking 3-3 draw with eventual second tier Champions Manchester City at Highfield Road in front of a crowd of 29,403.

Ronnie (who had already scored) had to go off injured after the Light Blues’ Johnny Crossan had broken the CCFC Legend’s cheekbone with an elbow in the face! Unbeaten Sky Blues were into their fifth game of the Division Two season having already beaten Wolverhampton Wanderers and Bury at home as well as drawing with the Shakers at Gigg Lane and another 1-1 draw at Rotherham United.

The option of a single substitute was introduced at the beginning of the 1965/66 season. However, at this time the provision could only be used to replace injured players and Dietmar replaced Ron at half-time. Each club was allowed just the one sub per game.  From 1967-68 the rules were relaxed as to the rationale and it took a little while for clubs to appreciate the tactical advantages of using subs not just for replacing an injured player. Dietmar was the first of only a dozen occasions City used them out of 42 league games that season. Also coming off the bench during the season were such illustrious Sky Blue names as Ron himself, Ken Hale* (and later CCFPA members all) Ernie Machin*, Dave Clements, Wilf Smith, Bobby Gould (twice), ‘Harry’ Roberts and John Sillett*!

Previously players’ injuries could severely handicap their team and ‘crocked’ players, whatever their original position, were often put out to hobble on the wing where the impact of their loss of effectiveness might be least felt.

Ron Farmer & Dietmar Bruck parade their 1967-68 D2 Championship Trophy

From the 1990s the number of subs allowed has gradually increased in the game allowing substantial tactical flexibility. Most recently,  including 2021-22, the Sky Blues and their opponents were normally each allowed up to three subs (out of seven players named) though the recent Covid 19 affected seasons saw this temporarily extended to five used out of nine named. Since the 2023-24 season CCFC, like all Championship clubs, can field five subs from a bench of up to nine players over three separate occasions during a game! This season (2024-25) there is also a provision for an additional sub to replace a player suffering or suspected of having concussion. 

On this particular September day in 1965 the Sky Blues scorers were Ron Farmer with, of course, a penalty in the ninth minute (awarded when Ernie Machin was sandwiched in the box), then a Dave Clements header (39 mins) and George Hudson (59 mins)! Our opponents replied with a brace from Neil Young (23 & 53 mins) and a goal from Jimmy Murray (56). Our opponent’s ‘gaffer’ this day was future Sky Blue boss Joe Mercer.

Ronnie Farmer

Dave in the Sky Blue

The Sky Blue ‘Hud’

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

Bob Wesson*, Mick Kearns, Allan Harris*, Ron Farmer* (sub. Dietmar Bruck -46), George Curtis*, Brian Hill*, Ron Rees*, Ken Hale*, George Hudson*, Ernie Machin* and Dave Clements. Sadly, far too many (the nine asterisked) of this team,  most recently Ron, Ronnie and Bob, have since passed away.

Joe Mercer

Joe Mercer‘s Manchester City‘s team was:-

Harry Dowd, Roy Cheetham, Dave Connor, Gray, Bobby Kennedy, Alan Oakes, Mike Summerbee, Johnny Crossan, Jimmy Murray, Glyn Pardoe and Neil Young   Unused substitute: Mike Doyle                  Referee: E.Crawford

The Sky Blues narrowly lost by the only goal of the game in the return at Maine Road in mid February with Johnny Crossan netting in the second minute and then the home team holding out. However the Sky Blues did beat Manchester City 3-2 at Highfield Road in October the League Cup Third Round.

CCFC 1965-66 (August)

Sadly, the Sky Blues just missed out on the Division Two runners up spot (and promotion) by just a point this season to Southampton with Champions Manchester City a further five points ahead. They would have to wait just one more season to reach ‘the promised land’!

Middlesbrough went down this season with Leyton Orient who were a long way adrift at the bottom.

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