Matchday Memories: On This Day 1997 – See Sky Blue Soltvedt Sort The Saints

Gordon Strachan -City’s ‘gaffer’

On this day (13th September) in 1997 (now CCFPA member) Gordon Strachan pitched his Sky Blues team against Southampton in a Premier League fixture at Highfield Road in front of a crowd of 18,666. Former Sky Blue defender (and now Association member) Dave Jones was in charge at the Dell. The League’s fixture computers had been kind to CCFC giving them four out of the first six games at the home of the Sky Blues. CCFC had seen off Chelsea 3-2 in the season’s opener at Highfield Road followed up a couple of days later by a 2-0 reverse at Highbury, the home of Arsenal. The previous Saturday the Sky Blues had another home fixture against Bolton Wanderers and managed a 2-2 draw.

Sky Blue Kevin Richardson

Next, in mid week, West Ham United forced a 1-1 draw at Highfield Road before the Sky Blues went down 0-3 at Old Trafford against Manchester United. Kevin Richardson who had played three times for the Sky Blues thus far this season had moved across to the south coast club in mid week and had gone straight into their side today – but had a quiet debut! Profiting from bit of a break in the fixtures, Sky Blues captain Gary McAllister had recovered from injury to play today and he certainly made a difference with a sparkling performance in the first half! 

Gary in the Sky Blue

In the end City deserved the single goal victory and the win was a good fortieth birthday birthday present for the Sky Blues’ already legendary ‘keeper (and now CCFPA member) Steve Ogrizovic! 

Our central defender (another ex Sky Blue who joined CCFPA) Paul Williams was uncompromising at the heart of keeping the Saints at bay but did pick up his fifth booking of the season so far.

Trond in the Sky Blue

Sky Blue Scandinavians had a good day! City’s Swedish full back (and future ‘gaffer’) Roland Nilsson was immaculate (as usual) and City’s Norwegian midfielder Trond-Egil Soltvedt (both fairly recent CCFPA members) made the break through five minutes after the hour mark with a fine shimmy and finish in the box after a dinked pass from (now CCFPA member) Dion Dublin.

To see the highlights of the game, courtesy of Dean Nelson just click on the image below:-

For the record the Sky Blues’ team that day comprised (CCFPA members underlined):-

Steve Ogrizovic, Roland Nilsson, David Burrows, Trond Egil Soltvedt, Paul D.Williams, Richard Shaw, Paul Telfer, Gary McAllister, Dion Dublin, Darren Huckerby and John Salako. 

Unused subs: Kyle Lightbourne, Willie Boland, Marcus Hall, Martin Johansen and Magnus Hedman (gk)

David Jones in the Sky Blue

Dave Jones Saints XI lined up as follows:-

Paul Jones, Jason Dodd, Lee Todd, Kevin Richardson, Ken Monkou, Claus Lundekvam, Jason Bowen (sub. Stig Johanssen -69), Matt Oakley, Egil Østenstad (sub. Kevin Davies -46), Mickey Evans, David Hughes (sub. Alan Neilsen -69) Unused subs: Neil Maddison and Maik Taylor (gk)    Referee:- Uriah Rennie (Sheffield)

The return game at the Dell took place in mid February and the Sky Blues were pleased to complete the double over the Saints beating them 2-1 with goals from Sky Blue forward terrors (both now CCFPA members) Noel Whelan and Darren Huckerby.  

CCFC 1997-98

Both teams had a reasonable season with similar records but the Sky Blues, once more ahead! Gordon’s Sky Blues got themselves up to a respectable eleventh place finish in the Premier League in 1997-98. The Saints finished twefth on 48 points with Bolton Wanderers (40), Barnsley (35) and Crystal Palace (33) the relegated sides.

It was Arsenal‘s year for the title as they pipped Manchester United by a point.

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