Matchday Memories: On This Day 1982 – Sexton’s Sky Blues Suffer Sealey’s Surplus Step At Maine Rd.

On this day (2nd October) in 1982 the Sky Blues were facing their eighth Division One fixture of the season under Dave Sexton. His team at Highfield Road had so far started with two narrow 1-0 home victories against Southampton on the opening day and against Sunderland. Last time out, CCFC had beaten Everton more easily by 4-2. However, CCFC’s away performances had been poor, losing at Swansea Town, Ipswich Town and Birmingham. There was, apart from the Everton game, something of a Sky Blues goal drought – only four goals in their first six league games and only eight in seven games to date. Today’s match at Manchester City saw yet another away defeat and a controversial turning point.

Jim in the Sky Blue 1982

There was a crowd of 25,105 present at Maine Road to see the contest and things began well for the Sky Blues as the Sky Blues Scottish striker Jim Melrose slotted home after only eight minutes. Apparently out-of-favour Gerry Daly (also, like Jim an Association member) was back in the visitors side today and helped keep the Sky Blues largely on top in the first period. However, The home side’s Graham Baker fashioned an equaliser seven minutes before the half time whistle.

Les Sealey in Sky Blue action

Garry in the Sky Blue

The controversial turning point took place five minutes into the new half when high profile referee Keith Hackett decided to penalise the Sky  Blue ‘keeper Les Sealey for falling foul of the fairly new ‘four step rule’ for goalies in the box (apparently he carried the ball for five steps in a technical offence rarely penalised in those days). The Mancunian side’s Tommy Caton blasted home the subsequent free kick within the box and the balance of the game changed.

To add insult to injury Sky Blue Old Boy (and now CCFPA member) David Cross sealed the win for the ‘other’ team top flight in light blue against his old club scoring with just twenty minutes left. Even though young Sky Blues striker Garry Thompson (another Association man) grabbed one back seven minutes later the home team held out for their 3-2 win.

Dave Sexton, CCFC’s gaffer

Dave Sexton‘s Sky Blues that day comprised:-

The late Les Sealey, Danny Thomas, Brian Roberts, Steve Jacobs, Paul Dyson, Gary Gillespie, Steve Whitton, Gerry Daly (sub. Ian Butterworth), Jim Melrose, Garry Thompson and Steve Hunt

Apart from our goalie Les, who died tragically young before he had a chance to do so, all the rest of his team mates went on to join this Association. Sadly Dave, our ‘gaffer’ that day, has also since passed away.

Manchester City‘s XI lined up as follows:-

Alex Williams, Ray Ranson, Paul Power, Graham Baker, Kevin Bond, Tommy Caton, Dennis Tueart, Kevin Reeves, David Cross, Asa Harford and Paul Simpson       Referee:- Keith Hackett

David Cross in the Sky Blue

Given the frequency of ‘the curse of the former player’ it was perhaps fortunate for the Sky Blues that only David Cross (now a CCFPA member) was in the Manchester City team that day since both ex Sky Blues defender Bobby McDonald and forward Peter Bodak was also at Maine Road at the time. Their full back on the day, Ray Ranson, of course, in 2007 led a successful takeover package for CCFC and became MD of the club.

The Sky Blues got full revenge for today’s disappointment in the Highfield Road return in February comprehensively beating a struggling Manchester City side by four clear goals scored by Jim Melrose, Mark Hateley, Gary Gillespie and Steve Hunt (all now CCFPA members).

CCFC 1982-83

The Sky Blues just about managed to avoid relegation at the end of the season finishing in nineteenth, one point and one place above the drop. The Mancunians didn’t avoid that fate finishing a point and a place beneath CCFC and going down with Swansea Town and bottom club Brighton.

Liverpool were Division One Champions this season with, perhaps surprisingly, Watford as runners-up albeit eleven points behind the Reds.

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