Matchday Memories: On This Day 1990 – Tigers Tank To Sillett’s Sky Blues In LC At Highfield Rd
Dave Speedie in full flight
On this last day of October in 1990 former Sky Blue full back John Sillett (all too recently taken from the game) was coming towards the end of his largely successful period in the Sky Blue managerial hotseat. He would be replaced by player-manager Terry Butcher early the following month as results this season were decidedly patchy. Last time out in Division One three days previously he had guided the Sky Blues to a single goal win over Sheffield United at Highfield Road thanks to an eightieth minute penalty from Brian Borrows. However CCFC had won only two other league games in their first ten games this campaign. Today thoughts turned to the League (Rumbelows) Cup, once more at home.
Sky Blue Steve Livingstone
Cyrille in the Sky Blue
In the two legged Second Round City had removed Bolton Wanderers with a 4-2 home wim and another victory by the odd goal in five at Burnden Park. Today’s Third Round opponents were lower league Hull City which attracted an attendance ten thousand less than for the game against the Blades. The Sky Blue fans among the 7,698 crowd were not anticipating too much trouble in getting through and so it proved (eventually) with a 3-0 win.
John Sillett CCFC gaffer
Two minutes into the second period David Speedie began to assert City’s superior position with a goal and then Micky Gynn and Cyrille Regis went to work inspiring a Sky Blue recovery. Young striker Steve Livingstone was teed up to strike a Sky Blue second on 66 minutes and then ‘Big Cyrille’ wrapped the tie up with six minutes left!
Sillett’s Sky Blues lined up as follows:-
Leigh in the Sky Blue
We are delighted to say that all these players later went on to join CCFPA
Iain Hesford, Dave Hockaday, Wayne Jacobs, Neil Buckley, Malcolm Shotton, Steve Doyle (sub. Harry Ngata -2), Tony Finnigan, Andy Payton, Dave Bamber (sub. Peter Swan -1), Leigh Palin and Ian McParland Referee: J.Martin
Leigh Jenkinson who was on Hull City‘s books at this time would become a Sky Blue player 1993-95 (and later also join CCFPA)
CCFC 1990-91 under John Sillett
Terry in the Sky Blue
The Sky Blues’ win earned them a home tie with Nottingham Forest at the end of November which was certainly a game of two halves. Now under Terry Butcher, City were 4-0 up at half-time but the Forest fought back level before Steve Livingstone decided the nine goal thriller. City’s Kevin Gallacher and Forest’s Nigel Clough both got hat-tricks in this exciting game. As a bit of an anti-climax the Sky Blues were put out of the League Cup by Sheffield Wednesday at Highfield Road in the Quarter Final by the only goal of the game.
In the league, the Sky Blues, now under Terry Butcher finished that Division One season well clear (ten points) of relegation in sixteenth spot. Sunderland and bottom club Derby County were the fall-guys this season. Despite having a point deducted Arsenal still took the D1 title by seven points from Liverpool.
Thanks to CCFPA’s Mike Young (& Dean Nelson) for sourcing the images.
