Matchday Memories: On This Day 1954 – Brown’s Brace Sets Up CCFC’s Shrews Success

Jack Fairbrother

On this day (13th March) in 1954 Coventry City were spending their second season in Division Three South, having been relegated from Division Two in 1951-52. Jack Fairbrother had taken over from the club’s legendary two time ‘gaffer’ Harry Storer in January and the team continued to have a pretty up and down season. However, today ‘the Bantams’ (as City were known in the pre Sky Blue era) had a good day today at Highfield Road meeting and beating Shrewsbury Town by the odd goal in three.  They had drawn a goal apiece at Gay Meadow in early January with City’s goal scored by Don Dorman.

Eddy Brown in Bantam’s kit

There were only 7,883 fans in City’s old stadium to see the Bantams’ No. 9 Eddy Brown bag himself a brace, one in each half, to see off the Shrews. Eddy had built up a goal scoring reputation with both Preston North End and Southampton before making his debut for City in 1951-52. He got his first after twenty minutes. The team from Salop could have lost more heavily as Gordon Nutt had a ‘goal’ disallowed for hands before the opener and the usually dependable Roy Kirk squandered a penalty chance five minutes before the break. The Bantams went in at half time a goal to the good.

The Bantams began to regret their missed chances when William Dodd got the Shrews equaliser after 52 minutes heading in a rebound of a post from his own shot. However, it only took a couple of minuted for City’s No.9 to bang in the winner. There was even time for another effort from Eddy to be disallowed – City’s third such in the game. The score very much flattered the Shrews!

In his second season (1952-53) Eddy got an impressive twenty goals in his 34 league and cup outings and his brace today contributed towards meeting this exact total this season – another goal ‘score’ in 1953-54 demonstrated his consistency. Finally, netting eight goals in his first dozen games in 1954 encouraged neighbours Birmingham to sign him from us in October 1954 (where he continued to score prolifically).

Ron in 1952-53

Jack Fairbrother’s men that day lined up as follows:-

Peter Taylor; Charlie Timmins & Roy Kirk; Noel Simpson, Martin McDonnell & Frank Austin; Gordon Nutt, Don Dorman, Eddy Brown, Ron Waldock & Jimmy Hill

As far as we know all the members of this team have since passed away apart from 92 year old CCFPA member Ronnie Waldock. Charlie, Ian and Gordon also later joined the Association. Ian later became a director and then Chairman of CCFC. Please note that Jimmy was obviously a different player to our illustrious sixties Sky Blue manager, JH. Goalie Peter Taylor went on to achieve fame as the managerial partner of Brian Clough.

Sammy Crooks‘ Shrews’ XI lined up as follows:-

John McBride, James Bannister, John Parr, William Dodd, Maurice Candlin, William H. Cooke, Derek Price, Arnold Jackson, John Hudson, Jackie Stamps and Alexander McCue   Referee:- H.P.Hartley (Burnley)

CCFC 1953-54

At the end of the season Coventry City finished fourteenth in Division Three South with the Shrews four places from the bottom. Ipswich Town took the title this season. Colchester United and last placed Walsall were at the bottom and had to seek re-election (which both succeeded in doing).

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