Matchday Memories: On This Day 1965 – Celtic City Couple Help City Conquer Charlton

Jimmy Hill

On this day (13th March) in 1965, in their first season back in Division Two having been Champions of Division Three in 1963-64, Jimmy Hill‘s Sky Blues were consolidating. 

A week after beating Rotherham United away from Highfield Road by 2-0, this day’s opponents, this time at home, were Charlton Athletic and a good crowd of 21,621 saw the Sky Blues run out winners by exactly the same score. This win showed how much the Sky Blues had improved since the last day of October when the Addicks had comprehensively beaten JH’s men at the Valley by three clear goals.

Ron in the Sky Blue 1964

The away side were clearly missing the guile of Mike Bailey. Even with the crocked John Sillett hobbling on the wing for a good part of the game and flu victim Ken Keyworth struggling City eventually proved too strong for the south Londoners. The Sky Blues goalscorers (one in each half) were Welsh International Ronnie Rees after 23 minutes and Irish international David Clements who netted after 54 minutes. Ronnie’s goal was created by Ken Hale who was having a game of mixed quality. Clem’s goal was a fine swivel and finish from a Sky Blue corner.

Dave in the Sky Blue

Overall, despite the two goals the Sky Blues made surprisingly heavy weather of defeating one of the poorest sides seen in Coventry this season and this days defeat left the London side plumb bottom of Division Two.

‘JH‘s Boys’ that day lined up as follows:-

Bill Glazier, John Sillett*, Allan Harris*, Ron Farmer*, George Curtis*, Brian Hill*, Ronnie Rees*, George Hudson*, Ken Keyworth*, Ken Hale* and Dave Clements

*Sadly JH, John, Allan, Ron, Ronnie, Brian, both Georges and both Kens have since passed away. We are pleased to say that, apart from the two Kens, every member of this team later went on to join CCFPA.

The Addicks XI, managed by Frank Hill, lined up:-

Mick Rose, Billy Bonds, John Hewie, John Snedden, Frank Haydock, Brian Tocknell, John Kennedy, Roy Matthews, Eddie Firmani, Len Glover and Brian Kinsey    Referee:- K.Walker

CCFC 1964-65

The Sky Blues finished tenth in Division Two in 1964-65 and it would only take two further seasons to reach the promised land of the top tier. The ‘Addicks’, improving a bit after this defeat, finished in a lowly eighteenth position this season.

Newcastle United were divisional Champions by a point from Northampton Town and both Swindon Town and Swansea Town (in bottom place) went down.

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