Matchday Memories: On This Day 1988 – Sillett’s Sky Blues See Off Lawro’s Oxford

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Cyrille in the Sky Blue

On this day well over 30 years ago (April 2nd) in 1988 former CCFC player turned gaffer John Sillett‘s Sky Blues faced Oxford United in a Division One fixture at Highfield Road in front of 15,745 fans. The U’s, managed by former Liverpool hero Mark Lawrenson, were without a win in ten games and should have made easy meat for the Sky Blues.  However in the first week in November the U’s had beaten the Sky Blues at their place with the only goal of the game coming in the 81st minute from a Dean Saunders‘ penalty.

In today’s game, however, Oxford’s goalkeeper Barry Hucker certainly kept them in the game with a string of fine saves in what looked to be a nailed on scoreless bore draw. However, it took an 89th minute header from our late member Cyrille Regis to grab the points. Cyrille’s header came from a quickly taken Dean Emerson free kick and an accurate cross from David Phillips (all three later became CCFPA members).

Dean in the Sky Blue

David in the Sky Blue

Sillett’s Sky Blues that day were:-

Steve Ogrizovic, Brian Borrows, Nick Pickering, Steve Sedgley, Brian Kilcline, Trevor Peake, Dean Emerson, David Phillips, the late Cyrille Regis, David Speedie, David Smith (sub. Micky Gynn).

We are proud to say that every single member of that 1988 team went on to join this Association!

Image

Cyrille & Sills Share A Joke

Oxford’s side comprised:-

Barry Hucker, David Bardsley, Richard Hill, Gary Shelton, Gary Briggs, Colin Greenall, Trevor Hebberd, Martin Foyle (substitute Lee Nogan), Dean Saunders, Peter Rhoades-Brown and Robbie Mustoe       Referee:- K.Walmsley

CCFC 1987-88

City went ninth in the table and went on to lose just one of the last nine matches giving them a 10th place finish. Oxford finished bottom, eleven points from safety and were relegated along with Watford, Portsmouth and (after a playoff) Chelsea. Liverpool were nine points clear of Manchester United at the top and took the Division One title comfortably.

Thanks to CCFPA’s Mike Young & Dean Nelson for sourcing the photos

 

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