Matchday Memories: On This Day 2005 – Sky Blues Sheffers, Shaun & Steve Sort Seagulls

Manager Micky

On this day (2nd April) in 2005 the Sky Blues were coming towards the end of a Championship season which had not gone well and, since the end of January, the team had been under the managerial leadership of former player Micky Adams who had been appointed following the sacking of (now fellow CCFPA member) Peter Reid. The Sky Blues had not won a game since their 3-2 victory at Watford in early March and last time out lost by the only goal at top-of-the table Sunderland.

Today’s opponents at Highfield Road (in their last season in their home of well over a century) were fellow strugglers Brighton with whom City had drawn 1-1 in the third match of the season. (Now CCFPA member) Stephen Hughes got the Sky Blues’ goal back in August.

Gary McSheffrey in action

This crucial relegation battle against another previous club of our ‘gaffer’, was a tense affair with no goals at the break. City got their noses in front just two minutes after the second half resumed from a penalty from ‘Cov.Kid’ (and now CCFPA member) Gary McSheffrey. Sky Blues debutant (and Gary’s fellow CCFPA member today) Shaun Goater had his shirt pulled by Brighton’s Guy Butters in the box and ‘Sheffers’ thumped the ball home past Alan Blayney. Two minutes after the hour saw the Seagulls equalise and it was a surprise goal from future Sky Blue loanee Adam Virgo.

Shaun Goater

Thankfully the Sky Blues reacted by pummelling the Seagulls defence with both attacking subs Trevor Benjamin and (now CCFPA member) ‘Dele Adebola taking leading roles. With the Sky Blue Army roaring the team on, finally, six minutes from time City midfielder Steve Staunton produced a foraging run and decisive 20 yard drive off the woodwork to win the game for the Sky Blues getting City’s winner 6 mins from time.

This victory brought to an end a seven game run of home games without a win and gave the Sky Blues hope in their ambition to beat the drop.

For the record Micky’s Men this day llined up (CCFPA members underlined):-

Luke Steele, Richard Duffy, Marcus Hall, Stephen Hughes, Robert Page, Steve Staunton, Claus Bech Jorgensen (sub. Andy Morrell -79), Michael Doyle, Shaun Goater (sub. Trevor Benjamin -79), Gary McSheffrey and Lloyd Dyer (sub. ‘Dele Adebola -68)

Unused subs: Andy Whing & Kevin Pressman (gk)

Mark McGhee‘s Seagulls were represented by:-

Alan Blayney, Paul Reid, Dan Harding (sub. Nathan Jones -86), Charlie Oatway, Joe Dolan, Guy Butters, Gary Hart, Dean Hammond (sub. Alexis Nicolas -87), Mark McCammon (sub. Chris McPhee -75), Adam Virgo and Leon Knight. Unused subs: Gary Elphick & Rami Shaaban (gk). Referee:- Mark Cowburn (Lancs)

The Sky Blues won two of their remaining six games including a wonderful, emotional farewell to Highfield Road with a 6-2 demolition of Derby County. Despite losing their last game of the season 2-1 at Crewe Alexandra the Sky Blues managed to stay up in 19th spot three places and two points above trouble. The Seagulls were tucked in a place below City and a point behind. Gillingham, Nottingham Forest and bottom club Rotherham United suffered the drop. Sunderland, as champions, went up with 2nd place Wigan Athletic and (via the play-offs) 6th placed West Ham.