Matchday Memories: On This Day 1981 – Sexton’s Sky Blues Take It Easy In Indonesia

Posted by · Leave a Comment 

Manager Dave Sexton on the run

On this day (6th June) in 1981, having toured Japan three years previously, the Sky Blues were back in Asia. This time they were well into a South East Asian tour that took in Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Indonesia.

Arriving in mid May they had drawn 2-2 with a Thailand XI in Bangkok then beaten a Selangor XI 1-0 in Kuala Lumpur. Then on the last day of the month they beat the delightfully named South Korean outfit Halleluja FC in Hong Kong by the odd goal in seven. 

Gordon in relaxed mood

Long time Sky Blue gaffer Gordon Milne (now a CCFPA member) had departed in May and new manager Dave Sexton was now in charge.

In the first game of the Indonesian leg of the tour in June two days previously the Sky Blues had beaten an Indonesia national junior side at Surabaya 4-1. Today they were taking on a Surabaya National XI and, again, the game was an easy ride apparently as clearly the professional side from the UK was in a different class, winning 7-1. 

Gary in action

We have no details to hand at this time neither of this particular game or the remaining games in Indonesia apart from the scores. A side from the Indonesian capital Jakarta was beaten 3-0 two days later, another two days elapsed before Pardedetex were trounced 6-0. In the final game on June 12th a local Medan XI suffered a 4-0 reverse at the hands of the Sky Blues (and Gary Bannister grabbed a hat-trick).

Gordon Milne‘s chosen Sky Blues travelling party for these fixtures was:-

The late Les Sealey, Jim Blyth, Mick Coop, Danny Thomas, Brian Roberts, Gary Gillespie, Paul Dyson, Ray Gooding, Andy Blair, Steve Hunt, Peter Bodak, Mick Ferguson, Mark Hateley, Garry Thompson, Gerry Daly, Tom English, Steve Whitton and Gary Bannister.

(Those who later went on to join CCFPA are underlined)

CCFC 1980-81

Thanks to CCFPA’s Mike Young for sourcing the photos

 

Share Post

Comments

Speak Your Mind

Tell us what you're thinking...


*
= 5 + 0