Matchday Memories: On This pre-Season Day 2005 – QPR Mug Sky Blues For Copa Ibiza

Tournament Programme

On this day (July 14th) in 2005 Sky Blues manager Micky Adams‘ Sky Blues were in Spain facing Championship rivals Queen’s Park Rangers in the Final of a four club tournament (The Copa Ibiza) completing the first part of the Club’s pre-season preparations. The Sky Blues would end up being defeated in controversial and fractious circumstances.

The former Sky Blue player turned ‘gaffer’ (and now CCFPA member) had seen the tournament start well for his boys as the Sky Blues defeated League One Huddersfield Town in their Semi Final with a lone goal from Gary McSheffrey. QPR had no trouble beating local side San Antonio de Portmanay FC 5-0 in their initial game in the Copa De Ibiza tournament.

Ticket for the final

The Sky Blues game against the Rangers kicked off at at the late hour of 9pm so there had been plenty of time for spectators to partake of sun and sangria before kick off as Sky Blues fans among the 1,300 crowd were outnumbered by perhaps four to one. There were concerns about trouble at the game before it started and both managers appealed for restraint prior to the game but off field problems quickly arose as play developed.

Dele in the Sky Blue

The Sky Blues moved into an encouraging two goal first half lead from ‘Dele Adebola after 25 minutes and Gary McSheffrey five minutes later but then fighting broke out in the stands as, allegedly, fans from London attacked elements in the Sky Blue contingent in an unsegregated part of the ground. This caused police to wade in with batons to restore order and a delay of several minutes in the game. Micky and QPR manager Ian Holloway called for calm and the match went on.

Gary in the Sky Blue

City fans were mystified when what appeared to be a perfectly good goal from ‘Sheffers’ was ruled out eleven minutes from time (which would have given the Sky Blues a 3-1 lead) by the officials (ref. Colin Plummer). The three second-half Rangers’ goals, a brace from Dean Sturridge (47 & 80) and a late winner seven minutes from time from Kevin Gallen turned the game on its head and helped to ease the tension in the stadium as the trouble-makers latched onto the Londoner’s victory.

You can read a vivid contemporary eye witness report here from CCFPA Associate member Kev Monks who was one of the Sky Blue fans who travelled to Ibiza in what was apparently a not particularly well organised official tour and was present for both City games.

Sky Blue Manager Micky

Micky’s men lined up as follows for the final (CCFPA members underlined):-

Chris Day (Mark Paston -2), Andrew Whing, Richard Duffy, Matt Heath, Robert Page, Isaac Osbourne, James Scowcroft (Liam Davis -1), Michael Doyle, ‘Dele Adebola (Graham Barrett -3), Gary McSheffrey and Claus Bech Jorgensen.

Both Chris and Mark were on ‘keepers trial but neither were offered a contract

QPR’s players were

First Half: Jake Cole, Kevin Gallen, Marc Bircham (Tommy Doherty), Ian Evatt, Aaron Brown, Paul Furlong, Matthew Rose, Adam Miller, Marcus Bignot, Georges Santos and Adam Chambers

Second half: Simon Royce, Danny Shittu, Stefan Moore, Lee Cook, Tommy Doherty, Dominic Shimmin, Matthew Hislop, Marcus Bean, Dean Sturridge (Adam Chambers), Ugo ‘Hugo’ Ukah and Kevin Gallen

Rangers’ Ian Evatt is a ‘Cov.Kid’ and their forward on this day Paul Furlong had started his top flight professional career with the Sky Blues from 1991-92

After the game further incidents between fans apparently took place in some of the bars in San Antonio

CCFC 2005-06

City only won one of their remaining five pre-season games, two games in Ireland and fixtures at Rushden & Diamonds, Walsall and Port Vale.

However, in the subsequent Championship season the Sky Blues got their full revenge on Q.P.R. beating them in that first ever game at the Ricoh by 3-0 (and also doing the double by getting a 1-0 win in London)! The Sky Blues finished 8th in 2005-06 whilst Rangers languished in 21st position just above the three relegated clubs Crewe Alexandra, Millwall and Brighton.

Thanks to CCFPA’s Mike Young for sourcing the photos