Village People: Former Players Join Guests In Toasting George After His Funeral

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Thanks to the kind generosity of the family of Coventry City legend George Curtis, who passed away aged 82 at the end of last month, many of our FP members (as well as the CCFPA committee) were able to join a substantial number of other guests at the Village Hotel resort after the ‘Iron Man’s’ funeral and his private cremation. All had been at the sad, poignant but essentially uplifting funeral service at Coventry Cathedral where guests and fans had gathered to mourn and pay tribute to a giant of a man who brought so much pleasure to his football club and city. We covered this gathering yesterday on this website.

Keith, Lloyd, Benno, David & Kevan Smith, Speedo & Dean surround former ‘gaffer’ John Sillett

Chris Cattlin chatting with CCFPA’s Billy Bell & Sarah Morris

Today we share some photos taken at the ‘wake’ where most of the significant number of players and club officials and other guests from the world of football as well as large numbers of other family friends gathered again to mix, chat and remember George during his extensive Sky Blue days.

Billy, Lloyd, Mick Kearns & the Houch

This stretched from being a key player and ‘skipper’ in the 1960s through to his roles as commercial director and MD in the eighties. Players and others from the Jimmy Hill era who shared (at least in part) with George the heady ride from third and fourth tier football with CCFC all the way to the top flight on Jimmy Hill‘s ‘Sky Blue Express’ mingled with many representatives of the magnificent ‘Boys of 87’ who brought the F.A.Cup back with them to an ecstatic Coventry after their wonderful Wembley win over Spurs in 1987.

Peakey & Killer chat to Sills

Focus of attention (see above) was frequently George’s partner in football John Sillett who galvanised the 1987 squad to achieve their magnificent achievement.

We will let the images do the talking in showing how much the players of the Sky Blues past enjoyed the opportunity to gather again to renew their memories despite the sadness of the reason for them meeting up. The camaraderie will live on especially for the ‘Boys of 87’ whose 35th Anniversary reunion is due next year!

Trevor Peake & Jim Blyth

Nick Pickering, Peakey & Greggy Downs talking (with another legend Bill Glazier on the screen behind)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dietmar Bruck in jovial mood

John Williams {TFP) in conversation

Benno & Dean Emerson (who had lost another CCFPA tie!)

Brian Borrows chats

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We list below the FPs (all CCFPA members) who attended the service and/or this later gathering. See who you can spot on the following photos in addition to those mentioned!

Dave Bennett , Blair Andy, Geoff Blockley, Jim Blyth, Dietmar Bruck, Brian Borrows, Dave Buust, Chris Cattlin,  Howard Clark, Mick Coop, Greg Downs, Dean Emerson, Ron Farmer, Terry Gibson, Ian Goodwin, Micky Gynn, Marcus Hall, Keith Houchen, Brian Kilcline, Lloyd McGrath, Gordon Milne, Steve Ogrizovic,  Trevor Peake, David Phillips, Nick Pickering, Barry Powell, Graham Rodger, Steve Sedgley, John Sillett, David Smith, Kevan Smith, David Speedie, Graham Walker, Bob Wesson and John Williams.

Thanks to CCFPA’s Richard Morris and Mike Young for the photos

 

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