Matchday Memories: On This Day 1987 – See Sillett’s Sky Blues Start Season With ‘Spurs Success

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City ‘gaffer’ John Sillett

In the first of two impressive opening day 2-1 wins over London clubs, eleven years apart, on this day (15th August) we cover first a repeat win over Tottenham Hotspur in 1987 only a few months after that stupendous and memorable 3-2 extra time win over David Pleat‘s side the previous May in the F.A.Cup at Wembley.

Both this win and the defeat of Chelsea in 1998 (see later post today) started off the Sky Blue season with great optimism and showcased the skills of a very different group of Sky Blues stars of the past.

Sky Blue Speedie

Greg in the Sky Blue

This time in 1987, in front of 24,681 fans at Highfield Road CCFPA members David Speedie (with a precise curling finish on 21 minutes, on his superb debut) and Greg Downs (with a deflected shot on half-time) did the damage which once more dented the Londoner’s pride. City dominated Tottenham Hotspur in the first half and Chris Fairclough had no answer to the Speedie style of play.

Gary Mabbutt, whose knee had previously assisted the Sky Blues to F.A.Cup glory, got the ‘Spurs goal on 69 minutes, albeit also via a deflection. Now CCFPA member, former Sky Blue full back Danny Thomas was in the ‘Spurs side that day.

Thanks to CCFPA’s Dean Nelson you can relive the highlights by clicking on the image below:-

Every member of the management (John Sillett) and team that day went on to join CCFPA!

Image

Speedie bamboozles the Spurs defence

Steve Ogrizovic, Brian Borrows, Greg Downs, Lloyd McGrath, Brian Kilcline, Trevor Peake, Dave Bennett, Micky Gynn, the late Cyrille Regis, David Speedie (sub. Keith Houchen) and Nick Pickering

It was great to see every single one of them (apart from the late, great ‘Big Cyrille’) back in Coventry just a few days ago for the Coventry Cathedral funeral of CCFC titan George Curtis!

Spurs fielded the following side:-

Ray Clemence, Gary Stevens, Danny Thomas, Richard Gough, Chris Fairclough, Gary Mabbutt, Clive Allen, Paul Allen (sub. Johnny Metgod -1), Chris Waddle, Steve Hodge and Nico Claessen (sub. Ossie Ardiles -2)   Referee:- B.Hill

CCFC 1987-88

City got a 2-2 draw at White Hart Lane the following January with goals from the deeply missed Cyrille Regis and CCFPA committee member Dave Bennett! Sillett’s men finished in a very creditable tenth place in the top flight. Tottenham had a poor season for them and manager David Pleat was eventually replaced by Terry Venables who guided the club to a 13th place finish!

Liverpool took the Division One title by nine points from Manchester United. The three clubs to be automatically relegated this season were Portsmouth, Watford and bottom club Oxford United and they went down with 18th placed Chelsea (after the playoffs).

Thanks to CCFPA’s Mike Young for sourcing the photos.

 

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