Matchday Memories: On This Day 1970 – City’s Euro Adventure Begins in Bulgaria (& 2010 Reunion Remembered)

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John in the Sky Blue

Neil in the Sky Blue 1970

The Sky Blues sixth place finish in 1969-70 gave them the chance of an inaugural fixture in their first ever European campaign this season. They had drawn Bulgarian side Trakia Plovdiv (now Botev Plovdiv) in the first round of the UEFA (European Fairs) Cup over two legs.

On this day (16th September) now over half a century ago, in 1970, the first leg saw the Sky Blues travel to Plovdiv and 15,000 fans (including about fifty from Coventry) saw the Sky Blues prevail 4-1 with our inside forward (the late) John O’Rourke getting a hat-trick (on 39, 69 & 89 minutes) and centre-forward Neil Martin the other goal, two minutes before the break. Both forwards later became CCFPA members. Trakia’s Petar Radkov got the Bulgarians only goal with the Sky Blues 3-0 up after 75 minutes.

The two teams line up before the game

The Sky Blues greeted by young Bulgarians pitchside before kick-off

City had to survive considerable early pressure from the home side but nerves were settled after John O’Rourke took advantage of Ernie Hunt‘s shot being only parried by the Trakia goalie, Mihail Karushkov. Neil then scored a stunning 25 yarder to send the visitors in at half time with a two goal cushion.

Trakia subbed their man between the sticks for Dragan Radenkov at the break. Nevertheless, the Sky Blues lead was extended by another O’Rourke goal exploiting a Ivan Gluhchev error. After Trakia got their goal, the slight hope of a revival was crushed by John’s third goal, a tap-in.

Image

Fans celebrate City’ European adventure

The return leg was played at Highfield Road in front of 20,930 at the end of the month and the Sky Blues repeated their victory, this time by two clear goals both scored in the first half by CCFPA members Brian Joicey after half an hour and, his now fellow CCFPA member, Jeff Blockley five minutes later to produce a 6-1 aggregate.

The history books show the City went out on aggregate in the next round to the mighty Bayern Munich losing 4-1 in Germany but beating the Germans 2-1 in the return. Therefore the Sky Blues won both home ties in their, so far, only European adventure!

John O’Rourke thwarted this time by Karushkov

The teams in this historic game fifty years ago were as follows:-

CCFC’s Manager, Noel Cantwell

Noel Cantwell‘s Sky Blues  were:-

Bill Glazier, Mick Coop, Wilf Smith, Ernie Machin*, Jeff Blockley, Geoff Strong*, Ernie Hunt*, Willie Carr, Neil Martin, John O’Rourke* and Dave Clements

Sadly four of this historic Sky Blues team (asterisked*) have since passed away, both Ernies, Geoff and scorer John. We are pleased to say all members of this team later went on to join this Association.

Trakia Plovdiv (managed by Vasil Spasov) lined up:-

Mihail Karushkov (sub. Dragan Radenkov-46), Vangel Delev, Ivan Gluhchev, Vidin Apostolov, Ivan Zagduma, Hristofor Marinov, Georgi Popov, Dinko Dermenjiev (capt), Upinov, Bogomir Stanoev and Petar Radkov  Referee: F.Rion (Belgium)

The 1970 Players Team Photo 2010

Roy & Dinko exchange pennants 2010

Such international and inter-city friendships were forged between clubs and fans in these two games that forty years after these historic ties, now over a decade ago in 2010, CCFC and CCFPA hosted a reunion of the 1970 Sky Blues at the Ricoh and were honoured to entertain visiting guests from Bulgaria. 

Ten players from the Sky Blues’ 1970 squad came.  Roy Barry; Jeff Blockley; Dietmar Bruck; Willie Carr; Chris Cattlin; Mick Coop; Ian Goodwin; Trevor GouldErnie Hannigan; and Billy Rafferty were entertained. Ernie Hannigan (since sadly passed away) flew in from his Australian home. Our warmest welcome was for our very special guest, Bulgarian International and ‘Player of the Century’  Dinko ‘Chiko’ Dermendjiev, the Trakia captain who was welcomed by CCFC captain of the time Roy Barry and then CCFC chairman Ray Ranson.

A great day of reminiscence was had by all and the reunion prompted a great friendly social media interchange between fans of both clubs. A full photo record of this reunion can be found by clicking the ‘Galleries’ tab above and selecting the third option in the drop down list provided.

Flowers are presented to the team pre match

The next time City qualified for Europe was in 1986-87 after winning the F.A.Cup final. Sadly the Heysal tragedy saw English clubs banned from the Cup Winners Cup so City have had to wait even longer for their next chance…… Thanks to Mike Young & Dean Nelson (CCFPA committee members) for sourcing the images.

 

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