Matchday Memories: On This Day 1975 – Milne’s Men Fox Foxes At Filbert St.

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Gordon in relaxed mood

On this day (27th September) in 1975 the Sky Blues, then managed by CCFPA member Gordon Milne, continued their reasonable start to the 1975-76 season having already won, drawn and lost three times in their first nine Division One games.

In midweek they had been battered to a single goal defeat against Jack Charlton‘s cynical Middlesbrough side at Highfield Road so were looking for some light relief on the road this afternoon at East Midland’s neighbours Leicester City who were without a win to date.

The Sky Blues ensured it continued that way as they ran out 3-0 winners at Filbert Street in front of a crowd of 20,411. Gordon, of course, would go on to manage the Foxes when he left Highfield Road in May 1981!

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John Craven in the Sky Blue

After the first ten minutes or so the Foxes were never in it as Milne’s men tightened their grip on the game. The Sky Blues No.9 David Cross was deadly and helped himself to a second half brace of headers within four minutes.

Bryan King in Sky Blue green

However, CCFC’s first came in the 21st minute of the first half from John Craven as he swept in a corner kick taken by Tommy Hutchison. David’s two goals (on 52 & 56 minutes) were also converted, one at the near and one at the far post, from crosses by Tommy Hutch.

Sky Blues ‘keeper Bryan King, who had faced criticism from some Sky Blue supporters for mistakes at home games, certainly played well today and made two memorable saves from Foxes’ forwards Steve Kember and former Sky Blue Brian Alderson (who sadly died at the tragically early age of 46 in the States in 1997).

The win put the Sky Blues up to seventh after ten games as the Foxes languished in twentieth place.

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David Cross in the Sky Blue

The Sky Blues team that day was:-

Bryan King, Graham Oakey, Jim Brogan*, John Craven*, Alan Dugdale, Jim Holmes, Mick Coop, Dennis Mortimer, David Cross, Alan Green (sub. Barry Powell) and Tommy Hutchison

Jim and John (players asterisked*) have sadly since passed away and, unlike all their colleagues, were unable to join CCFPA.

Jimmy Bloomfield‘s Foxes’ XI lined up as follows:-

Mark Wallington, Steve Whitworth, Dennis Rofe, Steve Kember, Steve Sims, Alan Birchenall, Keith Weller, Brian Alderson*, Frank Worthington, Jon Sammels and Chris Garland.    Referee:- B.Homewood

Apart from Brian, former Sky Blue (and now CCFPA member) Jeff Blockley was also on the Foxes’ books but did not play on this day.

CCFC 1975-76

Leicester City‘s season, which began so badly, later picked up substantially and in early April they got substantial revenge over the Sky Blues beating them 2-0 at Highfield Road and eventually finishing seventh in Division One. Milne’s men finished their Division One season safe enough in fourteenth position. Liverpool won the title by a point from Queens Park Rangers whilst Wolverhampton Wanderers, Burnley and Sheffield United took the drop!

Thanks to CCFPA’s Dean Nelson & Mike Young for the images.

 

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