Matchday Memories: On This Day 1970 – Euro Sky Blues Second Taming Of Trakia

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Trakia programme back

The Sky Blues sixth placed finish in 1969-70 had given them the chance of their first European campaign in their history. In the first round they had drawn Bulgarian side Trakia Plovdiv (now Botev Plovdiv) in the UEFA (European Fairs) Cup over two legs. 

In mid September the Sky Blues had travelled to Plovdiv in Bulgaria to undertake the first leg and 15,000 fans (including about fifty from Coventry) saw the Sky Blues prevail 4-1 with our inside forward John O’Rourke getting a hat-trick (on 39, 69 and 89 minutes) and centre forward Neil Martin the other 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. This was a fine Sky Blue European debut!

Brian Joicey in Sky Blue action

On this Wednesday evening (3oth September 1970) City played the second leg and, once more, claimed victory over the Bulgarian side, this time by two clear goals, both scored in the first period, by our north-eastern forward Brian Joicey and Leicester born centre-half Jeff Blockley (both now CCFPA members).

The return leg was played at Highfield Road in front of 20,930. Brian’s goal came after half an hour and Jeff’s five minutes later to produce a 6-1 aggregate overall and passage to the next round.

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

CCFC’s Manager, Noel Cantwell

Noel Cantwell‘s Sky Blues (CCFPA members underlined) were:-

Bill Glazier, Mick Coop, Dietmar Bruck, Dave Clements, Jeff Blockley, Geoff Strong*, Ernie Hunt*, Willie Carr, Brian Joicey (sub. Billy Rafferty -53), John O’Rourke* and Brian Alderson*

Sadly four of this historic Sky Blues team (asterisked*) along with their ‘gaffer’ have since passed away, Geoff, John, Ernie and Brian. Dietmar is a log time valued member of the Association’s hard working committee.

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

Dragan Radenkov (sub. Mihail Karushkov -23), Vangel Delev, Ivan Gluhchev, Vidin Apostolov, Ivan Zagduma, Hristofor Marinov, Georgi Popov, Dinko Dermenjiev (capt), Dobrin Nenov, Bogomir Stanoev and Georgi Ubinov                      

Referee: Francis Rion (Belgium)

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!

The 1970 CCFC Players Team Photo 2010

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

Roy & Dinko exchange pennants 2010

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 Roy (CCFC captain of the time) 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.

CCFC 1970-71 Sky Blues Into Europe

The next time City qualified for Europe was in 1986-87 after winning the F.A.Cup final. Sadly the Heysel tragedy saw English clubs banned from the Cup Winners Cup so City have had to wait even longer for their next chance……

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

 

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