Members News: Our 60s Sky Blue Winger Is 87 Today. Have A ‘Very Happy Birthday’ Johnny!!
CCFPA would like to wish ‘Many Happy returns of the Day’ for his 87th birthday to one of our veteran members, former Sky Blue winger, one of JH’s ‘boys’, John(ny) Key!
Born in Kensington & Chelsea in London on Bonfire Night 1937 ‘Johnny’ was a loyal club servant, only appearing for three clubs in his thirteen year career, which was curtailed by injury in 1969. Once retired, John became a cab driver in London from March 1972 for over twenty years. He will always have a place in Sky Blues history by scoring our first ever top flight Highfield Road goal (below) on August 26th 1967 in a 2-2 draw against Sheffield United in Division One (after an away defeat and draw in the first two games of the season). CCFPA committee member and club legend Dietmar Bruck got the other one!
John was educated at Latymer Upper Grammar School and was something of an athlete as a young man, being a winner of the Southern AAA Long Jump Championship. As a boy he played football for Chelsea but joined Fulham juniors and started his professional career at Craven Cottage in May 1956. Before Jimmy Hill (who had played with John at Fulham) signed him up for the Sky Blues in May 1966 on a free (a nw signing along with (the late) Ian Gibson – above left). John had appeared 181 times for the Lilywhites scoring 37 goals.
John provided some ready experience to balance the relative youth of CCFC’s Division Two promotion side. He made his debut on the right wing on 20th August 1966 in a 1-0 defeat of Hull City at Highfield Road and weighed in with six goals in his 24 Sky Blues appearances in 1966-67.
John was much less of a fixture the following season, particularly after Noel Cantwell took over from JH. In fact, the Highfield Road goal against the Blades was his only contribution in seven appearances. Then he moved back to London with Leyton Orient in March 1968 (where he went on to make only a further dozen appearances before injury forced his retirement).
John came back to the City in 2007 (above right) with many other members of the Sky Blues 1967 squad whose achievements were being celebrated at the Ricoh by CCFC and CCFPA. He was presented with his official CCFPA tie in 2012 when our former committee member, the late Bob Bromage, travelled to John’s home to do the honours. He proudly showed his tie and 1966-67 Division One championship medal won with CCFC off earlier this year (2024) when he sent us a picture of himself (left) still looking hale and hearty.
We hope you have a great day today, John!!