Matchday Memories: On This Day 1989 – See Forest Stalemate Finish Snoz’s Successful Sky Blue Season

On this day (15th May) in 1989 the Sky Blues under former full back John Sillett had reached the end of their highly successful Division One season. Two days previously they had drawn 1-1 with the old enemy Aston Villa at Villa Park and today they faced East Midlands rivals Nottingham Forest in the final game of the season at Highfield Road. Forest had put City out of the Third Round of the Littlewoods Cup by the odd goal in five in Nottingham in early November. The two sides had also played a goal-less draw at the City Ground back in the league later the same month. The result on this day was another draw, this time by two goals each.

Howard Clarke in the Sky Blue

This game was open and lively with a late flurry of goals in the last eighteen minutes. City were first to score and it came from a debut goal from young substitute Howard Clark after 72 minutes, scored from a tight angle.

Cyrille in the Sky Blue

The Forest grabbed a deflected long range equaliser from Neil Webb (who was moving to Old Trafford in the close season) seven minutes later, only for big Cyrille Regis to restore the Sky Blues lead on 82 minutes with header from a David Speedie cross. Two minutes before the end who else but Nigel Clough (son of the Forest’s ‘gaffer) nabbed the final equaliser after a Neil Webb shot rebounded to him off the post.

Thanks to our former committee member Dean Nelson you can watch the goal highlights by clicking on the image below:-

Sky Blue ‘gaffer’ John Sillett

John Sillett‘s* Sky Blues that day lined up as follows:-

Steve Ogrizovic, Brian Borrows, Tony Dobson, Dean Emerson, Brian Kilcline, Trevor Peake (sub. Greg Downs), David Phillips (sub. Howard Clark), David Speedie, Cyrille Regis*, Steve Livingstone and David Smith.

Stuart in the Sky Blue

We are pleased that all members of CCFC’s management and team that day later went on to join Coventry City Former Players Association! Sadly we have since had to mourn (*) two Sky Blue legends, the boss ‘Snoz’ and ‘striker ‘Big Cyrille’

Brian Clough‘s Forest team that day comprised:-

Steve Sutton, Brian Laws, Stuart Pearce, Des Walker, Terry Wilson, Brian Rice, Franz Carr, Neil Webb, Nigel Clough, Lee Chapman and Garry Parker      Referee:- T.Holbrook

In Forest’s side, of course, was future England full back Stuart Pearce who had started out his top flight career with the Sky Blues (and is now an Association member).

CCFC 1988-89

The Sky Blues finished the season in a very creditable seventh spot that season but Forest were third behind Champions Arsenal and runners up Liverpool (both on 76 points). 

Middlesbrough, West Ham United and bottom club Newcastle United were the relegated trio.

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

Blast From The Past: On This Day 1987 -See Pre-Match ‘Midlands Today’ Before Sky Blues Wembley Debut

On this day (15th May) in 1987 Sky Blue fans were on excited tenterhooks on the eve of CCFC’s first ever F.A.Cup Wembley Final. On the morrow the Sky Blues did the City of Coventry proud with an extra time victory over Tottenham Hotspur bringing the cup back to Cov. You have already had a chance to relive the anniversary of the game by watching the Wembley win a day early on this site.

 

However, thanks to former Association committee member Dean Nelson you can now also relive the tension and anticipation in the locality by watching again the sports item on that evening of 15th May 1987, fully 38 years ago, taken from BBC ‘Midlands Today’  FA Cup Final preview with commentary from the late Steve Lee.

Jim Holton in the Sky Blue

Steve covered the earlier 4-3 League victory of the Sky Blues over the ‘Spurs the previous December at Highfield Road and his remarks were somewhat prescient in the light of the eventual outcome! Apart from that game there are highlights of the Sky Blues earlier games in their run to Wembley and interviews with Neville Foulger of the Coventry Telegraph and former Sky Blue defender, the late, great Jim Holton (by then a Coventry publican).

Oggy in the Sky Blue red

Also included in the interviews in the nearly ten minute piece are Sky Blues defender (and CCFPA member) Trevor Peake (below) and our goalkeeping legend (and CCFPA member) Steve Ogrizovic is quizzed by former ‘gaffer’ and then media pundit the great Jimmy Hill! The deeply missed Sky Blue managerial duo, both former players and CCFPA members), of George Curtis and John Sillett also put in an appearance!

To enjoy the item just click on the link or image below:-

https://youtu.be/zUGVP0MrM08

Blast From The Past: On This Day 1987 – See City Prepare For Final At Compleat Angler!

The Compleat Angler

In the early evening, on this day, 15th May in 1987, prior to their upcoming F.A.Cup Final contest against Tottenham Hotspur the following afternoon, the Sky Blues had arrived at and were settling into their pre-match Hotel, Thameside in Marlow.

The media had joined them and Central News actually broadcast from The Compleat Angler Hotel that evening. The inimitable Jimmy Greaves and former Sky Blue Ian St John, the popular ‘Saint & Greavsie’ TV sporting double act (now both sadly passed away), were there together with ITV’s Gary Newbon and Bob Hall. The CCFC Party did a press call and the Sky Blues players (all now CCFPA members) were interviewed along with their ‘gaffer John Sillett (also sadly passed away since) on the eve of their wonderful cup final performance.

CCFC team at Compleat Angler May 1987

 

Watch chats with the likes of Steve Ogrizovic (then newly a father and now a grandad!), Micky Gynn and the late Cyrille Regis (both having just signed new contracts), Nick Pickering, Greg Downs and our very own CCFPA committee member Dave Bennett! Also look out for other squad members including captain Brian ‘Killer’ Kilcline and an apparently nervous CCFC Chairman John Poynton.

 

The morale in the squad before the game was clearly ‘Sky High’ and it would go through the roof after their 3-2 extra time victory over ‘Spurs the following afternoon!

John & George appear relaxed before the main event

There is also footage of other encounters between the two clubs and the Sky Blues road to the final as well as training ground insights. To see the video again, thanks to former CCFPA committee member Dean Nelson, just click on the link or image below:-

https://youtu.be/yxodeBqpYEg

The players take an eve of game photo-call fully kitted up

Magnificent Matchday Memories Of 1987 – See Tomorrow’s Sky Blues Wembley Win In Full Today!!

On this day (15th May) in 1987 the Sky Blues were looking forward to what would become their best day ever – a date with Tottenham Hotspur at the twin towers of Wembley Stadium on tomorrow’s date. We have plenty of content on this site tomorrow about the Sky Blues first ever Wembley appearance and their magnificent extra time defeat of the star studded ‘Spurs side.

To whet your appetite we thought we would offer you an early chance to relive the club’s first Wembley win (of course there have been two subsequent ones – though not in the F.A.Cup)!

Below is a Youtube version of the video of the whole 120 minutes (including extra time) of the match in glorious totality. Commentary is by John Motson, the deeply missed fairly recently passed away BBC football commentator. Fill your boots:-

https://youtu.be/BSIZsxTa334

Enjoy!!