Matchday Memories: On This Day 1931 – Bantams Finish Fulham Off To See Out Season!

Harry Storer

On this day (May 2nd) ninety three years ago in 1931 Coventry City were plying their trade in Division Three South under new manager Harry Storer who was in his first stint in the role for CCFC.  He had two spells, from 1931 right up to the outbreak of WW2 and also 1948-53. Harry had been appointed only on the 11th April to see out the season and this was the Bantams’ last game.

CCFC Manager- James McIntyre

The previous ‘gaffer’, former ‘Bantams’ player turned manager James McIntyre had had a rocky relationship with the CCFC Board particularly chairman Walter Brandish because this season had proved to be less successful than the last when City finished sixth. Brandish sacked McIntyre in mid February and ran team matters himself until Harry came on board and only one out of the subsequent four games was lost! On this last day of the season the visitors to Highfield Road were Fulham. Guess who was their manager? Correct, James McIntyre!

Jack ‘Curly’ Phillips

There was a very modest crowd of 5,959 in the ground to see if the ‘Bantams’ could finish off with a win over the team with whom they had fought out a goal-less draw at Craven Cottage in the second match of the season back on the previous September 1st.  The 2-1 win was duly achieved but not before the Londoners went ahead in only the second minute through their inside left Johnny Price.

George Reay

The Bantams did not equalise until the first minute of the second half when Jack ‘Curly’ Phillips slotted home. The winner came from George Reay later in the second half (after 65 minutes) to send the CCFC fans home reasonably happy. Storer had put one over McIntyre so the CCFC Boardroom were also happy!

McIntyre’s men that day comprised:-

Tommy ‘Shadow’ Allen; Arthur Plummer & Arthur Tilford; Jimmy Baker, Fred Simpson & Billy Bell; George Reay, John ‘Curly’ Phillips, Alf Widdowson, Billy Lake & Fred Lee

No, this was a different Billy Bell to the current CCFPA Vice Chairman!!

For the record McIntyre’s Fulham team was:-

Ernest Beecham; Samuel ‘Sonny’ Gibbon & Albert Barrett; Len Oliver, Syd Gibbons & Harold Webb; Jimmy Temple, Jerry Murphy, Ernie Watkins, Johnny Price & Francis Penn               Referee: E.C.Carnwell (Lichfield)

CCFC 1930-31

CCFC finished fourteenth and Fulham ninth in 1930-31. Their high scoring glory years in the Third Division were just round the corner. Notts County became Champions promoted to Division Two. New to the League Thames just survived in twentieth place whilst the two clubs needing to seek re-election to the Football League were 21st place Newport County and bottom club Norwich City. The English club got the votes to remain whilst the Welsh club didn’t and were replaced!

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