Blast From The Past: On This Day 1973; Mick Mortifies McMenemy’s Mariners

On this day (3rd February) in 1973 the 1973 Coventry City conquered Grimsby Town in the 4th Round of the FA Cup in a close game by the only goal scored. The Sky Blues had disposed of Leyton Orient in January at Brisbane Road to the tune of 4-1 with a Brian Alderson brace sandwiching solos from Willie Carr and Tom Hutchison. Today the task proved tougher!

Mick takes the penalty (and scores)

Highfield Road was full to the rafters as Grimsby brought with them 10,000 fans which were packed into the Kop. Grimsby managed by a young Laurie McMenamey took the fight to the Sky Blues with some pretty serious tackles and some Mariners players (notably Hickman) were lucky to stay on the pitch. In a very physical game it was not until  the 86th minute that Mick McGuire was fouled inside the box according to referee Alf Hart.

Mick Coop celebrates the goal with Colin Stein

Up stepped Mick Coop to emphatically score his first goal for the club with only minutes to play. Grimsby fans were troublesome as they saw a replay snatched away.

So City were through to the next round where they faced Hull City at Highfield Road and eased through 3-0 later in the month with goals from Alderson and Stein 2. In the March Quarter Final at Molineux Wolves put paid to the Sky Blues’ F.A.Cup ambitions with a 2-0 victory.

The Sky Blues that faced Grimsby that day was (CCFPA members underlined):- 

Bill Glazier; Mick Coop, Alan Dugdale, Wilf Smith, Roy Barry, Bobby Parker, Dennis Mortimer, the late Brian Alderson* (sub Alan Green), Colin Stein, Mick McGuire and Tom Hutchison