Blast from The Past: On This Day 1983 – CCFC Win F.A.Cup Battle Of Cathedral Cities

Dave Sexton- CCFC Manager

Nine season’s after the last match featured, on this day (8th January) in 1983, in another F.A.Cup third round tie, the Sky Blues, now under Dave Sexton, scraped home against non-league Worcester City 3- 1. This was the club’s first home Cup tie against non-leaguers since that ignominious Highfield Road defeat against King’s Lynn in November 1961 which preceded the Jimmy Hill era! In fact we also played the now Alliance Premier League side from Worcester in the F.A.Cup at their place in 1960-61 winning 4-1!

Sky Blue Steve

Again the Sky Blues made heavy weather of this potential banana skin and Worcester scored first after 18 minutes from a Moss penalty after the Sky Blues goalie, Les Sealey pushed their Jimmy Williams. The away team’s manager Nobby Clark must have sensed an upset was on the cards! However, on the half hour, the first of a brace from Steve Whitton (also from the penalty spot awarded for hands in the box from Malcolm Phelps) settled Sky Blue nerves.

Mark Hateley in action

A further goal from Mark Hateley six minutes later gave the Sky Blues a 2-1 half-time lead and some breathing space. Steve Whitton‘s second in the second half, five minutes before time, with a right foot volley ensured Sexton’s men would be in the hat for next round with a degree of comfort.

Sexton’s team that day lined up (CCFPA members underlined):-

The late Les Sealey, Danny Thomas, Peter Hormantschuk, Ian Butterworth, Paul Dyson, Gary Gillespie, Steve Whitton, Gerry Francis, Mark Hateley, Jim Melrose and Steve Hunt

In Round 4 CCFC bowed out to Norwich City 1-2 after extra time (with another Hateley strike) after an earlier 2-2 Highfield Road draw (now CCFPA members Brian Roberts and Garry Thompson were the marksmen)! In the League at the end of the 1982-83 season Manager Sexton was sacked as the Sky Blues just survive in the top division safe by only one point and one position (19th)!