Members News: Sky Blues Sixties Winger ‘Crosses’ 84: ‘Happy Birthday’, Bobby!
Bobby Laverick in the Sky Blue 1962
CCFPA would like to send ‘Birthday Greetings’ to its member, former Sky Blue left winger ‘Bobby’ Laverick who will be celebrating his 84th birthday today. Born in Castle Eden, County Durham on 11 June 1938 Bobby had a relatively short Football League career which finished at the senior level at Highfield Road. His career total of 26 goals from 96 League appearances from 1956-63 is pretty brief but he was associated with some top clubs, namely Chelsea (1955), Everton (Feb.1959), Brighton (1960) and, of course, Coventry City FC (July 1962-1963).
His footballing career began as a Chelsea youngster but, whilst at Stamford Bridge, his progress was halted by two years National Service in the R.A.M.C. so he failed to break into the Pensioners’ first team. Moving to Everton he once more failed to establish himself as a first-team player joining Brighton in 1960. There he was joint-top scorer in 1961-62 with ten goals in all competitions.
JH’s New Forward Line 1962: Jim Whitehouse, Willie,Hugh Barr, Terry Bly & Bobby Laverick
Bobby’s time with CCFC was also fairly brief. Jimmy Hill brought him to Highfield Road as part of a new-look Sky Blue forward line in JH’s first full season as ‘gaffer’. He made his debut at outside left on 18th August 1962 in a 2-0 home win over Notts. County. However, his form did not keep pace with the rest of the quintet and either experienced Roy Dwight or (now fellow CCFPA member) young Ronnie Rees was preferred in the left wing slot. Bobby ended up with four first team league outings plus a League Cup tie where he got his only Sky Blue goal in a 5-1 defeat at Portsmouth.
He then moved into non league football with a variety of clubs including locally with Nuneaton Borough, then Corby Town (1963), Kings Lynn (Sept. 1964), South Shields, Ramsgate, Tunbridge Wells and Ashford Town. He was the Kent club’s leading scorer in 1969-70. He finished up his time in football as player-manager of Snowdown Colliery Welfare in Kent.
He eventually settled in Ashford, Kent and is long retired after working as a salesman for the Smiths Crisps for eighteen years and then at a local buildersĀ merchants.
Happy Birthday Bobby. Hope to see you sometime back in Coventry!
