Phil Neal, CCFC’s gaffer
On this day (May 2nd) in 1994 former Liverpool star Phil Neal had taken over the Highfield Road managerial hot seat from ‘Cov. Kid’ Bobby Gould who had dramatically resigned the previous October. There were only three matches left to play in Premier League season and the Sky Blues were coming off the encouragement of two wins and two draws in their last four games. Today’s opponents at Highfield Road were second placed Blackburn Rovers and a hard struggle was expected. We had lost 2-1 in Lancashire back in November with Peter Ndlovu getting the Sky Blues goal in between an Alan Shearer brace.
Julian Darby in the Sky Blue
A crowd of 16,646 had turned up at Coventry’s home along with Sky TV cameras to witness the game. They saw Rovers’ title hopes effectively extinguished by the Sky Blues in a gripping game with the Sky Blues hero on the day being Julian Darby who notched a deserved double, both well taken goals, one in each half. Julian’s first goal came after only eleven minutes but it was 1-1 at half-time due to an equaliser from Graeme Le Saux just before the half hour.
Peter Ndlovu
The Sky Blues’ Zimbabwean winger Peter Ndlovu also starred against the Rovers this time out as he had in the first game. Nuddy’s pace and skill particulalry gave their defender Andy Morrison such a torrid time that he was substituted. Later ‘Nuddy’ became the Association’s 300th member!
Rovers’ large away following took the reverse well and applauded City’s performance. Julian’s winner came after 55 minutes. the victory kept the Sky Blues mid table.
Phil’s team on this day was (CCFPA members underlined):-
Steve Ogrizovic, Brian Borrows, Steve Morgan, Julian Darby, Phil Babb, Peter Atherton, Willie Boland, David Rennie, Peter Ndlovu, Sean Flynnand Leigh Jenkinson
Tim Sherwood in the Sky Blue
Kenny Dalglish‘s Blackburn Boys turned out as follows:-
Tim Flowers, David May, Alan Wright, Andy Morrison (sub. Nicky Marker -75), Colin Hendry, Henning Berg, Mark Atkins (sub. Lee Makel -69), Tim Sherwood (c), Alan Shearer, Jason Wilcox and Graeme Le Saux Referee:- Philip Don
There were several Sky Blue connections with the Blackburn Rovers squad this season. In the team today was Kenilworth born ‘keeper Tim Flowers who had a loan spell at CCFC in 2002 and their captain Tim Sherwood played for the Sky Blues in 2004-05. Colin Hendry also played in the Sky Blue central defence in 2000-01. On the Rovers books this season, but not in this team, was excellent ex Sky Blue forward (1990-93) and now CCFPA member Kevin Gallacher and another Association member Tony Dobson had left the Rovers for Pompey in September 1993.
The Sky Blues rounded off the season in style by beating Chelsea 2-1 at Stamford Bridge and drawing 0-0 with Premier League champions Manchester United at Old Trafford.
CCFC 1993-94
Neal’s men finished 1993-94 in a comfortable eleventh spot and Rovers were Premier League runners up a full eight points behind the Red Devils! Sheffield Wednesday (twentieth), Oldham Athletic (21st) and bottom club Swindon Town were all relegated.
Thanks to CCFPA’s Mike Young for sourcing the images.
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