On this day (15th October) in 1977 the Sky Blues travelled to Filbert street to take on Leicester City in a Division One game in front of 20,205 fans. They were in reasonable confidence having won three of their first five home games and only lost at Liverpool and Manchester United away. Wins at Chelsea and Newcastle United earlier in the season meant Gordon Milne‘s Sky Blues were looking for an away win treble at their East Midlands rivals and that’s exactly what they got!
Mick in action
The Foxes, managed by Frank McLintock, had lost their last three at home and could not capitalise on the chances provided by a card happy referee. Clive ‘The Book’ Thomas awarded four penalties during the game and Sky Blue full back (and CCFPA member) Mick Coop scored both awarded to the Sky Blues in the tenth and 76th minute. Both penalties were awarded for handball by the Foxes’ central defender David Webb in the penalty area.
Jim Blyth
CCFPA member Jim Blyth was the Sky Blues hero in the twelfth minute saving Dennis Rofe‘s spot kick after ‘Big Jim’ Holton had shoved Keith Weller. However, Jim was beaten from the spot by Jon Sammels after 23 minutes converting after his shirt was pulled in the box.
Mick’s second penalty of the game in the second period secured the points and the 2-1 win confirmed sixth position in Division One for CCFC.
Sky Blue Manager Gordon
Milne’s men that day were:-
Jim Blyth, Graham Oakey, Bobby McDonald, Terry Yorath, Jim Holton, Mick Coop, Ray Graydon, Ian Wallace, Mick Ferguson, Barry Powell and Tommy Hutchison.
Jim Holton in the Sky Blue
We are proud to say that all of them, apart from the late Jim Holton (who passed away in 1993 at the tragically young age of 42), later signed up to join CCFPA!
Former Sky Blue Brian Alderson (who also died tragically early) was in the Foxes’ forward line that day and CCFPA member Jeff Blockley was at the club but didn’t play today.
McLintock’s men lined up as follows:-
Mark Wallington, Steve Whitworth, Dennis Rofe, Steve Kember, Tommy Williams, David Webb, Keith Weller, Kelly (sub. Jon Sammels), Geoff Salmons, Brian Alderson and George Armstrong Referee:- Clive Thomas.
The Sky Blues completed the double over the Foxes in March in the return at Highfield Road winiing by the narrow margin of 1-0 with a twentieth minute goal from Welsh winger Donato Nardiello.
CCFC 1977-78
City finished seventh at the end of the 1977-78 season whilst the Foxes finished rock bottom 26 points behind the Sky Blues and were relegated along with Newcastle United (on the same points) and West Ham United!
The Division One Champions for 1977-78 were Nottingham Forest who were seven points ahead of runners up Liverpool (with Everton third).