On this day (22nd October) in 1971Crystal Palace came to Coventry to take on Noel Cantwell’s Sky Blues in a Division One game at Highfield Road in front of 20,811 fans. The outcome, all square at one goal each, was probably a fair result in this rare Friday night fixture. Future Sky Blue midfielder (now sadly passed away) John Craven was in the Palace side that day.
Noel Cantwell- CCFC Manager
The Glazier’s deserved to take away their point as City were sorely missing the injured ‘Ernie’ Hunt and were often chasing the game. The Palace scored early when Bobby Tambling opened the scoring (on seven minutes) punishing an uncleared Bobby Kellard corner. The London team had two former Celtic stars making their debut, John Hughes (and his substitute Willie Wallace) both of whom also went close.
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Ian in the Sky Blue
It was the Sky Blues forward and ex Liverpool star, Ian St John who saved the day for the home team with a 68th minute strike from close range.
Apart from Ian, Brian Alderson and centre forward Chris Chilton (all three sadly since passed away), all the members of the Sky Blues team that day later went on to join this Association, They were:-
Bill Glazier, Mick Coop, Roy Barry, Wilf Smith, Jeff Blockley, Bobby Parker, Quintin Young (sub. Brian Alderson), Willie Carr, Chris Chilton, Dennis Mortimer and Ian St John.
Ian & Bobby Parker in Sky Blue action
The Glaziers put out the following side:-
John Jackson, David Payne, Tony Taylor, Mel Blyth, John McCormick, Alan Pickney, Bobby Tambling, Sammy Goodwin, John Craven, Bobby Kellard and John Hughes (sub. Willie Wallace) Referee:- Derek Nippard
Bob Dennison (CCFC Caretaker)
The two sides fought out another draw, this time two apiece, in the February return in South London with the home side having to come back twice after goals from Willie Carr and Chris Chilton.
Bob Dennison took over when Noel Cantwell was sacked in March 1972 and the Sky Blues survived the 1971-72 season in eighteen position with Crystal Palace having an even closer shave ending in twentieth spot four points behind just above the drop zone!
CCFC 1971-72
The relegated duo this season were Nottingham Forest and, at the bottom, Huddersfield Town. At the other end of the table Derby County carried off the Division One title in a tight race just a point ahead of the next three clubs, Leeds United, Liverpool and Manchester City.
Thanks to CCFPA’s Mike Young (& Dean Nelson) for sourcing the images.
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