Phil Neal, CCFC’s gaffer
On this day (3rd December) in 1994 the Sky Blues were managed by former Liverpool player Phil Neal and doing reasonably well in their Premier League campaign. Today’s visitors to Highfield Road were Phil’s former club Liverpool and 21,032 fans turned up to see what happened. With both Roy Wegerle and and Dion Dublin out injured Phil had to field a rather makeshift attack against the ‘Mighty Reds’ but his team selection eventually paid off as the final result was draw, a goal apiece.
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Sean shows his excitement on scoring
Things started out badly as ace Reds’ striker Ian Rush grabbed a goal with only two minutes on the clock! The visitors threatened to submerge the Sky Blues with constant attacks as the first half wore on but City’s defence with Steve Morgan, Dave Busst (now City’s Head of Community) and future Sky Blue ‘gaffer’ Steven Pressley all offering stout resistance. Former Sky Blue Phil Babb returned to Highfield Road for the first time since his Anfield move and received a muted reception!
Neal’s half-time talk certainly seemed to make a difference and the Sky Blues replacement forward (and now CCFPA member) Sean Flynn earned his corn with a headed equaliser two minutes before the hour mark. In fact, the City revival continues and they might have won the game had they converted some of the chances they made.
Sean Flynn in the Sky Blue
The Sky Blues lined up that day:-
Steve Ogrizovic, Brian Borrows, Steve Morgan, Julian Darby, Dave Busst (sub. Nick Pickering), Steven Pressley, Cobi Jones, Paul Cook, Sean Flynn, Peter Ndlovu and Leigh Jenkinson
We are pleased to say that all members of this team (apart from Cobi) later went on to join CCFPA!
Roy Evans‘ Reds put out the following side:-
David James, Stig Inge Bjornebye (sub. Mark Walters), Steve Harkness, John Scales, Neil Ruddock, Phil Babb, Steve McManaman, Jamie Redknapp, Ian Rush, Robbie Fowler and Michael Thomas Referee:- Keith Burge
CCFC 1994-95
In the league return in mid March the Sky Blues won a famous victory against Liverpool at Anfield winning by the odd goal in five to take all the points. It was a red letter day for (now CCFPA’s 300th member) Peter Ndlovu who scored an impressive treble that day which stunned the Kop!
At the end of the season the Sky Blues finished in sixteenth spot in the Premiership with the Reds on fourth behind Nottingham Forest, Manchester United and champions Blackburn Rovers.
City’s close midland rivals Aston Villa teetered on the relegation trap door in eighteenth place this season but the clubs to drop through were Crystal Palace, Norwich City, Leicester City and (bottom) Ipswich Town.
Thanks to CCFPA’s Mike Young for sourcing the images.