Hucks at the Double in the Ricoh
On this day (3rd January) in 1998 the Sky Blues had the daunting prospect of visiting Anfield for an FA Cup Third Round tie with Liverpool. They had lost there 1-0 in the League the previous month to a Michael Owen goal. Nearly 34,000 fans were at the Merseyside home of the Reds to watch the cup battle between the two Premier League clubs. City were managed by Gordon Strachan whose son Gavin Strachan also became a Sky Blue player (and like Gordon a CCFPA member) later on.
Dion in the Sky Blue
Only the Sky Blue super optimists amongst the crowd of 33,888 fans were expecting the outcome. In spite of Jamie Redknapp scoring for the ‘Pool early on from a free kick (in the 7th minute) Darren Huckerby equalised on the stroke of half time with a brilliant solo goal, finishing with a cool strike after a dazzling dribble. ‘Hucks’ had a foot in the other two goals too.
Over 4,000 City fans witnessed a splendid second half Sky Blue performance with goals from (now ‘Hucks’ fellow CCFPA members) Dion Dublin and Paul Telfer. Dion’s goal, scored after ‘keeper David James had saved Huck’s initial low shot, came just after the hour.
Paul in the Sky Blue
Paul also found the net three minutes from time putting in a rebound from Huck’s shot which hit the post to wrap up the tie.
The Sky Blues were in the Fourth Round hat where they got a home draw with Derby County which they later won 2-0. After beating old rivals Aston Villa 1-0 at their place, sadly we eventually went out on penalties to Sheffield United in the F.A.Cup Quarter Finals after 1-1 draws in both Coventry and Sheffield.
You can watch highlights from today’s game on YouTube below, courtesy our former CCFPA committee member Dean Nelson or by clicking on the image below or the link here.
Gordon Strachan‘s Sky Blues that January day in front of (and affronting the Kop) were:-
(NB current Association members are underlined)
Gordon the Gaffer
Magnus Hedman, Richard Shaw, Brian Borrows, George Boateng, Gary Breen, Paul Williams, Paul Telfer, Noel Whelan, Dion Dublin, Darren Huckerby and Marcus Hall.
*Unused subs:-*Trond-Egil Soltvedt, Willie Boland, Simon Haworth, Sam Shilton and Steve Ogrizovic (gk)
Roy Evans‘ star studded Reds team lined up:-
David James, Jason McAteer, Steve Harkness, Jamie Redknapp, Dominic Matteo, Bjorn Kvarme (sub. Danny Murphy -81), Steve McManaman, Paul Ince, Robbie Fowler, Karl-Heinz Riedle and Oyvind Leonhardsen (sub. Patrik Berger -62) Unused subs:- Phil Babb, Jamie Carragher and Brad Friedal (gk) Referee:- Mike Riley (Leeds).
Phil had been a notable member of the Sky Blue team in the two and a bit seasons in the early nineties prior to moving to Anfield.
CCFC 1997-98
At the end of their 1997-98 Premier League season the Sky Blues finished a credible and creditable eleventh whilst the Reds came in third having got a Highfield Road draw in April with Michael Owen scoring in the first half and Dion Dublin equalising from a penalty in the second.
Thanks to CCFPA’s Mike Young for sourcing the images.
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