CCFC’s Manager, Noel Cantwell
On this day (10th January) in 1970 the Sky Blues were in their third ever top flight season and managed once more by Noel Cantwell. Sandwiched between a couple of Third Round F.A. Cup ties against Liverpool today’s Division One game at Highfield Road was against another side from the north west, Manchester City. CCFC had revenge in mind as the Mancunians had trimmed our sails 3-1 at Maine Road towards the end of September last. Their ‘gaffer’ was future occupier of the Highfield Road hot seat Joe Mercer!
Roy in his Sky Blue heyday
It was just three days after the Sky Blues enthralling 1-1 draw with the Mighty Reds at Highfield Road, made necessary because the original tie was postponed due to snow. On the 12th Liverpool, sadly, were to put us out of the competition with a 3-0 win at Anfield.
However, in the League Cantwell’s CCFC were in a purple patch having successively won four on the trot 1-0 against Newcastle United, 3-2 versus Tottenham Hotspur (both at HR), 3-0 at Crystal Palace and 3-1 at home to Ipswich Town.
Cantwell’s City made it five out of five today with a 3-0 success which was one of their best results since promotion. There was a Highfield Road crowd of 30,343 packed in the ground to savour the victory. The result(s) proved that the Sky Blues form was more than a flash in the pan as three headed goals sank the F.A.Cup holders. The Sky Blues’ central defender Roy Barry was pivotal in keeping the feared Manchester City forward line in check.
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The Sky Blues were 2-0 up at half time thanks to goals from our rangy Scottish No.9 Neil Martin after 27 minutes converting a cross from ‘Ernie’ Hunt and another, made by Ernie Machin, from our experienced inside forward John O’Rourke four minutes from the break (the first of his brace).
Neil Martin in the Sky Blue
John O’Rourke in the Sky Blue
John finished off the Light Blues with his second, also assisted by Machin, six minutes into the second period and after that the Sky Blues were never in danger!
The Sky Blues lined up as follows – we are pleased to say that every one of them later went on to join this Association:-
Bill Glazier, Mick Coop, Chris Cattlin, Ernie Machin*, Roy Barry, Jeff Blockley, ‘Ernie’ Hunt*, Willie Carr, Neil Martin, John O’Rourke* and Dave Clements
Sadly, both Ernie’s and John have passed away in the last decade and are sorely missed!
Joe Mercer
Joe Mercer put out the following Manchester City side:-
Joe Corrigan, David Connor, Glyn Pardoe, Mike Doyle, Tommy Booth, Alan Oakes, Mike Summerbee, Colin Bell, Francis Lee, Stan Bowles and Ian Bowyer Referee:- B.Homewood
This season the Sky Blues produced still their best ever top flight finish, sixth position, albeit seventeen points behind eventual champions Everton, themselves nine points clear of runners up Leeds United.
CCFC 1969-70
City’s light blue opponents today finished tenth two positions below their Manchester rivals, United. At the bottom of the division the two relegated sides were Sunderland and, propping up the table, Sheffield Wednesday.
Thanks to CCFPA’s Mike Young (& Dean Nelson) for sourcing the images.
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