Gordon the Gaffer
On this day (17th January) in 1998 the Sky Blues under (later CCFPA member) Gordon Strachan were in the lower reaches of the Premier League looking for points against high flying Arsenal (managed by Arsene Wenger). City had lost 2-0 at Highbury in the second match of the season thanks to an Ian Wright brace. They had also been knocked out of the League (Coca Cola) Cup by the Gunners at Highbury in the 4th Round thanks to another Denis Bergkamp effort the previous November!
They eventually earned themselves a hard won point in a 2-2 draw in front of a Highfield Road crowd of 22,777 in an incident packed game.
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Noel Whelan in the Sky Blue
They had to produce one of their best first halves of the season to get anywhere with the Gunners and grabbed their opener after 21 minutes from Noel Whelan.
Paul D Williams in the Sky Blue
They could and should have been home and dry by the break but sadly things turned awry in the second 45 minutes.Paul Williams had a bit of a ‘mare’, first producing a weak back-pass five minutes in allowing Dennis Bergkamp to net a 50th minute equaliser.
ImageLater (in the 79th minute) the Dutchman ‘dived’ in the box after a challenge from Paul who was promptly red carded by referee Steve Lodge!
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After 57 minutes CCFC’s misery was compounded as Nicolas Anelka put the Gunners into the lead. However, justice was done after 65 minutes after Patrick Viera handled in the box and was the first man to be sent off.
The game therefore finished all square with ten men each on the field and both teams scoring an equaliser as Sky Blue icon Dion Dublin put the resultant penalty kick away. Honours even!
The two teams were as per the 11v11 graphic below :-
Dion in the Sky Blue
We are pleased to say that in CCFC’s team (on the left) that day Magnus, David, Roland, both Pauls, Trond, Dion, Darren and Noel later became Association members!
In the end the Sky Blues season was not without merit as they reached the Quarter Finals of the F.A.Cup going out on penalties to Sheffield United in the replay at Bramall Lane.
Thanks to former CCFPA committee member Dean Nelson you can watch match highlights by clicking on the link or image below:-
https://youtube.com/watch?v=4FiZC9fYRg0
The Sky Blues finished the 1997-98 season just below half way in 11th place as the Gunners took the Premier League Championship a point clear of Manchester United. At the bottom Bolton Wanderers, Barnsley and bottom club Crystal Palace all fell through the top flight trap-door!
CCFC 1997-98
Thanks to CCFPA’s Mike Young (& Dean Nelson) for sourcing the images
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