Sky Blue Manager- John Sillett
On this day (21st February) in 1989 the Sky Blues boss, former player John Sillett (whom the Sky Blue family lost all too recently), selected his side to take on future Champions Arsenal in a Division One game at Highfield Road in front of 21,390 fans. A fair proportion of the Sky Blues 1987 F.A.Cup winning side were still at City. The Gunners had beaten the Sky Blues 2-0 at Highbury at the end of October so revenge would be sweet. Thanks to a penalty from Sky Blues giant centre-half and captain Brian Kilcline eight minutes from time, awarded for Steve Bould‘s handball, the Sky Blues gratefully took the win and the points.
Brian in the Sky Blue 1987
The Gunners’ ‘gaffer’ George Graham admitted that the sparkling City display showed them to be one of the best sides Arsenal had faced as the Sky Blues inflicted the Gunners’ first league defeat since November.
‘Killer’ might have enjoyed an even better day had he converted another penalty awarded City after only ninety seconds for a Nigel Winterburn foul in the box to stop David Speedie. Future Sky Blue Kevin Richardson was in the defeated Arsenal side that day.
Sillett’s Sky Blues lined up:-
Steve Ogrizovic, Brian Borrows, Tony Dobson, Steve Sedgley, Brian Kilcline, Trevor Peake, Dean Emerson, David Speedie, the late Cyrille Regis, Dave Bennett and David Smith
We are pleased to say ‘Sills’ and the whole of this team later went on to join CCFPA.
Graham’s Arsenal combo lined up as follows:-
John Lukic, David O’Leary, Nigel Winterburn, Michael Thomas, Steve Bould, Tony Adams, David Rocastle, Kevin Richardson, Alan Smith, Paul Merson and Brian Marwood (sub. Martin Hayes) Referee:- H.Taylor
CCFC 1988-89
The Sky Blues had one of their best ever seasons in 1988-89 finishing seventh in the Premier League on 55 points, a full 21 points behind the Champions Arsenal (who finished on the same points as runners up Liverpool)!
Middlesbrough, West Ham United and bottom club Newcastle United took the drop.
Thanks to CCFPA’s Mike Young for sourcing the images.
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