Ray ‘Toffee’ Straw
‘Digger’ Daley
On this day (March 12th), pre Jimmy Hill‘s Sky Blues, well over sixty years ago in 1960 Coventry City under former player Billy Frith (for the second time) were doing pretty well in the old Division Three days.
They had only lost at home twice all season so far and were looking for revenge against Southampton who had smashed them 5-1 at the Dell back in October with CCFC’s consolation goal coming from the delightfully nicknamed Alan ‘Digger’ Daley (who was before his death an Association member).
Despite the Saints scoring first, their Derek Reeves netting after 23 minutes, Frith’s men did their duty and sent home happy the vast majority of a 17,842 Highfield Road crowd.
Peter Hill
The 4-1 ‘Bantams’ win came courtesy of an own goal from the Saints’ Dick Conner after 41 minutes and strikes from three different forwards, Welshman Ron Hewitt a minute before half-time and second half goals from Ray ‘Toffee’ Straw (73 minutes) and long time club servant (and former CCFPA member) Peter Hill ten minutes from time.
Billy Frith- Manager 1959
Billy Frith‘s men turned out that day as follows:-
Arthur Lightening, Don Bennett, Frank Austin, Brian Nicholas, George Curtis, Mick Kearns, Peter Hill, Ray Straw, Ken Satchwell, Ron Hewitt and Johnny Stephens
Ron Hewitt
Sadly there is now only one survivor from this side the rest having since passed away. As well as ‘Digger’ and Peter, Brian, Ken ‘Satch the Snatch’ and George all joined CCFPA before they died (Brian and the ‘Iron Man’ passed away most recently). Brian attended most City home games before COVID prevented it.
Mick Kearns in his Sky Blues days
We are pleased to say Mick, now the sole survivor of this team, is still going strong and was 86 yesterday! He is also a current CCFPA member.
George in 1958
‘Iron Man’ George Curtis, another loyal club servant who, along with Mick, rode Jimmy Hill‘s ‘Sky Blue Express’ all the way to the top division, was co-manager with CCFPA member John Sillett when the Sky Blues lifted the F.A.Cup in 1987. Sadly Sills also fairly recently passed away and both were prior to their deaths CCFC Life Presidents). LD22 was dedicated to their memory and LD25 early next month will see only a relatively short time before the erection of a joint statue in their memory at the CBS Arena.!
Southampton‘s XI lined up:-
Bob Charles, Ron Davies, David Scurr, Dick Conner, John Page, Cliff Huxford, Terry Paine, Tommy Mulgrew, Derek Reeves, George O’Brien and John Sydenham. Referee: J.Mitchell (Whiston)
The Saints’ David Scurr was making his debut after joining them from schools football in May 1957
CCFC 1959-60
Coventry City ended the 1959-60 season in fifth place in Division Three (on equal points but slightly inferior goal average to fourth placed Grimsby Town). The Saints went up as Champions nine points better off than City and a couple of points ahead of runners up Norwich City who were also promoted.
York City, Mansfield Town, Wrexham and bottom club Accrington Stanley were relegated to Division Four.
Thanks to CCFPA’s Mike Young for sourcing the images.
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