On this day (March 17th) in 1982 City manager Dave Sexton, previously ‘gaffer’ at Manchester United, took the Sky Blues to Old Trafford to try their luck on his first visit back. The Sky Blues youngsters did him proud as the defence stifled the Red Devils’ attack (which included the likes of Steve Coppell and Gary Birtles) including their new £1.5m signing Bryan Robson.
Our well drilled defensive display restricted the United attack to long range stuff which CCFC goalie Les Sealey was able to deal with effectively. Future Sky Blues ‘gaffer’ ‘Big’ Ron Atkinson (now a CCFPA member) was the Old Trafford supremo at this time.
Steve Whitton in the Sky Blue
The only goal of the game came six minutes before half-time from the raw talent of winger Steve Whitton. In front of 34,499 fans the 1-0 victory gave Sexton and his Sky Blues the club’s first win in thirteen games and a rare double over the United as City had beaten them by the same score at Highfield Road on the first day of this season. Gaining no points from the Sky Blues in 1981-82 was costly to their Championship pretensions. The referee was Mr. G.Tyson.
Dave Sexton, CCFC’s gaffer
Sexton’s youthful Sky Blues took to the field as follows (CCFPA members underlined):-
The late Les Sealey, Danny Thomas,Brian Roberts, Steve Jacobs, Paul Dyson, Gary Gillespie, Steve Whitton, Gerry Francis, Mark Hateley, Tom English and Ian Butterworth
The Red Devils side can be seen in the graphic above sourced by former CCFPA committee member Dean Nelson.
In the event United’s Championship push faltered and they finished third behind Ipswich Town and top dogs and north western rivals Liverpool.
The Sky Blues were content with fourteenth position in Division One eight points clear of any trouble. Leeds United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and bottom club Middlesbrough were the relegated trio.
CCFC 1981-82
Thanks to CCFPA’s Mike Young for sourcing the images.
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