Chris Coleman 2008-09
On this day (22nd March) in 2008 struggling Sky Blues travelled down to the south coastto meet another club down in the doldrums, Southampton at St Mary’s stadium. Previous manager Iain Dowie had been given his marching orders in February and now Chris Coleman was in charge hoping to save the Sky Blues Championship bacon. CCFC had won only two of their last nine fixtures and were in the relegation zone and finding goals hard to come by. Today was no exception but, at least, they prevented a home team score and were reasonably satisfied with the point they got from the 0-0 draw. The draw paralleled the 1-1 stalemate between the two clubs at the Ricoh back in mid December when Dowie was ‘gaffer’.
Scott Dann
Danny in the Sky Blue
This was a hard earned draw against a well marshalled Nigel Pearson managed side and ended the terrible run of eight successive away defeats for the Sky Blues. Our defensive pair of Scott Dann and Danny Fox had just been called up for the England U21s and both had fine games. Kasper Schmeichel in between the City sticks made at least two crucial saves to keep City in it, though both sides had chances to win. Former CCFC players Moroccan midfielder Youssef Safri (now a CCFPA member) and Stern John (who might have scored against his old club) were in the Saints side fifteen years ago!
All the match details, courtesy the 11v11 website sourced by former CCFPA committee member Dean Nelson, are reproduced below:-
Image
Stern in the Sky Blue
Youssef Safri in the Sky Blue
Of the thirteen man Sky Blue squad at St Mary’s that day we are pleased to report that eleven Kasper, Elliott, Scott, Stephen, Isaac, Jay, Kevin, both Michaels, Leon and Robbie) later became Association members.
At the end of the season the Sky Blues perhaps luckily stayed up in 21st spot despite an ignominious 4-1 last day defeat at Charlton Athletic. The Saints were also safe a point and a place above us. Today’s defeat of relegation rivals Leicester City by Hull City was an important boost (as well as City’s point gained) as proved to be the Foxes who eventually proved to be the fall guys in 22nd spot (in a dramatic last day) only a point behind us and went down with both Scunthorpe United and Colchester United.
CCFC 2007-08
West Bromwich Albion took the title and were promoted with runners up Stoke City and (after the play-offs) third placed Hull City.
Thanks to CCFPA’s Mike Young (& Dean Nelson) for sourcing the images.