‘Killer’ in the Sky Blue
On this day (26th August) in 1989 the Sky Blues remained in London for their third Division One fixture of the season. Having beaten Everton 2-0 at Highfield Road on the opening day of the season, Arsenal had lowered their colours three days later by 2-0 at Highbury with the previous season’s League Champions parading their trophy before the game. Today, more modest opponents, newly promoted Crystal Palace were to be the Sky Blues opponents.
John Sillett CCFC gaffer
A crowd of 11,022 fans was at Selhurst Park in the rain and the newly promoted Palace struggled to find a way through the experienced defence of former Sky Blue player turned ‘gaffer’ (the late) John Sillett. The ‘Glaziers’ (aka the ‘Eagles’) successful striking duo from last season, Ian Wright and Mark Bright, were allowed not a single scoring chance.
On the other hand, the Sky Blues also struggled to get the ball into the Palace net. It took a 24th minute free kick from the Sky Blues giant centre half Brian Kilcline to settle matters.
His direct free kick was hit with sufficient power to skid past Palace’s then shot-stopper, former Sky Blue (and CCFPA member) Perry Suckling. The single goal win encouraged a 2-1 home victory over Manchester City four days later.
Killer’s goal can be seen by clicking the image below from former CCFPA committee member Dean Nelson‘s collection of CCFC videos:-
The Sky Blues team that August day was :-
Steve Ogrizovic, Brian Borrows, Tony Dobson, Dean Emerson, Brian Kilcline, Trevor Peake, Micky Gynn, David Speedie, the late Cyrille Regis, Gary Bannister and David Smith
All (apart from Gary) later went on to become CCFPA members, we are pleased to say!
CCFC 1989-90
Crystal Palace fielded this team:-
Perry in the Sky Blue
Perry Suckling, John Pemberton, David Burke, Andy Gray, Jeff Hopkins, Gary O’Reilly, Andy McGoldrick, Geoff Thomas, Mark Bright, Ian Wright and Alex Dyer. Referee:- B.Hill
Though none, apart from (now CCFPA member) Perry, played for the Eagles/Glaziers in this particular game their squad had plenty of other Sky Blue connections. Future Sky Blue ‘gaffer’ Andy Thorn (2011-12) was at the the Palace at this time along with fellow current CCFPA members John Salako (1995-98), Richard Shaw (1995-2006) and Garry Thompson (1977-83)! All later became Association members!
Sky Blue Speedie
The Sky Blues did the double over the Palace this season, beating them again by the same score in mid January thanks to a late goal from David Speedie five minutes from time! Both clubs did enough to keep themselves away from trouble. The Sky Blues ended the season in twelfth spot with the Eagles three places but just a point behind. They, in turn, were five points clear of the drop zone which contained Sheffield Wednesday, Charlton Athletic and Millwall who became the Division One victims of 1989-90.
Liverpool were Champions nine points clear of the Villa.
Thanks to CCFPA’s Mike Young for sourcing the images.
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