Manager Dave Sexton on the run
On this opening day of the Division One season (29th August) in 1981 the fixture computer gave the new Sky ‘gaffer’ Dave Sexton the opportunity to gain revenge over the club that had recently sacked him! The Sky Blues were down to take on the stars of Manchester United at a new look Highfield Road, the first all-seater stadium in the UK (an idea given impetus by Managing Director and former Sky Blue gaffer Jimmy Hill).
The occasion saw the Sky Blues give their new manager a tremendous fillip by squeezing past the Red Devils, winning by the odd goal in three.
There was a cracking crowd of 19,329 packed into the Stadium to watch the contest as David’s team took on the pride of Manchester, who happened to be managed by future Sky Blue supremo (and now CCFPA member) ‘Big Ron’ Atkinson.
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Sky Blue Steve
Big Ron’s big money side was debuting new £1m signing Frank Stapleton at No.9 but the much vaunted United defence was quickly caught napping in the eleventh minute from a Sky Blue goal scored by our strapping young No.10 Steve Whitton! After Steve’s strike Big Ron’s boys were left chasing the game a little but their nippy forward Lou Macari gave them hope with his own goal two minutes before the break.
Peter in the Sky Blue
Sky Blues forward Peter Bodak often bamboozled the United defence and scored the winner himself only three minutes into the second forty five. City then held out for an historic and important opening day win in their capacity all-seater Highfield Road thanks to some great saves from our Scottish international goalie Jim Blyth.
Sky Blue Jimmy Blyth
Sexton’s Sky Blue XI was as follows (CCFPA members underlined):-
Jim Blyth, Danny Thomas, Brian Roberts, Steve Jacobs, Paul Dyson, Gary Gillespie, Peter Bodak, Gerry Daly, Garry Thompson, Steve Whitton and Steve Hunt
Big Ron’s United line up was as follows:-
Gary Bailey, John Gidman, Arthur Albiston, Ray Wilkins, Gordon McQueen, Martin Buchan, Steve Coppell, Gary Birtles, Frank Stapleton, Lou Macari and Sammy McIlroy Referee:- Dermot Reeves
Not only did the youthful Sky Blues beat the team that finished third behind Ipswich Town and Champs Liverpool in this season’s opener but they also managed a double over the Red Devils!
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On 17th March, that man again, Steve Whitton netted against them again (six minutes before half-time) to give the visitors their first win in the last thirteen outings and definite bragging rights this season!
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ImageThe Sky Blues did the City proud this season with a fourteenth place finish a full eight points above the drop zone. Leeds United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and bottom club Middlesbrough were the relegated clubs.
CCFC 1981-82
Thanks to CCFPA’s Mike Young (& Dean Nelson) for sourcing the images
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