ImageOn this day (30th August) in 1989 City’s full back turned ‘gaffer’ John Sillett welcomed the ‘other’ light blues from the City of Manchester to Highfield Road in a Division One fixture, their fourth of the campaign. They had beaten Everton 2-0 at Highfield Road at the season’s opener, lost 2-0 at Arsenal and then beaten Crystal Palace 1-0 in London four days ago.
The Sky Blues were therefore hoping to build on their 100% home record against today’s visitors, Mel Machin‘s youthful Manchester City side. The Light Blues were newly promoted and also looking to make their mark. The Sky Blues eventually prevailed by the odd goal in three in their fourth game of the season (and second at home). They continued their good Highfield Road form and thereby got their third win of the season.
David in the Sky Blue
Micky in the Sky Blue
CCFPA member and F.A.Cup winning hero Michael Gynn had missed most of the previous season due to injury but looked back to his best. Micky got the Sky Blues vital second half equaliser ten minutes after the break after the visitor’s David White had opened their account after 19 minutes of the second half.
In some respects the Mancunians were unlucky to lose as the Sky Blues tricky winger (and CCFPA member) David Smith took the points with a 90th minute winner. The club’s late great Cyrille Regis had a big hand (actually head) in making both goals!
Courtesy of CCFPA’s former committee member Dean Nelson you can watch the highlights by clicking on the image below.
John Sillett- Sky Blue ‘gaffer’
The victory took the Sky Blues to the top of the table in the top division for the first time in their history and City’s title odds were halved (but only to 100-1!)
Sillett’s City Slickers that day were:-
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.
Sadly ‘Snoz’ died four years ago and is deeply mourned by the Sky Blue family. All of these Sky Blues, apart from Gary, later went on to become CCFPA members!
CCFC 1989-90
The Manchester City team turned out as follows:-
Paul Cooper, Gary Fleming, Andy Hinchcliffe, Ian Bishop, Brian Gayle, Steve Redmond, David White, Trevor Morley, Clive Allen, Neil McNab and Ian Brightwell Referee: R.NIxon
Ian Brightwell in the Sky Blue
Long time Man.City servant Ian Brightwell transferred to the Sky Blues for the 1998-99 season but only pulled on the CCFC first team shirt once (for a League Cup tie)!
The Sky Blues finished the 1989-90 season in a comfortable twelfth place two places and a point above their opponents on this day. The Mancunians got their revenge in the return at Maine Road in January in a narrow 1-0 victory with an 83rd minute decider, again from David White!
Liverpool took the title easily (by nine points) from CCFC’s near neighbours Aston Villa. The relegated trio were Sheffield Wednesday, Charlton Athletic and (bottom) Millwall.
Thanks to CCFPA’s Mike Young for sourcing the images
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