JH, Sky Blue legend
Fresh from promotion to the top flight, on this day (2nd September) in 1967 the Sky Blues were playing their fifth Division One game ever and it was their first ever trip to Highbury to take on Arsenal. The shock resignation announcement by manager and Sky Blue icon, Jimmy Hill at the start of the season and the loss, in their second game at Nottingham Forest, of a legendary centre-half George Curtis to a broken leg had cast a bit of a cloud over the club.
JH was continuing in caretaker capacity until a new manager could be appointed and the Iron Man’s emergency replacement signing from Southampton, Tony Knapp was in the side, but City were still seeking their first top flight win. They were not to get it today but came close!
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Bobby in the Sky Blue
In fact it was the Sky Blues who took the lead just before the half hour. Future Sky Blue manager Bobby Gould latched onto a superb through ball from (later Bobby’s fellow CCFPA member) Ernie Machin to round Arsenal ‘keeper Jim Furnell to open the scoring in front of 30,404 fans.
Our flame haired eighteen year old forward Willie Carr certainly took the eye of the many scouts in the stand when he came on as substitute. The Gunners missed a few chances and City ‘keeper Bill Glazier proved he was back to his best before, in the 79th minute, a mix-up between him and (now fellow CCFPA member) Dave Clements allowed George Graham to take advantage and grab a point and a deserved equaliser for the Gunners.
Thanks to former CCFPA committee member Dean Nelson you can watch a fascinating piece of old Movietone news covering the game by clicking on the image below:-
The team selected by JH for the big game in London (CCFPA members underlined) was:-
Bill Glazier, Mick Kearns, Dietmar Bruck, Ron Farmer*, Tony Knapp*, David Clements, Brian Lewis* (sub. Willie Carr), Ernie Machin*, Bobby Gould, John Tudor* and Ronnie Rees * .
All bar Brian later went on to join this Association. Sadly, both Rons, Brian, Tony, Ernie and most recently John (*) have since passed away. Dietmar is a longstanding CCFPA committee member.
John Tudor heads one
Congrats as the Sky Blues leave the pitch
Manager Bertie Mee‘s chosen Gunners team that day was:-
Jim Furnell, Peter Storey, Bob McNab (sub. David Court), Frank McLintock, Terry Neill, Peter Simpson, George Johnston, Colin Addison, George Graham, Jon Sammels and George Armstrong Referee:- P.Walters
A bit later, on 12th September, the two sides met again in the Second Round of the League Cup, this time at Highfield Road, and the Gunners came out on top by the odd goal in three. Ernie Machin got a late City consolation after Jon Sammels and George Graham had grabbed two second half goals within ten minutes. The return League game at Highfield Road in January also turned out a 1-1 draw with a first half Bobby Gould opener being cancelled out by a second half goal, from that man again, George Graham – he must have loved facing CCFC this season!
CCFC 1967-68 at the start of the season with the D2 Championship trophy
Noel Cantwell eventually replaced JH as Sky Blue manager in October allowing Jimmy to take up his media career and the Sky Blues survived their inaugural Division One season in twentieth, one place and one point above the relegated clubs, Sheffield United and bottom club Fulham! The Arsenal finished ninth with the two Manchester clubs vying for top spot. Manchester United took the title by two points from City!
Thanks to CCFPA’s***Mike Young (& Dean Nelson)***for the images.
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