Sky Blue Manager Gordon
On this day (4th November) in 1972, with Gordon Milne at the helm, the Sky Blues travelled down to north London to take on the Arsenal. The Gunners were unbeaten at home so far this season, so it required a brilliant performance from CCFC to take the record and the points away from Highbury watched by 33,699 fans, including Scottish boss Tommy Docherty who must have been mightily impressed by the five Scottish Sky Blues on display (Stein, Hutchison, Barry, Alderson and Carr) all but one of whom later joined CCFPA!
The Gunners featured former Sky Blue central defender (and now CCFPA member) Jeff Blockley. The two sides had fought out a 1-1 draw at Highfield Road back in August with a Bobby Graham 26th minute goal cancelled out by an effort from Pat Rice seven minutes from half time.
The City’s 2-0 win today at Highbury was achieved through a goal in each half. After only ten minutes the Sky Blues’ Brian Alderson met a Colin Stein cross with a perfect back post header.
Brian Alderson in the Sky Blue
Tommy Hutch in Sky Blue action
The piece-de-la-resistance in the second half was a cameo mazy dribble and finish from Sky Blue legend Tommy Hutchison. Tommy, in only his fourth League game for the Sky Blues, left four Gooners floundering in his wake in the 75th minute to supply the coup-de-grace and send the travelling Sky Blues supporters home delirious.
You can watch some match highlights by clicking on the link below:-
https://www.britishpathe.com/video/VLVA3O2V2ULH3LKC78QGRTYIUEC9O-UK-ARSENAL-DROPS-TO-3RD-PLACE-AFTER-2-0-LOSS-TO-COVENTRY-CITY-IN/query/coventry+arsenal
Milne’s men that day comprised :-
Bobby Graham in action
Jeff in Sky Blue action
Bill Glazier, Mick Coop, Chris Cattlin, Wilf Smith, Roy Barry, Bobby Parker, Dennis Mortimer, Brian Alderson*, Colin Stein, Willie Carr and Tommy Hutchison.
*Apart from the late Brian Alderson who passed away at the tragically early age of 46 in 1997 every member of that team, as did the gaffer, later went on to join this Association
Bertie Mee’s Gunners’ XI comprised:-
Geoff Barnett, Pat Rice, Bob McNab, Peter Storey, Frank McLintock, Jeff Blockley, Peter Marinello, Alan Ball, John Radford, Charlie George, Eddie Kelly (sub. George Graham) Referee: R.Lee
CCFC 1972-73
By the end of the 1982-83 season Arsenal had finished in runners up spot to Liverpool in Division One whilst Gordon Milne‘s Sky Blues were in nineteenth position only two places (but five points) above the relegated Crystal Palace and seven above bottom club West Bromwich Albion.
Thanks to CCFPA’s Mike Young (& Dean Nelson) for sourcing the images.
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