On this day (10th December) thirty seven years ago in 1988, in a particularly good Sky Blues season, under former Sky Blue player John Sillett, still in the top division**,** Cyrille Regis scored the only goal of the game. Football in general and the Sky Blue family in particular have sadly lost both men, both CCFC 1987 F.A.Cup victors (as player and manager) two years previously, Sills quite recently. We are proud to say both later became CCFPA members. The victims on this day, in front of 19,948 fans at Highfield Road were Sir Alex Ferguson‘s Manchester United who had future Sky Blue player and ‘gaffer’, and CCFPA member, Gordon Strachan in their side and current Sky Blue ‘gaffer’ Mark Robins in their squad.
Cyrille in the Sky Blue
David Speedie was skippering the Sky Blues on this day instead of Brian Kilcline (as a consequence of ‘Killer’s drink driving charge). Both are now Association members!
United had managed to draw nine out of their fifteen league games so far, so for a long time this also looked a likely outcome in this tie. Most of the game between two top ten sides was pretty uninspiring but Big Cyrille’s 81st minute goal from a clever Speedie cross provided, not only some highlight for the game, but also City’s first home win over the United since 1982!
After the game the 1987 F.A.Cup winners learnt they had drawn Sutton United away in this year’s Third round (the less said about that result the better)!
Thanks to former CCFPA committee member Dean Nelson‘s ‘Cov On The Box’ website you can relive Cyrille’s goal below:-
Sillett’s Sky Blues that day lined up:-
Sky Blue Speedie
John Sillett- Sky Blue ‘gaffer’
Steve Ogrizovic, Brian Borrows, Greg Downs, Steve Sedgley, Brian Kilcline, Trevor Peake, David Phillips, David Speedie (c), the late Cyrille Regis, Keith Houchen and David Smith
We are delighted that every single member of the team (and management) that day went on to join Coventry City Former Players’ Association
Sir Alex Ferguson put out the following Red Devils team:-
Jim Leighton, Billy Garton (sub. Tony Gill-46, Ralph Milne-75), Eric Martin, Steve Bruce, Clayton Blackmore, Mal Donaghy, Bryan Robson, Gordon Strachan, Brian McClair, Mark Hughes and Lee Sharpe Referee:- P.Foakes
Sky Blue Gary Bannister
The Sky Blues were delighted to do the double over Manchester United this season, getting a lone goal win over the Red Devils at Old Trafford three matches before season’s end thanks to a 72nd minute Gary Bannister strike. Despite the Sky Blues humiliating F.A.Cup exit to those pesky non-leaguers, a seventh place finish in the (Barclays) League Division One was a wonderful end to the season given the number of times CCFC had needed to save itself from relegation on the last day. United had a poor season for them finishing eleventh.
CCFC 1988-89
For the record, in an exceptionally close race for the title, Arsenal pipped Liverpool with a better goal average and the same points.
At the other end the three relegated clubs were (in descending order) Middlesbrough, West Ham United and (bottom) Newcastle United.
Thanks to CCFPA’s Mike Young for sourcing the images.
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