CCFC gaffer- Andy Thorn,
On this Valentine’s day (February 14th) in 2012 came a rare home victory in the Sky Blues’ relegation season with Andy Thorn at that point in charge. We entered this Championship home game at the Ricoh against managerless Leeds United rock bottom of the division and eight points away from safety hoping for the best against a team just in the top ten. United’s caretaker boss Neil Redfearn was looking to his team to avoid a second straight defeat in four days but was disappointed. The two sides had drawn 1-1 at Elland Road in their first game in mid October.
Gary McSheffrey celebrates
In the end it took two Gary McSheffrey goals both coolly struck home from the spot to deliver the Sky Blues the three points and lift them out of the relegation zone. ‘Cov. Kid’ Sheffers’ first came after a 21st minute mesmerising run into the box by City striker Alex Nimely from deep riding several iffy challenges before the third brought him down in the box.
Alex Nimely in the Sky Blue
Ross McCormack struck the equaliser after 32 minutes after City’s defenders melted away. Gary’s second penalty came in stoppage time after the lively Nimely was tripped in the box. Cool as a cucumber considering the pressure his spot kick comfortably beat Andy Lonergan in the United goal, this time on the other side to his first effort. The 3,214 Leeds fans accompanied their team home despondent and the Sky Blues fans in the 15,704 crowd took home something positive to talk about for a change.
The BBC Sport contemporary match report including gaffer’s comments can be found by clicking here. Thanks to former CCFPA committee member Dean Nelson you can watch highlights of the game by clicking on the link or image below:-
https://youtu.be/bGA3kzF-HWw
For the record most match details can be seen in the graphic below. The referee was Pat Miller:-
The current CCFPA members in this CCFC matchday squad are: Cyrus Christie, Jordan Clarke, Richard Keogh, Martin Cranie, Carl Baker, Gary Deegan, Gary McSheffrey, Clive Platt (and on the bench) Jordan Willis, Gael Bigirimana, Josh Ruffels and Freddy Eastwood. United’s Danny Pugh later went on to play seven games for the Sky Blues in 2014-15.
CCFC 2011-12
In the end it all proved too much and the Sky Blues were relegated from the Championship in penultimate spot (23rd) eight points adrift of safety with fellow downward travellers Portsmouth just above them and Doncaster Rovers bottom four points behind them.
At the top champions Reading and, a point behind them, runners up Southampton went up with (after the play-offs) fourth placed West Ham United.
Thanks to CCFPA’s Mike Young for sourcing the images.
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