Sky Blue Manager Micky
On this day (18th March) in 2006 the Sky Blues, under the leadership of former Sky Blue player turned ‘gaffer’ Micky Adams, took on Leeds United and there were 26,643 at the Ricoh to watch. City had lost 3-1 at Elland Road on Boxing Day with (now CCFPA member) Don Hutchison grabbing an equaliser just before the hour after which the home side motored on. Therefore, revenge today would have been sweet but a 1-1 draw was all they could manage! We provide below a description of the game from a neutrals point of view who rated the ‘Cov Kid’ Sky Blue striker Gary McSheffrey ‘Man of the Match’.
Gary McSheffrey in Sky Blue action
It was ‘Sheffers’ who scored for the Sky Blues at 26 minutes, from a cross by his now fellow CCFPA member ‘Dele Adebola – Gary’s fiftieth goal for CCFC over his two spells.
United put on a stirring second half display peppering the Sky Blue goal with (the late) Márton Fülöp keeping his goal intact with some fine saves. However he was eventually beaten just three minutes from time from a penalty from substitute David Healy after (now CCFPA member) Andy Whing was, perhaps harshly, adjudged to have handled.
Micky (also now a CCFPA member) was incensed that the United’s manager Kevin Blackwell had unduly influenced the ref! The vast majority of SBA went home thinking their team had been robbed!
A contemporary match report (containing the comments of both Managers) from BBC Sport can be found here.
Micky’s men that day turned out as follows (CCFPA members underlined):-
Martin Fulop RIP
The lateMárton Fülöp, Andrew Whing, Marcus Hall, Don Hutchison, Robert Page, Richard Shaw, James Scowcroft, Michael Doyle (sub. Kevin Thornton -84), ‘Dele Adebola, Stern John and Gary McSheffrey (sub. Andrew Impey -79)
Unused subs: Adie Williams, Andy Morrell and Clayton Ince (gk)
Leeds United fielded the following side:-
Neil Sullivan, Gary Kelly, Stephen Crainey, Shaun Derry, Matthew Kilgallon, Paul Butler (c), Jonathan Douglas (sub. Ian Moore -74), Robbie Blake (sub. David Healy -61), Rob Hulse, Liam Miller and Eddie Lewis Unused subs: Gylfi Einarsson, Eirik Bakke and Ian Bennett (gk) Referee:- Clive Oliver (Northumberland)
The previous season United’s ‘keeper on the bench Ian Bennett had played a handful of first team games for the Sky Blues on loan from Birmingham City.
CCFC 2005-06
At the end of the season Leeds United got into the playoffs in fifth place but didn’t make it. The Sky Blues under Micky Adams had a relatively good season in the Championship finishing in eighth spot just outside the play off possibilities.
Reading went up as Champions accompanied by Sheffield United and play-off winners Watford. The relegated trio was Crewe Alexandra, Millwall and Brighton.
Thanks to CCFPA’s Mike Young (& Dean Nelson) for sourcing the images and match report respectively.
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