Dave Sexton, CCFC’s gaffer
On this day (13th April) in 1982, the Sky Blues ‘gaffer’ Dave Sexton chose a youthful team to take on Everton in a midweek Division One game at Highfield Road. His team were bouncing along in the bottom half of the league and were building confidence after coming away from West Bromwich Albion‘s Hawthorns with a 2-1 win over the Baggies the previous Saturday.
Bugsy in the Sky Blue
Their winning ways continued against the Toffees as they secured a 1-0 win which did not reflect their superiority in the game. Note that the Toffeemen had a young Brian Borrows (who is now a CCFPA member) in the side to face City. Brian moved to Bolton Wanderers in 1983 and thence to a great twelve year spell and 489 appearances from 1985 with the Sky Blues (including that 1987 F.A.Cup winners medal)!
Martin in the Sky Blue
A crowd of 11,838 had turned up to watch this day’s clash against a side trying hard to get into the top ten of top flight football and European qualification. What they saw was a ‘dream debut’ goal from the Sky Blue young former apprentice midfielder Martin Singleton who struck a superb 36th minute effort past Everton‘s ‘keeper Neville Southall from a lay-off from (now CCFPA member) Garry Thompson.
Despite a commanding display the Sky Blues let many chances go begging. Even (long-time CCFC club host now) Brian ‘Harry’ Roberts, still then searching for his first goal after seven seasons and 130 odd appearances, went close!
The single goal lead survived a nail-biting endgame with Everton rallying and future Sky Blue assistant (and caretaker) manager Adrian Heath going very close to getting an undeserved late equaliser! The Sky Blues win gave them revenge for their narrow 3-2 defeat at the hands of the Toffees at Goodison at the end of the previous December.
The Toffees team is detailed in the graphic above. Sexton’s Sky Blues that day lined up as follows (CCFPA members underlined):-
The late Les Sealey, Ian Butterworth, Brian Roberts, Steve Jacobs, Paul Dyson, Gary Gillespie, Steve Whitton, Martin Singleton (sub. Peter Hormantschuk), Mark Hateley, Garry Thompson and Steve Hunt. The referee was Mr D.Reeves
Good to see Ian (making his LD debut), Brian, ‘Chukkie’ and Garry enjoying themselves at our Legends Day 2025 reunion! Brian, Paul, ‘Chukkie’ and Garry were at the CBS just a couple of weeks ago for LD26!
Whilst it was honours even in the League games in 1981-82 with a win apiece, the two sides also met twice in the League Cup this season. Everton had the last laugh in October because, after a goalless draw at Highfield Road in the second round first leg, the Toffees went through with a 1-0 victory at Goodison in the second leg later in the month.
CCFC 1981-82
Coventry City ended up, in a decent enough season, in fourteenth position in Division One whilst the Toffees had to be content with finishing eighth.
Their city rivals Liverpool took the title by four points from Ipswich Town whilst the relegated trio were Leeds United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and (bottom) Middlesbrough.
Thanks to CCFPA’s Mike Young for sourcing the images (& Dean Nelson for the graphic).
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