The Sky Blues used the following players in each half (current CCFPA members underlined):-
First Half: Marko Marosi, Fankaty Dabo, Morgan Williams, Kyle McFadzean, Brandon Mason, Tom Bayliss, Josh Eccles, Jordan Shipley, Gervane Kastaneer, Jordy Hiwula and Amadou Bakayoko.
Sky Blue Max in typical pose
Second Half: Ben Wilson, Josh Pask, Dom Hyam, Michael Rose, Brandon Mason (sub. Will Bapaga -70), Liam Kelly, Jamie Allen, Zain Westbrooke, Wesley Jobello, Conor Chaplin and Max Biamou.
Zain Westbrooke in Sky Blue action
Unused subs: Jordan Ponticelli, Jordon Thompson and Dexter Walters
Conor would move to Barnsley after this game and Tom to Preston North End before the season kicked off. Kyle, Ben, Josh, Liam, Will and Jamie were all signed to CCFC’s squad for the 2023-24 Championship campaign, their fourth consecutive season in the Championship. Josh and Jamie again fought for the Sky Blues in both 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons but Jamie has departed and the end of the Sky Blues promotion to the Premiership campaign leaving Josh as the sole survivor who will be playing at the top level in the upcoming 2026-27 season!
Keith Curle‘s Cobblers’ side comprised:
Jordan Turnbull in the Sky Blue
Steven Arnold, Jordan Turnbull (sub. Jay Williams -56), Joe Martin (sub. Ryan Hughes -74), Joe Bunney, Chris Lines (sub. Scott Pollock -60), Ryan Watson, Nicky Adams (sub. Morgan Roberts -54), Shaun McWilliams, Matt Warburton (sub. Sam Hoskins -46), Andy Williams (sub. Curtis Yebli (trialist) -46) and Harry Smith (sub. Vadaine Oliver -46). Referee: Salvador Abril Portillo (Spain)
Jordan was a former Sky Blue who played for us from 2016-18.
The rest of the pre-season was a mixed bag for Mark’s men next losing a behind closed doors friendly at Huddersfield Town, then a goalless draw (at Rugby Town‘s ground) with Liverpool U23s and finally a 2-0 win at Swindon Town.
CCFC 2019-20 League One Champs
Nevertheless the season turned out a triumph, despite the Birmingham exile and the season being curtailed by the COVID-19 lockdown in mid March. With ten games left to play the Sky Blues were unbeaten in the league since 14th December, five points clear at the top of League One with a game in hand over most rivals and were eventually confirmed Champions and promoted!
Thanks to CCFPA’s Mike Young (& Dean Nelson ) for sourcing the images.