A word to the Wise

During their football careers Dennis Wise and Kevin Thornton made front and back page headlines. Wise dominated the news in 1995 with his infamous taxi incident while Thornton became renowned for his antics away from the Ricoh Arena which overshadowed his performances in sky blue. Wise responded by becoming Chelsea’s sixth highest appearance maker of all time and captained the Kings Road side to FA, League and Cup Winners Cup glory. Thornton at just 25 is currently without a club following his departure from Nuneaton Town last November.

Wise became City’s oldest outfield player at the age of 39 when he made his debut against Derby in January 2006. He scored in his first three league games and took the adoration of the City support. In his four month cameo he scored six times in 13 games as, along with Don Hutchison, they took City to an eighth place finish, their most successful season since relegation. One of his finest moments came at Hull’s KC Stadium when his overhead kick levelled matters before Stern John sealed the 2-1 win. Micky Adams released him in the summer along with Richard Shaw and City would miss both players more than they realised.

Kevin Thornton had the footballing world at his feet. Every time his name was read out over the PA system the City faithful roared their approval. Here was a man who made things happen and was not afraid to put his foot in. There was an edge to his game which he channelled on the pitch but his misdemeanours off the pitch ensured his selection was sporadic. Over four seasons he started just 19 games and appeared from the bench over 30 times. Of the two goals he scored for the Sky Blues his debut strike came at Hull in August 2006 finding the net with just five minutes remaining. Under Iain Dowie and Chris Coleman's stewardship Thornton spent further time in and out of the side before the club’s patience finally ran out. In the summer of 2009 he was released along with Michael Mifsud, both players having failed to realise their true potential at Coventry City.

The atmosphere once again at the Ricoh was terrific on Saturday. Throughout the campaign Andy Thorn and his players have received excellent backing home and away from the City faithful who have spent their hard earned monies travelling the length and breadth of the country. It will be a defining moment when City leapfrog Bristol City but for the West Country side it will be a crushing blow having evaded the relegation zone for many months. They face West Ham, Birmingham and Forest in the coming weeks with a final day trip to Burnley. Games never go to plan at this stage of the season and I wouldn't put it past us to sneak a late winner at Hull just as Kevin Thornton did five seasons ago. Maybe if someone had spoken a word to the wise, he would still be orchestrating matters in sky blue today.

Thanks for the memories Mick

The last time City played Portsmouth in a top flight fixture, April 1988, ‘Theme from S-Express’ topped the UK charts, Highfield Road resembled a beach and the match programme cost £1. After the Wembley triumph sportswear giants 'Hummel' introduced their sky blue and yellow replica kits as John Sillett began to shop in Harrods instead of Woolworths. With three games remaining the Sky Blues were ninth in Division One as ‘Pompey’ brought their dreadful salmon pink attire to Highfield Road sat in the relegation zone with Watford and Oxford United.

The programme displayed each player's kit sponsor in the days prior to energy drinks and healthy eating. Lloyd McGrath’s kit was sponsored by ‘Ansells’, Graham Rodger by ‘Park Lane’ nightclub (soon to be Mr G’s – I bet he didn’t have to queue up like the rest of us), Trevor Peake by ‘The Oak’ in Baginton and David Speedie by the ‘Shilton Arms’. In Geoff Allman’s ‘Man to Watch’ column the featured star played at Highfield Road for the first time as City supporters took the opportunity to see prolific lower league marksman Mick Quinn in action.

City's win consigned Alan Ball’s side to relegation. Brian Kilcline’s penalty took the points for Sillett’s men as Portsmouth's top flight tenure lasted just one season. Quinn later moved to Newcastle United before Bobby Gould signed him, initially on loan, in the winter of 1992. He scored in his first six league games to set a new top flight club record which stands to this day. Mick Quinn was hugely popular and always made time for the supporters during his spell at Coventry City. Having joined in November he netted 17 in 27 games as City finished the season in 15^th place. Highlights included the 5-1 win against Liverpool and a 5-2 triumph at Blackburn Rovers. On the opening day of 1993/94 Mick celebrated surely his finest hour with a hat-trick past David Seaman at Highbury.

It’s not too often we peg back deficits so to do this twice in one game down at Cardiff was some achievement. Two cracking goals, another missed penalty, the woodwork struck and a 94^th minute leveller had Sky Blues’ fans leaping off their respective seats whether at the game or following via CWR or on Gillette Soccer Special.  Every game is massive along with the games played by our rivals, Bristol City’s games are almost as important as ours. Living 30 minutes from their ground I know they are looking over their shoulders. By 5pm on Saturday we could be out of the relegation zone if Middlesbrough win as expected. The 9^th April at Ashton Gate could well be our biggest game since relegation and I know we can do it.

'What a marvellous day for Terry Gibson and for the supporters' - John Motson Dec 1983

In the summer of 1983 City spent £100,000 on a young reserve striker from Spurs. Bobby Gould’s astute signing top scored in each of his three seasons and collected Player of the Year in 1984/85. In just 113 appearances he netted 53 times scoring in seven successive games during his final season. Terry Gibson went on to play at Old Trafford and then re-united with Gould at Wimbledon. In 1988 he won an FA Cup winner’s medal in their victory over Liverpool just 12 months after our cup final success.

‘Gibbo’ was a different kind of striker to his predecessors Mark Hateley and Garry Thompson. Little known prior to signing it took him just over an hour to open his City account in the 3-2 win at Watford on the opening day. The Highfield Road faithful were impressed with their initial sighting of Gibson against Everton before he scored three days later in a 2-1 win over Brian Kilcline’s Notts County. With a fine turn of speed his finishing ability brought him a goal every two games in the top division including another winner at Watford a year later. City always looked likely to score with Gibson leading the attack and it was a major loss when he joined up with ‘Big Ron’ at Manchester United.

City supporters’ abiding memory of Terry Gibson is the stunning hat-trick against Liverpool at Highfield Road in December 1983 (see clip below: its a brilliant nine minutes but the best part for me is the fourth goal and what follows at 6:35 mins - cue John Motson). For modern day comparison it rivals Manchester United or Manchester City as Liverpool were the team to beat throughout the ‘80’s. They ended 1983/84 as Champions and beat City 5-0 in the return fixture when Ian Rush scored four times. A fortnight later Joe Fagan's men defeated Roma on penalties to win the European Cup, 1-1 after extra-time, their goal came from former City manager Phil Neal.

Terry Gibson's finest moment at City

Bristol City’s squad is riddled with injuries and nerves, they are looking over their shoulders with an inexperienced manager at the helm. With the Sky Blue Army due to arrive on Easter Monday that fixture could well decide the final relegation place. If we can turn up at Watford we have every chance. On Christmas Day we had 13 points but we've gone against tradition and improved our form in the second half of the season.Gibson’s supply line 28 years ago, Dave Bennett, will be in the commentary box for Mercia watching every minute of City’s battle for survival. With 17 winless away journeys to date let’s hope the drive/train home from Vicarage Road for ‘Benno’ and all the City supporters follows jubilant scenes in the away end as we celebrate an away win at long last.

From Pele to Highfield Road

Nowadays we rarely sign a player for a transfer fee, we’re lucky if we sign one on loan. In the summer of 1978 the wallet was visible for all to see as City conducted negotiations with New York Cosmos, the iconic North American Soccer League side. Pele and Franz Beckenbauer were team-mates of the man whose left-foot was one of the best seen at Highfield Road. Not only did he make two debuts for City, he scored on both occasions, took one of the most blatant red cards ever seen at the stadium and was sent off upon his return with the Albion. Born in Birmingham, his six seasons with City were eventful to say the least and that man was Steve Hunt.

In the summer of 1978 Gordon Milne signed Hunt for £40,000 from the Cosmos. He was that good the USA side took him back on loan in the close season of 1982. It took him 55 minutes to score on his first debut at Derby and just 50 in the 4-2 win against Everton in 1982. A fiery competitor, it was Hunt who hauled the inconsolable Garry Thompson to his feet in the League Cup semi-final with West Ham having put through his own goal. Clenching his fist to the West Terrace to galvanise support, City came from two down to win 3-2 that night (see clip below). You couldn’t put a price on a player of Hunt’s calibre and spirit in current times. The last time we overcame a two goal deficit was 1995.

1981 League Cup semi-final

There was a competitive edge to Hunt’s game as Southampton’s vocal midfielder Steve Williams found to his cost. Williams incurred Hunt’s wrath as they clashed in front of the Main Stand in 1983 and left the field on a stretcher after the City man floored him with a head-butt. Hardly renowned for his heading ability there was no waiting from Hunt, who walked off to a hefty fine and two-match ban. His temper re-surfaced upon his return in 1985 as he saw red following a clash with FA Cup winner Dave Bennett.

Hunt left Coventry after 216 games and 34 goals, many of them spectacular long-range strikes. As you can see from the clip below (Hunt is Goal C - 1:05 mins onwards) he had invention and drive along with the ability to finish. After leaving City he gained two England caps, a reward for his creative talents on the left side. When the chips were down Steve Hunt got stuck in, rallied the troops and made things happen.

Steve Hunt's winner vs Birmingham in 1980

English lesson as City turn on the style

Roxy Music’s ‘Jealous Guy’ topped the UK music charts in March 1981. The following Saturday envious glances were cast from Leicester as Coventry’s Tommy English netted the Sky Blues’ only top flight hat-trick against the Filbert Street side. In a resounding 4-1 victory, the City team, with the exception of Gerry Daly and Gary Gillespie, all graduated through the club’s youth system. Les Sealey, Danny Thomas, Brian Roberts, Andy Blair, Paul Dyson, Peter Bodak, Garry Thompson, English, Gary Bannister and substitute Steve Whitton joined the club from school. Waiting in the wings were Steve Jacobs, David Barnes and Ray Gooding, all part of the same youth squad.

English, at just 17, scored on his home debut against Bristol City in August 1979. A graduate of the youth team with Mark Hateley and Garry Thompson, many of his 22 goals were scored against the leading sides away from home. The City Ground, Baseball Ground, White Hart Lane, Portman Road, Hawthorns and Old Trafford all displayed the front man on their revolutionary electronic scoreboards. At the start of the eighties Forest were European Cup winners, Ipswich UEFA Cup winners and Spurs FA Cup holders. With our current struggles away from home how we could benefit from his eye for goal.

The emergence of Steve Whitton and arrival of Dave Sexton as manager signalled the end of his Sky Blues’ career after 76 first-team appearances. England Under-21 coach Sexton preferred Hateley and Thompson as his strikers, both of whom he had selected for the national side. After three years alongside Gary Lineker and Alan Smith at Leicester he moved on to Plymouth, Rochdale and Colchester. By the time of our FA Cup triumph Hateley lined up for Arsene Wenger’s Monaco, Thompson had just been relegated with Villa and English had moved into non-league football at the age of 26.

Three points for a win was introduced at the beginning of season 1981/82. Topping the charts when he left City were ‘Musical Youth’ with their ‘Pass the Dutchie’ classic. By the summer of 1983 only Steve Jacobs and Brian Roberts remained from the ‘City Youth’ who took to the field on that March day in 1981. Tommy English had done all his work at Highfield Road prior to his 21^st birthday.  His final goal for Coventry sealed his hat-trick as it flashed past Leicester ‘keeper Mark Wallington. After witnessing that performance City supporters and the man himself would have expected many more.