"Whelan, Whelan..."

The pre-season months of 2000 and 2011 saw little recruitment by Gordon Strachan and Andy Thorn. Nine months later both campaigns culminated in relegation. Lessons were not heeded from our top flight capitulation when four key players departed Highfield Road for pastures new - Gary McAllister, Robbie Keane, David Burrows and Noel Whelan. Fast forward to last summer when Marlon King, Keiren Westwood and Aron Gunnarsson were offered better contracts elsewhere and left the Ricoh. Both summers saw limited activity as David Thompson and Craig Bellamy arrived during Bryan Richardson’s spending boom while two out-of-contract goalkeepers arrived last July as the cash pot dried up completely.

The first game of 2000/01 set the tone for the year ahead. Middlesbrough and the returning Noel Whelan swept City aside 3-1 as ‘Thommo’ saw red and the defence parted at regular intervals. ‘Big Ron’ signed Whelan for £2 million in December 1995 from boyhood club Leeds United. His first two home games brought wonder strikes against Everton and Southampton as 39 goals followed in 156 appearances during his five years in sky blue. Equally at home wide left or partnering Dion Dublin prior to Huckerby’s arrival, Whelan had the ability to change matches with excellent close control and an eye for the unexpected.

His final career appearance at Highfield Road was for Derby in 2004 following spells at ‘Boro and Millwall. Following a running battle with Calum Davenport, Whelan was replaced on the hour to strains of ‘Whelan, Whelan..’ which were applauded by the player as he jogged off the pitch. Last month, with the Sky Blues 45 minutes away from relegation to League One, Whelan appeared on the pitch during ‘Legends Day’. As he made his way over to ‘Singers Corner’ the entire area stood to applaud, memories of his time at City very much at the forefront of the supporters’ appreciation, in the days when we had cult heroes. (forward clip to 1:25 - 2:10 mins)

Five of Noel Whelan's finest Coventry goals



Pre-season there is expectation for who will be joining the ranks but only if you’re not under a transfer embargo. Players supposedly lined up will only wait so long before they look elsewhere. Off-field matters need addressing, Mr Fisher needs to cut the spin otherwise we’ll struggle to fill the substitutes bench come August. The likes of Noel Whelan, Darren Huckerby and Dion Dublin must shake their heads in disbelief at the situation the club finds itself in at present. All three scored in the famous 3-2 win against Manchester United in December 1997. In three weeks time we’ll find out the fixtures for next season, 15 years on the sky blue army could be eating their turkey sandwiches at Shrewsbury or Crawley. Coventry supporters deserve better than the off-field shambles currently prevailing - sort it out City and quick.

"...Walking in an Ndlovu wonderland..."

The summer of 1997 bid farewell to one of the most unique talents seen in recent years at Highfield Road. After 197 appearances and 41 goals over six seasons, City's 24 year-old Zimbabwean international, equally at home on the wing or up front, journeyed up the A45 to join Birmingham City. Not many players score a league hat-trick at Anfield or weave through the Villa defence to slam home an unstoppable shot on their full home debut but Peter Ndlovu did just that.

A regular under Bobby Gould, Phil Neal and ‘Big Ron’ the ‘Bulawayo Bullet’ eventually fell out of favour with Atkinson and Gordon Strachan but not before he had entertained the terraces with his dancing feet and electric pace. On his fifth appearance he scored the winner at Highbury, three weeks later at Highfield Road one of his best ever strikes sank the Villa 1-0 before The Hawthorns witnessed him in his prime in the FA Cup: (forward to 1:45 mins)

Peter Ndlovu at his very best

On a scorching day at Selhurst Park (Wimbledon) in 1996 two goals from 'Nuddy' helped maintain City’s top flight status, a year after his treble against David James in front of the Kop. He may well have peaked that March 1995 night as knee injuries soon began to reduce his match time and hamper the pace which made him such a threat to opposition defences. Gordon Strachan explained the decision to sell Ndlovu in Rick Gekoski's 'Staying Up' written during season 1997/98. He thought Ndlovu needed a new challenge and had gone backwards at City, a fact demonstrated by just ten league starts in his final campaign. Birmingham, then in the second tier, signed him on a pay-as-you-play deal for four seasons before he moved to Sheffield United where he played until the summer of 2004.

City's first season post-Premiership saw the return of Ndlovu to Highfield Road. Midway through the second-half Blades' boss Neil Warnock substituted him which necessitated a jog from the Sky Blue Stand over to the dugouts. Sky Blues' supporters accompanied this with strains of "Walking along, singing a song, walking in an Ndlovu wonderland", a warm tribute acknowledged by the player who lit up Highfield Road and provided some great moments. City supporters always deliver when a former favourite returns, 4-0 down at home to Watford and John Eustace still received warm applause as he was replaced, as has Dele Adebola on his frequent returns. Since 2001 the majority have been sold rather than submitted transfer requests so the goodwill is there. Craig Bellamy will remain our record signing for many years to come, there was such hope when he arrived, 12 months later few tears were shed upon his departure.

The twilight year - Don Hutchison's time at City

It’s no coincidence that Coventry City's most successful season post-Premiership saw the introduction of experienced heads to complement the younger players. Micky Adams' 2005/06 side comprised Richard Shaw, Dennis Wise and Don Hutchison alongside the likes of Gary McSheffrey, Andy Whing and Kevin Thornton in a campaign that provided rare cheer during a decade of frustration, false promises, mismanagement and flattened expectations.

After a slow start to the season, Hutchison signed in November on loan from Millwall prior to Wise's January arrival. It was clear from day one that 'Hutch' still possessed the ability to dictate the tempo of matches. During his Liverpool days there was extravagance and pace, now he kept it simple and was hugely effective in his cameo role. The phrase 'let the ball do the work' summed up his contribution as he made 15 starts and appeared 25 times from the bench during his playing year at the Ricoh. A little nutmeg here, a slide rule pass there, he made the game look easy, drawing on his top flight days with the Reds, Sunderland, West Ham and Everton. A professional in the twilight of his career he led by example and drew regular applause from the City faithful.

Hutchison can lay claim to scoring the most spectacular goal during our second tier stay. Boxing Day 2005, in front of 25,000 at Elland Road, saw Neil Sullivan clutching thin air as Don's swerving, dipping Papiss Cisse style half-volley crashed into the top corner of the net from distance. It's a strike you never tire of watching and summed up his quality while at City.

A bit of class from 'Hutch'

Sadly, an injury picked up in November 2006 sidelined him and he would never appear in sky blue again, released in the summer of 2007 by Iain Dowie. The value of Hutchison, Wise and Shaw cannot be underestimated, they were never replaced and we failed to build on falling just shy of the play-offs. It was clear last season that experience was sadly lacking, two or three wise heads will be key to our hopes of a successful campaign in the third division, we cannot rely solely on youth again.

League One countdown – 95 days to go
Fixtures release - 34 days to go
Transfer activity - we're still not allowed to make any

'What a proud moment for this Midlands club. The Sky Blues are sky high.' John Motson,Wembley Stadium, May 16th 1987

Signed for £60,000 from Notts County in the summer of 1984, City’s FA Cup-winning captain, who turned 50 this week, made his debut with ‘Oggy’at Villa Park in a 1-0 defeat. After 213 appearances and 35 goals (18 penalties), Brian ‘Killer’ Kilcline was moved aside by the wise judgement of Terry Butcher, who made similar astute calls on Cyrille and Trevor Peake, as season 1991/92 commenced. Before he transferred to Oldham for £400,000 his parting gift to the West Terrace saw a trademark penalty and long range free-kick smashed past Palace’s Nigel Martyn in a 3-1 win. Richard Shaw, Andy Thorn and John Salako witnessed Kilcline’s last contribution at Highfield Road, a ground to which he would never return as a player.

His legendary penalty taking went largely under the radar having taken over duties from Stuart Pearce. In 1988/89 Neville Southall, Hans Segers, John Lukic and Norwich stand-in ‘keeper Mark Bowen cottoned on to the big man’s style and thwarted him, all at Highfield Road. Such is the character of the man he still scored four spot-kicks, even taking a second against Lukic to seal a win over Arsenal with minutes remaining. Kilcline’s misses only cost City one point yet compare this to Clingan, Juskiewicz and McSheffrey’s clangers as seven valuable points were thrown away. Throughout last season to give us any hope of survival chances had to be taken and these misses cost us dearly.

It wasn’t all glory for John Sillett’s men. In May 1985 City needed to win their last three games to survive. A Pearce penalty sank Stoke prior to Luton’s visit, as the clock reached 84 minutes City had to score, remain goal-less and they were down. As the ball broke to ‘Killer’ ten yards from goal the crowd held its collective breath before erupting as the ball flew into the corner of Les Sealey’s net. Adidas Gazelle’s, bleached jeans and wedged haircuts went ballistic behind the goal and would do so again three days later as City beat Everton 4-1 to survive.

City 0 Luton 0 with six minutes to go (forward to 1:30 mins)

Following his move to Oldham, 'Killer' headed north to lead Kevin Keegan's revolution at Newcastle before joining the battle for Premier League survival at Swindon Town during their one top flight season. He moved on to Mansfield, Halifax and Altrincham before retiring from the game in 1999. The memory of his time at City can be captured in one fabulous moment, what a player, what a leader, Brian Kilcline take a bow.

When 'Killer' went up to lift the FA Cup

League One countdown -  102 days to go - no sooner has the dust settled and Sammy Clingan has decided he can earn more elsewhere. Currently injured, prospective suitors will be eyeing his inability to complete a full season and his tendency to jump ship, just the three times, following relegation. Conor Thomas has the ability to pick a pass and is well capable of anchoring our midfield in his place. There is such a gulf between the two Sky Blues' captains featured in today's piece. One would have stayed to return the club to the second tier, the other should have stayed but has chosen to walk away.

Season 1988/89 - Part 2 of 3 - David Speedie

With no top six finish since 1969/70, season 1988/89 was a dream campaign for City followers. John Sillett's men were in third position on no fewer than eight occasions and following the 3-0 win over Charlton in game three were never lower than ninth. Their eventual seventh place can be attributed to a terrific team ethic but the club's Player of The Year, leading scorer and double hat-trick hero scored vital goals in key matches as City attacked down the flanks and entertained throughout. His name was David Speedie.

Signed from Chelsea after the cup triumph, Speedie scored on both his first and last league appearances at Highfield Road. Initially signed as a strike partner for Big Cyrille, 'Speedo' replaced cup specialist Keith Houchen in City's line-up until the return to Coventry of Gary Bannister. While Lloyd McGrath tackled everything alongside him in central midfield, Speedie timed his runs into opposition penalty areas to perfection. Two headed hat-tricks at Highfield Road displayed his prowess in the air. The 4-3 defeat to Middlesbrough (see clip) was one of the best games seen at City in the 1980's while five days prior to the Sutton debacle he took home the match ball with similar devastating finishing in the 5-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday.

City 3 'Boro 4 - a classic


Following the demise at Gander Green Lane, home of Sutton United, Speedie then produced a delicious chipped winner at Norwich before repeating the trick in front of the West Terrace (see clip) with a wonderful lob over Hans Segers. City supporting Southampton 'keeper Tim Flowers also succumbed to his magic later on in the season as the Sky Blues recovered well from the cup defeat.

Speedie's chip vs Wimbledon


Kenny Dalglish signed him for Liverpool at the start of 1991, his final contribution the winning goal against Villa in a 2-1 win. Speedie's spell at City took in 141 games and 34 goals yet he never returned to play at Highfield Road following his departure. A competitive streak dovetailed with his amazing heading ability endeared him to Coventry supporters who appreciated his efforts in sky blue. There was never a dull moment during his time at City, as the clips have shown, there was only one David Speedie.

City now become the 11th side who played in the inaugrual Premier League season to be plying their trade in the old Division Three. Man City, Forest, Leeds, Southampton, Wimbledon, Sheffield United/Wednesday, QPR, Norwich and Oldham have all experienced what City will face in four months time. With the exception of Oldham and Wimbledon they have all returned to the second tier or better. Coventry City must vastly improve their communication and invest carefully in the playing squad before we can attempt to rival the recent success of Southampton and Norwich. The long-suffering supporters are craving just a glint of glory, we've done our bit, now's the time for the club to step forward on and off the pitch to bring that top six finish that most of us have never experienced.