Kevin Gallacher - from Tannadice to the title via Highfield Road

Led by Joe Royle into the top flight in 1991, Oldham Athletic spent three seasons amongst the elite until their relegation in 1994. As a Division Two side they lost to Nottingham Forest in the Littlewoods Cup final of 1990, the season City fell at the semi-final hurdle to Brian Clough’s men. New City manager Mark Robins knocked the second tier ‘Latics’ out of the FA Cup semi-final in 1991 during his Manchester United days as the likes of Andy Ritchie, Mike Milligan, Paul Warhurst and Rick Holden thrived on their underdog tag in both league and cup. In August 1992 both Coventry City and Oldham Athletic were founder members of the Premier League, this Saturday they meet at Boundary Park, the Sky Blues on a mission for that elusive first league victory.

Sky Sports dispatched their myriad of cameras to City against Oldham in January 1993 for their Saturday teatime spectacular and were rewarded with three City goals in the opening 19 minutes.

Coventry City 3 Oldham Athletic 0 1992/93

Scoring his last goals for the club was Kevin Gallacher, signed from Dundee United for £900,000 early in 1990. In just over three seasons the Scotland striker appeared 117 times and scored 35 goals. Signed primarily as a winger he successfully converted his pace and ball skills to a central role partnering Big Cyrille and Robert Rosario before reverting to the wing upon the arrival of goal machine Mick Quinn.

 

High spots of Gallacher’s time at Highfield Road included a treble in the memorable 5-4 League Cup win against Forest, a fantastic strike at Carrow Road along with a fine finish in the 5-1 victory over Liverpool. Following his departure to Blackburn Rovers he went on to collect a Premier League title medal but took four years to return to Highfield Road due to various injuries, finally re-appearing in the goalless draw of 1996 to a warm reception. What Kevin Gallacher gave to City was electric pace, an eye for goal and boundless energy. Along with a goal every three games he gave 100% each time he took to the field - current side take note.  He took the Player of the Year award in 1991 and top scored in 1990/91 and 1991/92, a fine achievement in three seasons at the club.

Kevin Gallacher in sky blue (forward to 4:05 mins)

Sky Blues 5 Forest 4 Rumbelows Cup 1990/91

Mark Robins has wasted little time in tinkering with the debris found upon his arrival. Three midfielders and a left-back brought in so far point to a manager who has identified major chinks in the armoury although I think he should shop around for a centre-half or two judging by the uncertainty reigning in front of Joe Murphy at present. From what I’ve seen Robins isn’t going to take any messing, shape up or ship out is the message to the side after just 90 minutes of football. You could see his annoyance when interviewed by ‘Clem’ on the ‘Football League Show’ – ‘we just didn’t play’ – were his words. I have a hunch Robins will sort us out, I know it’s been said time and time again after a new manager walks through the revolving Ricoh door but there is something about his steely demeanour that makes me think his arrival could be a turning point for our great club.

 

Isaias - from Highbury masterclass to Highfield Road cameo

The summer of 1995 welcomed the first Brazilian to play in the Premier League. Prior to this in November 1991, Elton Welsby and the 'European Match Live' had screened Arsenal's European Cup second round, second leg tie against Benfica, a clash the Gunners were expected to win for progression to the group stage. Colin Pates opened the scoring but it was a mercurial, bearded midfielder who stepped up and inspired the Portuguese giants to a 3-1 victory with two fine goals and an assist in his finest moment in football.

 

Ron Atkinson signed Isaias Marques Soares from Benfica for £500,000 in the summer of 1995 on a two-year contract. His debut inspired the Sky Blues to a stunning 45 minutes of football (we were unable to play for 90 minutes even back then) as Manchester City were put to the sword at Highfield Road. Most of Isaias' 14 appearances were made prior to Christmas with fitness the main issue. During this time he became the first visiting player to score at the Riverside and swept in a fine finish arriving late into the box at Chelsea.

Arsenal 1 Benfica 3 (Isaias 2) November 1991

Chelsea 2 City 2 August 1995

Isaias brought flair to Coventry, a big name player who lined up alongside Nii Lamptey and Peter Ndlovu, as you would expect from a 'Big Ron' team. That first half against Manchester City was exhilarating, Paul Telfer headed in Ally Pickering's cross as Isaias sprayed the ball around from his pivotal spot in central midfield. Following his injury-plagued time at City, Isaias transferred to Campomaiorense in the Portuguese Third Division for two seasons before he concluded his career with cameos at Brazilian sides Cabofriense and Friburguense. His five seasons at Benfica (1990-95) brought him worldwide recognition and a move to the Premier League. He displayed flashes of his undoubted ability, it was just a shame that injuries caught up with him. His final game in English football came as substitute in our 1-0 defeat to Liverpool in September 1996 as he failed to feature during Gordon Strachan's tenure.

Mark Robins was the man whose winning goal at Nottingham Forest in the 1990 FA Cup third round saved Sir Alex Ferguson from the sack and went on to score the winning goal against Oldham in the semi-final as you can see below. Many former United players have gone on to have successful managerial careers no doubt influenced by their former gaffer. He'll need to change the culture as its been said many times down the years by various managers and continually by the fans. The core is rotten, when the side trail you may as well leave the ground, there's no supporter expectation that they can triumph following any kind of adversity.

Man Utd v Oldham 1990 FA Cup semi-final


Upon Robins' appointment he said "If we can turn things round here it will be fantastic." He could not have put it better, if success is achieved he'll have the freedom of the city. For far too long the players have had the freedom of the dressing room, now is the time for change at our beloved club. Let's hope Mark Robins can bring back the glory days for the Sky Blue Army, for that we will be eternally grateful.

Raffaele Nuzzo - a five goal howler at Tranmere and its arrivederci Highfield Road

In the season when City failed to win on their travels (1999/00) it should have come as no surprise that a cup tie against lower league opposition would follow suit. Tranmere Rovers, then in the second tier, welcomed Gordon Strachan’s men to Prenton Park for the Worthington Cup second round, first leg tie in September 1999. A weakened City side lined up with Gary Breen at right-back, Gavin Strachan and Marc Edworthy in midfield with Gary McSheffrey, then just 17 years of age, leading the line. Messrs Hadji, Whelan, Keane and Aloisi were absent yet perhaps the biggest surprise for the travelling sky blue army saw on-loan Inter Milan ‘keeper Raffaele Nuzzo line up between the posts for his sole City outing. Between 1991 and 2000 Nuzzo was loaned out by Inter on many occasions to third tier Italian clubs and his spell at Highfield Road lasted from June to November 1999. By the time the final whistle blew at Tranmere his bags were packed and bound for Heathrow.

 

City led through Gary McAllister’s strike and there was no sign of the calamity the second-half would bring. Five goals - 50, 58, 63, 80 and 90 minutes - from Scott Taylor and a treble from David Kelly along with a red card for David Burrows ensured the tie was over before it reached Highfield Road. Nuzzo transferred from Inter to Reggiana in 2000, took in a loan spell at Wigan in 2001, before finally becoming Reggiana first-choice in 2005. His retirement came in 2007 at the age of 34 after just over 120 first team appearances in 16 seasons.

Five league games in and we’ve been outwitted by each side we’ve pitted our wares against. I can’t connect with this division, in the Premier League and Championship you knew all the players in every team. In League One I haven’t a clue who half the opposition players are yet they are tactically superior, sharper and hungrier for the ball. I’m not being disrespectful, just honest. Gary Johnson, Danny Wilson, Peter Shirtliff, Steve Davis and Gary Smith have set up their teams with a plan of action to not just counter our efforts but to take the three points. The Ricoh will be the best stadium fellow teams visit this season, as a result they’ll raise their performance level and see us as a major scalp. I’ve had 22 top flight seasons and 11 desperate second tier campaigns, my main ask is to be entertained by my club. If I’m driving 200 miles round trip I want wingers, ball to feet, skilful forwards and defenders bringing the ball out of defence to begin attacks. What I’m getting is long balls up to small strikers, a midfield so narrow they all fit in the centre circle and a defence unable to concentrate for 90 minutes. As I write Dennis Wise has still not been appointed manager, I’m assuming he’s amongst the shortlist of nine. His appointment will get the fans onside, two or three wins in succession and they’ll be flooding back in their droves. A bit of success is all we crave, heaven forbid if we got a bit of glory, we wouldn’t know how to cope it’s been so long. Eventually, we’d savour the moment and to quote Martin Tyler, as Sergio Aguero netted to clinch the title, “drink it in, savour it” – I think we’d drink Coventry dry.

 

Nii Lamptey - from Anderlecht to Highfield Road

John Filan, Brian Borrows, Marcus Hall, Kevin Richardson, David Busst, Paul Williams, Gordon Strachan, Paul Telfer, Peter Ndlovu, John Salako and Nii Lamptey. These eleven men were responsible for the last time Coventry City overcame a two-goal deficit to win a league/cup fixture – 25^th October 1995 – City 3 Spurs 2 League Cup third round tie. The man listed last on the team sheet may be unknown to younger City supporters but at the age of 16 (1990) he was a first-team regular with Anderlecht and one of the hottest properties in world football. Pele hailed him his ‘natural successor’ and he would score on his European Cup debut for the Belgian giants.

 

‘Old before his time’ can certainly be applied to Nii Lamptey. He was smuggled to Belgium in the back of trucks, virtually kidnapped, and after two years with Anderlecht shone for PSV Eindhoven (with his Robbie Keane-style goal celebration - see second clip) while collecting international caps for Ghana. He joined City from Aston Villa, signed twice by Ron Atkinson, and his year in sky blue, 1995/96, saw him debut at Anfield. Lamptey scored twice, home and away, against Hull in the Coca-Cola Cup but made just six starts with five substitute appearances before he was released to join Italian side Venezia. His one goal at Highfield Road is in the clip below when he also had his head trod on by a Hull defender who saw red for his slip of foot.

City 2 Hull City 0 Coca-Cola Cup

Ron Atkinson recalled how the restrictions on foreign players along with the amount of time he spent away on international duty made it impossible for him to feature regularly. Following his move to Italy, still aged just 22, he became a journeyman, ending up in Argentina, Turkey, Portugal, Belgium, Germany, China, Dubai and then home to Ghana. After scoring on his international debut at 16 he partnered Tony Yeboah and Abedi Pele in a fearsome strike force and went on to collect 38 caps, the last of which came in 1996. He promised so much and his arrival at City was a real coup, it was just a shame it failed to work out for him.

Nii Lamptey's time at PSV Eindhoven - prior to Highfield Road

Lamptey himself cited pressure as a big factor: “When Pele said I could go on to become like him it was a great honour for me. To get such high praise from him was wonderful but it had its negative side – everywhere I went I was supposed to live up to very high standards. Once I couldn’t meet people’s expectations I was considered a failure. It’s easy to be a star but it’s difficult to maintain being a star. When I went to Belgium I was alone at a very young age without anybody and it was so difficult.”

He has recently been immortalised by a group of Sky Blues’ supporters – Knowl (gmkonline), Neil Allison (Sky Blues Blog), Joey Crone and Ed Wilson - who have named a podcast after him – ‘The Nii Lamptey Show’ - which you can download on iTunes and follow via twitter @NiiLampteyShow. The audience is growing by the week and the content is excellent, you should take a listen.

N.B. Lamptey's quote and Atkinson's recollection taken from Amy Lawrence's 'Four Four Two' article in 2004.