My new book now out: Sky Blue Heroes : The Inside Story of Coventry City's 1987 FA Cup Win

On 16th May 1987 Coventry City won the first major trophy in their 104-year history. It was an extraordinary period for our city and its football club as we united to celebrate a fabulous success. Victories over Bolton, Manchester United, Stoke City, Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds United took 'George and John's Sky Blue Army' to Wembley, where they overturned the form book to inflict Tottenham's first ever FA Cup final defeat.

For the first time, the cast of '87 are reunited to tell their stories. Sky Blue Heroes: The Inside Story of Coventry City's 1987 FA Cup Win features exclusive interviews that I have carried out with all of the players, management, media, mascots, songwriters, club staff and supporters, documenting a magical time in Coventry City's history. Contemporary media reports appear alongside memories and retrospectives - and I conducted the first interview for 28 years with the 'mystery man' who appeared on the Wembley pitch photograph with the jubilant players. In 1986/87 we all sang together.




Here's the press release from Pitch Publishing with a sample chapter available...and a link to buy...

http://www.pitchpublishing.co.uk/content/greatest-day-sky-blue-history


http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sky-Blue-Heroes-Inside-Coventry/dp/1785310208/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1440621602&sr=1-1&keywords=steve+phelps


Cheers

Steve

Life's a Pitch...from the Ricoh to Paddyfields

A fine stat was reproduced by Jim Brown last week: the last Sky Blues' home game to be postponed was the Spurs '02 FA Cup tie at Highfield Road. The Ricoh Arena during its seven season tenure had 100% fixture completion and coped admirably with the Midlands weather - it was a state of the art stadia after all wasn't it Mr Richardson?

We've all seen the state of pitches when teams share their ground, in a normal world its with Rugby League/Union. Leeds, Wigan, Huddersfield, Watford and Reading's pitches are ready for a breather by May. We don't currently exist in a normal world at Coventry City. I'm in a position where I can't attend an evening 'home' game because I'd arrive at 8:30pm due to the extra distance involved driving from Bristol. The Ricoh saw an arrival right on kick-off as we never risked parking at Tesco like the away fans did and all this with the foot to the floor.

It would be nice to have a choice in the matter, at Ashton Gate last week it was great to be under a set of floodlights again, evening games were always my favourite at Highfield Road/The Ricoh, memories aplenty attacking the West Terrace. Who can forget the 6-1 v Sunderland in '83, the 5-4 League Cup tie v Forest, the 5-0 thumping of Sunderland with 'Livvo' scoring four, the 4-1 v Preston inspired by Bjarni Gudjonsson and the Brian Kilcline winner vs Luton as he smashed home past Les Sealey with seven minutes remaining. There are countless other examples of magical nights which began walking up King Richard Street with hot dogs and cigarette smoke filling the air.

Step forward the wettest January for 250 years. The postponement of Walsall could be followed by Bradford as 'Paddyfields' struggles to cope with two sides playing competitive fixtures in a dire climate. Lower league grounds are renowned for postponements, the facilities don't match their top flight/second tier compatriots. We will now find our passing game bogged down for the rest of the season, it will take a summer like last year to restore the grass. In the meantime the Ricoh sits patiently waiting for its turnstiles to click and the Bovril tap to flow. No Carling or Carlsberg for me with the drive home but many others partake as part of their matchday routine...which many of us don't have at this moment....and it hurts like hell.

There are two quotes from City supporters that summise where we're at in my view. 'Trampbeater''s line below is my away day to Brentford mid-March.


'Why is it no party will compromise or budge an inch, yet supporters are expected to bend, twist, and flex to accommodate this crazy situation?'


The Brentford journey comprises three trains then a pub on each corner of Griffin Park. The return journey is similar but with Guinness involved the connecting trains might prove an issue. I'll be meeting, amongst others, our very own 'Sky Blues Blog', Neil Allison, whose train journey comprises a similar number of stops from Coventry. Last year he wrote in one of his many fine musings a line which has remained with me to this day:


'SISU have stolen the season from us'


Let's hope these egos see sense and relocate us back home. From a business perspective we'll linger in League One with a rice terrace for a pitch, you won't generate income on these crowds and there's only so long you can sustain the losses. I know its been written time and time again, you never know Tim and Joy might browse through 'Newsnow' and take a peep at this.........yeah right.


Play up Sky Blues

'We'll be Back'......update 13 years on...

Its nearly 13 years since the picture synonymous with our relegation at Villa Park was first seen on Sky Sports News. Later that night Gary Lineker closed 'Match of The Day' with a 34-year summise of our top flight years and the last credits rolled with City fan John Mullaney holding up his hand made sign 'We'll be Back'. This piece of wallpaper hastily scrawled upon prior to leaving for Villa Park made national headlines in the weeks following our relegation and is still a reference point after all these years of that day at the Villa.









There will be many City supporters who can see themselves in the above picture, there's not one smile amongst them, a trait familiar with many since July 8th last year when our club was moved out of Coventry. One thing that continues to stand out is City supporters' sense of humour in adversity. John Mullaney went on to write up his exploits following City home and away in the season post-relegation - the excellent 'We'll be Back' - he subsequently emigrated to Brisbane, Australia. 'Trampbeater' ,via twitter, updated John's picture with his very own 'Trampstagram' and you can see below the 2014 version...





Today's opponents Bristol City were last in the top flight, old Division 1, in 1980. During their four seasons in the top tier we never beat them at Ashton Gate yet in 1982/83 they became the first English club to suffer three successive relegations. It was Dean Windass' goal for Hull which defeated them in the play-off final of 2008, its now 34 seasons since their last fixture in the top flight. After just four seasons in Division One their expectations of a return were maybe not as high as ours, what we both find now is the Premier League and its wealth a million miles away as we fight to get out of the third tier.


This season has brought many moments of jubilation for the travelling City fans, let's hope tonight is another as we travel, Leon less, to the West Country in need of three points. Away fixtures will prove key over the next month with Sixfields in such a state. Our free-flowing passing game may come unstuck on that gluepot of a non-league ground it looks like becoming next August so its imperative points are picked up away from home to leave us in the mix come Easter.




Play up Sky Blues

Nobbled by the -10 ..again....Play up Sky Blues!

This hasn't been written in response to the Orient defeat last night, its been brewing for weeks. Each time I look at the league table I'm gaging the gap to the team in sixth which has gradually increased in recent weeks while keeping an eye on the cluster beneath us. There's no doubt conceding so many goals, and late ones at that, has turned victories into draws but our free-scoring strikers could only bail out the leaks in the rearguard for so long. Imagine where we would be with a watertight defence?




I don't believe there's  a City fan out there who expected Callum Wilson to make the impact he has this campaign. Seeing him strike that fine goal against Colchester last season was impressive but there was no way I expected to see him on 15 goals by the start of January. His sidekick, Leon, oh dear. It was all going so well, the second highest number of goals (27) in a calendar year by a City player (after George Hudson - ref Jim Brown) but as Jim also pointed out, Leon has moved club in four January transfer windows. A journeyman he is but there is a certain kudos to the way things are done and he'll leave (if Wolves fans will have him) having singed the relationship with City supporters. There's no doubting his quality but he'll be back in League One by the start of next season.




My concern was if these two were hindered in any way we'd suffer and Callum's injury has proved this. Franck Moussa and Carl Baker have chipped in admirably this season while messrs Thomas and Fleck have yet to trouble the scorers. As we all know their immense contribution has been elsewhere but we can only plug the gaps for so long. Looking back though, we replaced Marlon (eventually) with David McGoldrick then replaced him with Leon. I'm sure Mr Pressley has a gem up his sleeve, he's worked wonders so far with our starlets, whatever happens in the remaining 19 games we have  a base to build upon and you can't say that very often about our club.




Without sounding negative (and I'm an eternal optimist where Sky Blue matters are concerned) I have this 'orrible hunch the points deduction will prove a bridge too far...again. It hampered us at the tail end of last season and its looking like we may now struggle to close the gap on the last play-off place.
When I wrote 'January and the Season's Over' many years ago the title was chosen to reflect the fact we would not achieve glory in the season and could write off play-off/promotion chances by the end of the month. Its looking likely this title will come back to haunt me again, I'm hoping I'm wrong but we'll need 12 wins out of the remaining 19 to give us a chance. However, you never know, its been a memorable season at times on the pitch (MK, Rotherham, Barnsley,Franck Moussa at Port Vale, Callum Wilson with nearly every goal he's scored being sublime), has Steven Pressley got any further magic dust to sprinkle upon the City faithful?




Before I close there is a little message for SISU, ACL, CCC and all other clowns involved in this ridiculous situation....









Whatever happens to any of the above there will always be the supporters of Coventry City - we will always have this and no-one can take these four words away from us...


Play up Sky Blues!

Egos aplenty at Coventry City ..but not on the pitch.....

There has been so much written about the current situation at Coventry City, view and counter-view, attendance and non-attendance that every day there is yet more frustration for the sky blue faithful.
It is now 198 days - Monday 8th July - since the Football League ratified this crazy situation and approved this sodding groundshare. The simplest supporter comments speak the undeniable truth as GMK editor 'Knowl' stated at the time of the announcement:


'This just feels so utterly needless. There is a club and a ground but egos have stood in the way.'


Fast-forward to the present and Steven Pressley's stars are playing some of the best football seen in years, scoring fantastic goals, overturning deficits (unheard of for years) and have connected with the supporters in a Richard Keogh-style way. We have cult heroes for the first time since Keogh and Big Mo Konjic while Joe Murphy continues to defy the opposition with wonder saves in a Keiren Westwood/Oggy-esque way.


The last time I can recall such free-flowing football with a pattern of play was in 1999/00 as Robbie Keane and company worked their magic at Highfield Road, sadly the intervening years have offered little in terms of hope and achievement.


There isn't an ounce of common sense inside the boardroom walls of Coventry City and hasn't been for many years. The most clued up person is Steven Pressley - the man's a genius, initially for taking on the role, creating the 'bomb squad', then working his magic to transform our young side. His players give their all for the cause and have turned the -10 into a potential play-off crusade.


The other night I watched highlights of the two-legged League Cup semi-final defeat to West Ham in 1981. The average age of Gordon Milne's side was 21 and they played without fear, very similar to Pressley's starlets. Let's hope the squad stays together for the rest of the season and gives us just a little glint of success that we have craved for so long.




'Trampbeater', for me, has summed up the season with this tweet last week:


'Why is it no party will compromise or budge an inch, yet supporters are expected to bend, twist, and flex to accommodate this crazy situation?'


Wise words.....


Play up Sky Blues.

15th August 1992 - a dip into the matchday programme of the Sky Blues v Boro'

Following a 2-0 defeat for City at Villa Park in the final game of 1991/92, Notts County's 2-1 victory over Luton condemned the 'Hatters' to relegation. The Sky Blues survived to become one of the inaugural members of the newly formed 'FA Premier League'. For the opening day visit of Lennie Lawrence's Middlesbrough the match day programme displayed new City manager Bobby Gould stood on the Highfield Road pitch with the Spion Kop over his shoulder.

At a cost of £1.20 the programme listed the referee as Howard King from Merthyr Tydfil with Uriah Rennie one of his linesmen. Inside the front cover 'Club Officials' were listed, 'Vice-Chairman' was Bryan Richardson while Graham Hover was 'Club Secretary'. Former players who worked for the club included George Curtis, Brian Roberts, Trevor Gould, Barry Powell and Ray Gooding.

 

On this landmark day for football Oggy wore the number one shirt as his back four comprised Terry Fleming, Kenny Sansom, Andy Pearce and Peter Atherton. Last season's 'Player of the Year' Stewart Robson anchored midfield with Lee Hurst while Michael Gynn and David Smith provided ammunition for Robert Rosario and new signing from Swansea City, John Williams. On the bench were new signing from Bradford City, Phil Babb, and the combative Sean Flynn.
 

The prize for winning the previous season's 'Lucky Programme Competition' was a Peugeot 106 while £1,000 was the weekly prize in the Sky Blue Executive Club. Managing Director George Curtis was pictured as he presented club historian Jim Brown with a cheque for the above amount. 'Bits 'n' Pieces' advertised Coventry City Clubcall at just 36p a minute while mascot for the day was nine year-old Luke McCormick from Wyken - Oggy was his favourite player.

Bobby Gould was pictured with Willie Boland and his family as he welcomed the 17 year-old from Limerick who signed professional forms while the spotlight feature was 24 year-old John Williams, the Rumbelows Sprint Challenge winner whose speed earned him the title of the 'Flying Postman' prior to his move from South Wales.

 

The previous summer had seen farewell to Dean Emerson, Kevin Drinkell, Don Howe, Paul Furlong and Clive Baker while Phil Neal became Gould's number two. Brian Roberts returned to the club as reserve team coach, goalkeeper Jonathan Gould signed from West Brom while also new to Highfield Road were Babb and Stuart Bowen.
 

Kit manufacturer Ribero advertised their range and used City stars as fashion models. Lloyd McGrath wore leisurewear while Andy Pearce and his Simon Cowell-esque jeans rivalled the shell suit of Peter Atherton.

Replica shirts cost £28.50 while the shell suit retailed at £65.00.

So what happened next?

City won their first match in the FA Premier League 2-1 with goals from John Williams and David Smith - Williams' strike after nine minutes second only to Brian Deane's opener for Sheffield United against Manchester United at Bramall Lane.

The Sky Blues won their first three matches and became the first outright leaders while Michael Gynn's missed penalty at Tottenham three days later was the Premier League's first failure from the spot.

Bobby Gould can now be heard regularly on 'Talksport' and writes his regular column in the Coventry Telegraph. Three months into the campaign he signed Mick Quinn for City and the rest is folklore.

Phil Neal went on to succeed Bobby Gould as City manager and signed Dion Dublin. He was replaced by Ron Atkinson early in 1995 and went on to manage Cardiff City before working in television and radio.

Uriah Rennie went on to become one of the most well known referees in the Premier League until he retired in 2009.

Bryan Richardson moved up to Chairman and spent the club's money as if it was his own - he was removed from his post as was Graham Hover in late 2001 and left City £60m in debt.

None of the 'Club Officials' listed are still with the club.

Coventry City Clubcall is no more while mascot Luke McCormick is currently Plymouth Argyle's goalkeeper.

Willie Boland went on to appear 72 times for the Sky Blues between 1993 and 1999. He also played for Cardiff City and Hartlepool with distinction, as he had done at Highfield Road.

John Williams appeared 86 times and scored 11 goals for City before he moved to Wycombe Wanderers soon after Big Ron arrived. In his second game for City he scored both goals at White Hart Lane in a 2-0 win.

Kit manufacturer Ribero provided kits for Norwich City and Brighton in the same era.

City remained (as we all know) in the elite division until May 2001, only Arsenal, Aston Villa, Chelsea, Everton, Liverpool, Manchester United and  Tottenham Hotspur have competed in every season from the original 22 teams.

Play up Sky Blues



 

"They shan't defeat us, we'll fight 'till the game is won..."

I've always stated we, as football supporters, have no control over anything the players and management do. We can't make a game changing substitution, we can't tell Steven Pressley who to pick, we can't affect change in any way for 90 plus minutes. What happens on the pitch is in the hands of our heroes and the gaffer, we're there to be entertained, to see the Sky Blues win and to witness an occasional glimpse of class.

These glimpses of class were regularly on show at Highfield Road, from Mark Hateley to Steve Hunt, Terry Gibson to Michael Gynn, Dave Bennett to Big Cyrille through to messrs Whelan, Huckerby and Dublin. Along with visiting stars like Peter Beardsley, John Barnes, David Rocastle, Ian Rush, Ian Wright and Bryan Robson there was quality on show each time you went to our former home of football. You knew the names of all the players who were numbered one to eleven, unlike the modern era. The players talked to the fans, even the manager signed an autograph, unlike now. A programme cost no more than £1 and you could park for free, unlike now.
 

Then it all went a bit wrong and after 34 years of top flight football we welcomed Grimsby Town and Burnley to CV6...and they went home with the points. Eric Black gave us four months of free flowing football as Bjarni Gudjonsson and Gary McSheffrey linked with the finally fit Julian Joachim to bring hope and optimism to City's faithful following. To quote modern day City journalist Kieran Crowley it was 'liquid football' - what a great phrase.
 

Then, Mike McGinnity's ambition got the better of him as he brought Peter Reid into the hot seat...only to call on the services of former favourite Micky Adams just six months later. Micky's City side began life at the Ricoh Arena and, with the introduction of Don Hutchison and Dennis Wise, oversaw an eighth place finish in May 2006.
 

Then, Gary McSheffrey was sold up the A45, not replaced and seasonal struggle became the norm....

SISU Capital and Ray Ranson rode into town and signed a wealth of talent as Keiren Westwood, Scott Dann and Danny Fox lit up the arena with fantastic shot stopping, the ability to defend and a repertoire of free kicks not seen since the days of Oggy, 'Killer' and Stuart Pearce.
 

Then, they were sold and a recurring theme again reared it's ugly head...
 

2012 saw relegation to the third tier as the best players continued to be sold, the inability to hang onto Marlon King a key factor in the demise of Andy Thorn's men as the battle with SISU began...
 

Then, we stopped talking about the football and the eleven men who took to the pitch every Saturday afternoon at 3pm. The ground share has torn Coventry City supporters apart from the club and each other. Last Saturday I witnessed one of the best City goals I've ever seen when Franck Moussa fired in his tremendous strike at Vale Park. For a few moments it provided over 3,000 supporters directly in line with him that glimpse of magic so rare nowadays. Looking back through the memories I can recall Don Hutchison's volley at Elland Road, Danny Fox at Norwich, Ritchie Partridge's Boxing Day strike versus Reading and Gary Mac's dipping volley against Derby. They remain in the memory as these glimpses are so few and far between, we've pined for a cult hero since Big Mo, we thought we had one with David McGoldrick but, he too, was allowed to go elsewhere. At Highfield Road genius was the norm, especially when Robbie Keane and his entertainers took to the stage.
 

The best memories for me down the years have come from night matches, especially those at Highfield Road. You always knew if City were attacking the West End in the second half any deficit could be overturned. There was something special about a ground we needlessly departed in search of individual greed and benefit. In its final season the wonderful theatre was filled just once but left a memory that we will never forget on that April day in glorious sunshine as Jimmy Hill led his rendition of the Sky Blue song.
 

Then, people got greedier and the beautiful game evolved into a business. Supporters, once valued and appreciated, are now the last thought as the money men focus on their investment, this in an era when the cost of following your team has never been higher and continues to soar.
 

Three years ago I wrote 'Coventry City On This Day', a calendar history of our wonderful football club, there is simply no finer club in the country but that's just my opinion. I began watching in 1979, many others go way back, what we all have in common is the desire for our club to return to its rightful place in the City of Coventry. Once the wrongs have been righted our club can get back to where it belongs and there will be no set of supporters more deserving than the Sky Blue Army.

Keep the faith

Gary McSheffrey - the life and times of a Sky Blue

It's every Sky Blues' supporter's ambition to play for their home-town side. Not many of them top 250 first-team appearances for the club and lie ninth in the all-time top scorers' list. No-one else has made their debut at Villa Park in the first-ever league win there thus becoming the club's youngest ever player. As well as finishing top scorer for the Sky Blues three seasons running he also took Player of the Year in 2006 and scored in the final game at Highfield Road. Step forward Gary McSheffrey.

Aged just 16 years and 198 days, he replaced Darren Huckerby at Villa in the emphatic 4-1 victory on his debut, there could be no better place and more significant event to make your bow. Following relegation in 2001 'Sheffers' spent time on loan at Luton, aiding their promotion campaign, and began to feature regularly at City in 2002/03. He bagged a treble in the 8-0 League Cup win over Rushden and Diamonds but came to real prominence under Eric Black's brief tenure as he partnered Julian Joachim in a fondly remembered era for City supporters. Top billing in terms of goal scoring came in 03/04, 04/05 and 05/06 before his big move to Birmingham City, a transfer hotly contested by the City faithful as yet another star was sold. The Sky Blues a selling club? Never. You can see his prowess in front of goal in the clip below with 'Mr Blue Sky' for musical accompaniment:

Gary McSheffrey's many goals in a City shirt

After four seasons and a taste of the top flight with the side from St Andrews, Aidy Boothroyd snapped him up in the summer of 2010 for a second spell, a popular move amongst the Ricoh faithful. Since his return, in main due to fan expectation following his first spell, it has been a frustrating time for the City fan himself. We expect so much from him as we know what he can produce, he has spoken himself how it frustrates him but the hope is that he can now build on an injury-free run alongside David McGoldrick and add to his goals tally.


Now level with Dion Dublin on 72 goals, he is also the club's leading scorer in their time at the Ricoh, currently with 25 strikes to his name. Mark Robins believes in his talents, at present he is keeping John Fleck out of the side and finding the back of the net. If McGoldrick does leave the Ricoh in January we will need goals from somewhere and 'Sheffers' contribution will be vital along with Carl Baker who is also finding the net with regularity in recent weeks. The goals have started to flow for the pair but we need them in the zone every week to keep the momentum going on the pitch. They should let Mark Robins sort out the shambles off the pitch also, he speaks more common sense than all the 'board' members put together, they could do no worse than sit down with Robins and listen to someone else's voice apart from their own for a change.

Footnote: this was written prior to kick off on Tuesday.

Dean Emerson & Willie Boland : From Highfield Road to Hartlepool..and the CWR 'Fan of the Week'...

Saturday’s visit to Hartlepool United links two former Sky Blues’ midfielders who graced the top flight and whose curtain call came at the home of Jeff Stelling’s favourite side. One man missed out on our greatest ever day at Wembley through injury while, along with his compatriot, they both failed to register a single goal in sky blue. What they did bring was the ability to keep it simple, retain the ball and break down opposition attacks. They could be relied upon to deliver each time they stepped out onto the pitch - their names were Dean Emerson and Willie Boland.

Dean Emerson’s introduction to the top flight made one of the best ever impressions on the City support. Signed by John Sillett for £40,000 from Rotherham United after starring against City in a Littlewoods Cup tie he made 132 appearances for City between 1986 and the close season of 1991. Just two months prior to Wembley a reckless tackle by Sheffield Wednesday’s Gary Megson on an icy Highfield Road pitch began an agonising sequence of knee operations for the midfield kingpin as he returned time after time to appear in the Sky Blues' engine room. Eventually, the injury caught up with him and he moved to Hartlepool prior to the commencement of the Premier League. Always popular with the supporters it was Emerson’s pass that created the winning goal against Manchester City in August 1989 that took City top of Division One for the first time ever.

 

Willie Boland came through the City youth team and made his debut at the age of 17 during Bobby Gould’s tenure. Between 1993 and1999 he appeared 72 times and displayed an excellent engine dovetailed with the ability to retain possession and break up opposition attacks. Ever reliable, Boland made his full home debut in a 1-0 win against Liverpool and starred in front of the home faithful. After his time at City came to a close he transferred to Cardiff and again thrived under the management of Gould. He was a pivotal member of their successful late 90’s/early millennium promotion chasing sides and made his final appearance for the 'Bluebirds' at the Ricoh in their 3-1 defeat when Dennis Wise bid farewell to City. His final move took him to Hartlepool in 2006 but a knee injury led to his premature retirement in September 2009. Willie Boland never let the City down during his time at Highfield Road and, like Emerson, was an asset to the side he performed in.

 

Last Friday's CWR phone-in was an entertaining and humorous hour as City fan of over 35 years, Matt Partridge, displayed a refreshing honesty talking with Clive Eakin and fellow supporters as the 'Fan of the Week' about the current situation. 'Joy Serpentine' was one of his highlights along with an honest assessment of Carl Baker's recent form. Matt received criticism for this while the programme was running and the following day online - his departure from the CWR studios you can see below.

Criticised for telling it as it is in my view - we can all run round and try hard but, like Gary McSheffrey, we all know they can both do so much better and that is one of the points Matt made. Baker and Sheffers were expected to be shining lights in League One yet they are currently fading stars. Matt's honesty I witnessed first hand in 1986 when, in the style of Geoff Boycott, he ran me out in school inter-house cricket. 'Sorry mate!!!' was shouted after me as I trudged back to the pavilion a year prior to the FA Cup final victory. Fast forward 26 years and we both still await that top six finish last experienced in 1970. A few honest words can do no harm, Mark Robins delivers similar each time he speaks, for too long the cracks have been papered over and it's time to tell it as it really is - SISU take note.

The Coventry City Years : 1982/83...and the wind of change since day one at Yeovil...

The opening day of season 1982/83 welcomed England’s World Cup goalkeeper to Highfield Road as Peter Shilton made his Southampton debut. At the other end of the pitch, due to an injury to Les Sealey, 16 year old Perry Suckling kept a clean sheet in the Sky Blues’ 1-0 win and belied his youth with a fine performance. He would go on to make 29 starts for City before joining Manchester City in the swap deal which brought FA Cup winner David Phillips to the club.

 

Mid-September saw Jim Melrose score a hat-trick on his home debut as Everton were defeated 4-2 in the same game which saw Garry and Keith Thompson take to the field – the first brothers for over 60 years to appear for City. Scotsman Melrose scored 10 times in 29 appearances during a brief stay before he moved to Celtic.

 

Spurs’ Garry Brooke scored a six minute hat-trick past Sealey weeks later as City lost 4-0 before Steve Whitton stepped up and smashed home unstoppable strikes from range against Luton and Brighton – on his 21^st birthday in front of just 8,035 supporters . His shooting prowess was some of the best seen at Highfield Road (in my time) and following his summer move to West Ham he would fire an unstoppable effort past Perry Suckling the following September in the Hammers' 5-2 win at Upton Park.

 

Brian Roberts’ first ever goal for the club after 192 games inspired the side to a 3-0 win at West Ham before Peter 'Chukkie' Hormantschuk followed suit with a strike that Manchester United’s Gary Bailey fumbled into his own net as City defeated Big Ron's 'Red Devils' to triumph 3-0 just after Christmas. His own team-mates were in shock as you can see below at his only goal for City and he moved on to Nuneaton Borough, similar to Kevin Malaga, after 29 appearances for his home-town club following the arrival of fellow local lad Kirk Stephens.

 

The goals continued to flow into February as a classic from Mark Hateley was too good for Manchester City and a 4-0 thrashing ensued in front of the TV cameras.

Sky Blues 4 Manchester City 0 February 1983

One win in 15 games ensured safety was not guaranteed until the penultimate game as I came across the word relegation for the first time – like a bad smell it would not go away and still interrupts my sky blue thoughts on a daily (hourly) basis. Birmingham City won at Highfield Road in mid-April with a late winner – so bad was the performance a fan ran onto the pitch and threw down his shirt in front of the dugout. He was only venting what we all knew – we were in trouble and only a 3-0 win at Stoke kept our heads one place above the drop zone as Manchester City plummeted down the table and into the second tier.

The season ended with a Les Sealey horror show at home to West Ham as Dave Sexton stepped aside amongst much discontent inside and outside the club. We would never believe what would happen during the close season of 1983...

Fast forward 29 years and...

From the side who took to the field at Yeovil on the opening day only Joe Murphy, Richard Wood, John Fleck and Callum Ball are holding down a regular role in the team. Jordan Clarke now faces fierce competition from the rehabilatated Cyrus Christie while Reece Brown has joined Adam Barton and Billy Daniels in being quickly removed from the first team picture. Carl Baker has frustrated the City faithful along with Gary McSheffrey - both a huge disappointment when we know they can do so much better. Perhaps the biggest victim of the mass change has been Cody McDonald - I wrote prior to the opening day how I expected him to reach 20 goals this season yet how wrong could I be. I still maintain he is a genuine goal threat but when you play as narrow as we were and have poor service from Clarke and Hussey (in the first ten games) then your goal output will suffer. We have the opportunity to move through the gears during the approach to Christmas, stay unbeaten and we could be in the mix come the new year. The signing of McGoldrick is key, let's hope plans are in place to make the move a permanent one.

Next week....1983/84....

 

The Coventry City years: 1980-1982

I’m breaking with tradition and moving away from individual heroes to remember past seasons from when I began watching the Sky Blues. ITV4’s ‘Big Match Revisited’ currently serves up a Saturday and Sunday dose of classic action in the days when football on TV was the exception and not the rule. The club we follow up and down the country doesn’t even feature on the ‘Sky Text’ index pages any more, we’re a miniature column in The Times’ ‘Game’ supplement every Monday morning and there’s a half hour wait on Sky Sports News for a five second clip of our goal action...but it never used to be like this.

 

It all started so well – for me anyway – 1980/81. Paul Dyson’s header past Ray Clemence in front of 31,000 at Highfield Road took the two points against champions Liverpool.  A crushing 3-1 win over Arsenal in August 1980 with a majestic body swerve past Pat Jennings and finish from Gary Gillespie was followed a few weeks later by Everton winning 5-0 at City. Surely that wasn’t meant to happen, I didn’t think teams lost by that score at home – I was only six at the time.

 

Tommy English scored my first live hat-trick in a 4-1 defeat of Leicester City, I’d see many more until the turn of the millennium until they began to dry up, we must have saved a fortune in match balls. At this point the image of Wembley reared its head with a terrific League Cup run which ended at West Ham in the cruellest of fashions – the last minute winner. A 1-1 draw with Cambridge in round four had seen my first night game sat in the front row of the West Stand. I missed the 5-0 thumping of Watford in the quarter-final and the semi-final epic against the Hammers but, never mind, I thought, we’ll get another opportunity next year.

 

Three points for a win arrived in 1981/82 along with our all-seater stadium as City beat Manchester United on the opening day. Two weeks later and Leeds ripped out the Sky Blue Stand seats as a once great force in English football struggled to cope with their decline – we’ve never ripped out the seats although we’ve felt like it many times. We knocked Swansea off top spot with a 3-1 win in October 1981 while it took us until December to win an away game, 2-1 at Spurs. A week later and I viewed the orange ball for the first time at Highfield Road - Manchester City with Ray Ranson, Bobby McDonald and Tommy Hutchison in their side conquered the frozen conditions with a 1-0 win in the only game I’ve ever left early – well I had forgotten my gloves.

 

There was no League Cup glory this time around, Everton's Mick Ferguson saw to that as his towering header in front of his once adoring West Terrace sent us heading for the exits in shock. The immutable law of the ex I’d come across for the first time, how could he do it to us? After Christmas Notts County thrashed us 5-1 on a school night as the brilliant Mercia Sound sport team reported the bad news – and they had three disallowed.

Martin Singleton, fresh out of the youth team, scored on his debut past Everton’s Neville Southall before we turned on the style to wallop Sunderland 6-1, inspired by Gerry Francis in midfield. Then came two hat-tricks in four days through Mark Hateley in the 5-5 epic draw at Southampton before Steve ‘The Cannonball Kid’ Whitton smashed in a treble at Maine Road.

We had a quarter-final run in the FA Cup until Big Cyrille sent us packing 2-0 on a sodden day at the Hawthorns after we’d thrashed Roy Barry’s Oxford United 4-0 in the previous round.

West Brom 2 City 0 FA Cup quarter-final March 1982

January 1982's 'Goal of the Month' was Peter Bodak’s solo effort at Maine Road in the fourth round, definitely worthy of another watch, he had so much ability it was frightening, what a shame he fell out with Gordon Milne.

'Bodak's the name, scoring's my game'

A semi-final and a quarter-final, these cup runs were becoming the norm, I’d surely look forward to many more in seasons to come....

Next week...1982/83 and 1983/84

Nicky Platnauer and Graham Withey - from Eastville to the game of their lives

The summer of 1983 brought an influx of lower league players to Highfield Road following the departure of the club’s famous youth policy of the late 70’s and early 80’s. Bobby Gould brought hitherto unknown talent to the home of football and, as we all know, unearthed the likes of Trevor Peake, Michael Gynn, Dave Bennett and Micky Adams. He also introduced a duo from Bristol Rovers, his former club, who spent less than two seasons with the club but made an instant impact upon their arrival. Their names were Nicky Platnauer and Graham Withey.

Graham Withey appeared in a City shirt on 27 occasions and scored seven times. Signed as back up to Terry Gibson and Dave Bamber, his transfer fee was £5000 and he would score past Ray Clemence on his debut at White Hart Lane and made a substitute appearance in the famous 4-0 win over Liverpool. After two seasons he was sold to Cardiff City and went on have a distinguished career in the lower divisions with Yeovil, Bath City and Cheltenham Town amongst others.

 

Nicky Platnauer played 53 times for the Sky Blues and scored six goals following his £10000 move from Eastville. His debut came as substitute in the 3-2 win at Watford on the opening day and he would spend most of the time in midfield with his trusty left foot. Not only did he open the scoring in the first minute against Liverpool with a grass level diving header, he went on to be named the club’s Player of the Year at the end of 1983/84, no mean feat with Terry Gibson in the side.

 

His departure from City coincided with Bobby Gould leaving at Christmas ’84 and he transferred to Birmingham City from where he took in spells at Cardiff, Notts County and Leicester amongst others on his way to 450 senior appearances. Both men contributed to one of the most memorable days ever witnessed at Highfield Road in December 1983 and they will go down in history as part of the side who demolished the champions along with Raddy Avramovic, Brian Roberts, Stuart Pearce, Trevor Peake, Sam Allardyce, Dave Bennett, Michael Gynn, Dave Bamber, Terry Gibson and Gerry Daly.

Nicky Platnauer's finest moment - December 10th 1983

On his visits to City with Forest and Southampton David McGoldrick was always on the periphery, used as a substitute or substituted. When we signed him I was sceptical but how wrong can you be. Six goals so far and we are still in October - last season’s top scorer scored just nine goals and it’s rare to see a Sky Blues’ striker in the goal scoring charts. Mark Robins will be planning for the new year, there won’t be any waiting until late December to sort out new deals for his loan stars, that mistake won’t happen again. A new idol may be forthcoming at the Ricoh, we have to rewind to big Mo for the last one. As the song goes: ‘he scores when he wants, he scores when he wants, David McGoldrick he scores when he wants’  - last season the team couldn’t score for love nor money, what a refreshing change.

 

Roy Wegerle - from Tampa Bay to his time at Highfield Road

Swindon Town’s only season in the top flight came in 1993/94. The Wiltshire club, led by John Gorman, won just five games, conceded 100 goals but made many friends with their pass and move style, inspired by former manager Glenn Hoddle. During the season a Norwegian international bagged their only hat-trick, a former FA Cup winning captain shored up their back line and Sky cameras missed their last minute leveller at Highfield Road.

In April 1993 Kevin Gallacher departed Highfield Road in a swap deal with Blackburn Rovers’ Roy Wegerle. Until his departure in the close season of 1995 the USA international appeared 63 times and scored on 11 occasions for City.

 

The visit of Swindon was broadcast to the nation and it was Wegerle’s fine finish from a move inspired by Chris Marsden that looked to have taken the points until Andy Mutch’s non-televised last gasp leveller stunned the sky blue hordes (forward to 3:40 mins and also check out Richard Keys' jacket).

City 1 Swindon 1 January 1994

The return fixture at the County Ground brought a 3-1 defeat for City as Jan Aage Fjortoft bagged a treble and Brian Kilcline kept City's strikers at bay. Julian Darby netted for the Sky Blues on a cold February day in front of just over 14000 supporters.

Swindon 3 City 1 February 1994

Wegerle inspired an eight-game unbeaten run at the beginning of 1993/94 which included the 3-0 triumph at Arsenal, a 1-0 at home to Liverpool and the late comeback (2-1) at home to Newcastle when Mick Harford headed the winner. Bobby Gould played Wegerle in a floating role which befitted his undoubted talent. His quick feet and creative passing brought chances galore for Mick Quinn and Peter Ndlovu as the Sky Blues entertained the supporters. They ended ‘93/94 in 11^th position and completed the double over both Arsenal and Tottenham.

One of Wegerle’s finest moments in football came at Elland Road as he waltzed through Leeds’ defence in a QPR shirt as you can see below - an artist at work - a player who was able to hold the crowd’s attention with his trickery and invention.

Roy Wegerle's finest moment

With four of the Sky Blues’ squad numbers over 30 it highlights the wind of change at the Ricoh. Introducing fines for poor marking at set-pieces amongst others is an interesting move and Robins’ disciplined aura seems to have gone down well with the City support after the Hi-di-Hi tenure. It’s about time there was a shake-up at the Ricoh, we pay hard earned cash (travel and ticket) to watch our side and have each spent thousands of pounds down the years. Mark Robins appears to see what we have all been seeing for years, finally, finally we might just have found the man to take us forward after years of being stuck in reverse.  A 4-0 away win is a great start to the week, bring on Di Canio and his Wiltshire wonders.

Paul Telfer - from Kenilworth Road to Parkhead via the Sky Blues

Connections between Saturday’s opponents, Bournemouth, and the Sky Blues are few and far between in recent years. One man departed trophy laden Parkhead after winning two Scottish league titles and, via retirement, rocked up at Dean Court following six years in sky blue and a total of 12 seasons with Gordon Strachan. Having scored on his City home debut he would end his time at Highfield Road carried off on a stretcher with a broken leg. The place was Villa Park, the leg was his and the end result was relegation. His name was Paul Telfer.

 

Telfer spent seven seasons with Luton before Ron Atkinson signed him in the close season of 1995 for £1.5 million. Until his departure in 2001 he appeared 225 times and scored on 12 occasions. A mainstay on the right side of midfield, Telfer overcame a quiet start to win over the City faithful, renowned for his stamina, heading ability and reliability as an unsung component of the Atkinson/Strachan era.

His first professional goal for Luton came at Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane, coincidentally at the same Kop end he powered home a free-kick in the FA Cup quarter-final replay of 1998.

 

Paul Telfer's first professional goal for Luton

 

Sheff Utd v City FA Cup Quarter-Final 1998

 

If fate decreed Telfer would have taken City to a semi-final at Old Trafford against Newcastle but as history points out the Blades levelled in added time and triumphed on penalties. Manchester City were on the receiving end of his home debut as he powered home a header from Ally Pickering’s fine cross in the match remembered for Isaias inspiring the Sky Blues. ‘Telf’ would have been a pivotal player in the second tier but departed when his contract expired reuniting with Strachan at Southampton and Celtic, playing in the 2003 FA Cup final against Arsenal. Following two brief retirements he played for Bournemouth and Gary McAllister’s Leeds side before moving into the coaching side and is now player-coach at Conference South side Sutton United... now there's a side with connections to the Sky Blues.

Joe Murphy, Richard Wood and Adam Barton are the only three players to play against MK Dons who also lined up at Yeovil on the opening day such is the wind of change at City. In Tuesday's game we controlled just 36% of possession against a side renowned for their ball retention. All the more frustrating then to see how wasteful we have become with throw-ins. Instead of a throw to feet and taking the return we resort to tossing up a hopeful lob in the forlorn hope the recipient will control the ball on their head, beat two men and find a team-mate. After working so hard to force opposition error I cannot understand the logic as we needlessly turn a throw-in into a 50/50 ball and surrender possession - basic skills, surely? A final comment looks at Murphy's contribution each time the ball threatens his goal and runs out of play. Instead of getting on with the game he'll leave the ball to berate whoever comes into his eyeline. I've never seen a City 'keeper waste so much time when he has the ball, if we're winning 1-0 with minutes to go then fine but that has hardly been the case in the last 12 months. Having said that I admire the way he controls his area and marshals his back four, I just wish he'd get on with the game.

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.