"Trevor's at his peak, see Bennett's dancing feet..."

With the transfer embargo lifted its clear our focus will train on League Two players, we’re no longer shopping at Harrods or even Woolworths to quote John Sillett, we’re now in Wilkinson territory, Lidl at a push. Expectations have risen slightly as we await transfer activity with interest, we’ll pick up the old pros from the Championship similar to Lee Carsley's signing by Aidy Boothroyd but, realistically, burgeoning talents from the old Division Four will be on Andy Thorn and the newly installed Richard Shaw's radar ready to line up at Yeovil on August 18th.

The summer of 1983, albeit in the top flight, saw a welter of lower league signings brought in by Bobby Gould. Steve Ogrizovic signed from Shrewsbury Town, Nicky Platnauer (Bristol Rovers - he went on to be voted Player of The Year that season), Michael Gynn (Peterborough) and Micky Adams (Gillingham). Also wearing sky blue for the first time was a Nuneaton-born centre-half who transferred from Lincoln City for just £100,000. His name was Trevor Peake and, along with ‘Oggy’ and Gynn, would win an FA Cup winners medal and prove an outstanding signing during his eight years at Highfield Road.

Amazingly consistent and reliable, Peake and Brian Kilcline forged a superb partnership at the heart of the defence. Wembley 1987 saw them celebrate Houchen's brilliant header on the halfway line.

Peake and Kilcline celebrate (23 secs into clip) at Wembley

Peake’s reading of the game compensated for his lack of pace, he was simply outstanding in sky blue, one of the finest defenders of the Division One era. His 334 appearances place him 11th in the all-time list, team captain on many occasions Peake was terrific for the Sky Blues. Similar to the consistency of Peter Atherton, the man signed to replace him, there have not been many better in the number six shirt. His final game, the 5-0 win over Luton in August 1991, saw him join the Kenilworth Road outfit days later where he played until his retirement in 1998.

With City's facilities the best in the third tier, prospective players should want to play in our fantastic stadium with our history. The opportunity to shine in League One is a step up for League Two players but in 1983 Terry Gibson, Peake and company were joining an established Division One club when the power was not with the player and his agent. We’re now a club with expectations of an immediate promotion yet we play in a half-full arena where opposition supporters taunt us over the number of empty seats. With over 5000 season tickets sold there’s still belief and the next few weeks will show if the club shares our hopes for the coming season. They're talking up promotion on a daily basis, let's have action instead of words.

'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.