Blast From The Past: On This Day 1986 – Tony Becomes A Sky Blue Professional!

Tony in the Sky Blue

Thanks to CCFC historian Steve Phelps for reminding us of the signing of one of our members, a Cov Kid’, who was with the Sky Blues as a youngster, became an F.A.Youth Cup winner with us and built a decent footballing career on Sky Blue foundations. The memory above, about CCFPA member Tony Dobson, is excerpted from his book ‘Coventry City On This Day’ (Pitch Publishing 2010) which points up lots of interesting Sky Blue related anniversaries*.

The Sky Blues took Tony on YTS terms in May 1985, when he left Ernsford Grange School, and he earned a professional contract this day, on 7th July 1986, which became a heady year for the Sky Blues. As well as the first team winning the F.A.Cup at Wembley against Tottenham Hotspur for the club’s first time the youth team made it a double celebration in 1986/7 by carrying off the F.A.Youth Cup! Tony was an important member of that victorious team (below)! He was also recognised with four England Under 21 Caps whilst with City.

CCFC’s FAYC Winners 1987

He made his first team debut in March 1987 at left back in a narrow 1-0 defeat against Aston Villa at Villa Park and before moving on to Blackburn Rovers in January 1991 for £275k Tony had pulled on the Sky Blue shirt 63 times netting once.

Tony (left) with Billy

After Ewood Park Tony played for a succession of league clubs typically staying a season or two. He had spells at Portsmouth (1993); Oxford United (1994-loan); Peterborough United (1996-loan); Swindon Town (1996- trial); West Bromwich Albion (1997); Gillingham (1998) and Northampton Town (1998) before dropping into non league football with Forest Green Rovers (2000).

Tony then moved into management first with VS Rugby in 2001, then with Solihull Borough (2005) then returning to Rugby Town as manager from September 2008 to October 2009. CCFPA vice chairman Billy Bell presented Tony with membership badge and tie when he joined us in 2011 (pictured above). From time to time I the past Tony has also appeared for the Sky Blues Legends XI in charity games.

We hope to see Tony back at one of our events soon, perhaps back in Coventry for the Sky Blues’ Championship games this upcoming season?

*Steve’s most recent work on the Sky Blues about the 1980-81 squad ’29 Minutes From Wembley’ was published by Pitch Publishing in 2017 and all his CCFC books are available online and from all good bookshops.

Thanks to CCFPA’s Mike Young for sourcing the images.