Matchday Memories: On This Pre-Season Day 2015 – Mowbray’s Men Draw Borough Blank Again (But v Oxford)!
Manager Mowbray
On this day (July 11th) in 2015 the Sky Blues were preparing for a League One season under Tony Mowbray with a series of pre-season friendlies all played away from the Ricoh (then landlords Wasps RFC). City’s pre-season kicked off with a game against ‘The Borough’ in Nuneaton, a frequent local venue for pre-season warm ups over the years. Then there was a crowd of 1,502 at Liberty Way with about 600 members of the Sky Blue Army present to see a goalless draw. It also happened to be the ‘Away Day’ for the CCFPA committee who were out in force to support the Sky Blues.
Then followed games around the country against Portsmouth (at Havant and Waterlooville‘s ground which we lost 1-2, Luton Town at Kenilworth Road (a 1-1 draw), a 1-0 defeat at Cambridge United and another 0-0 at neighbours Leamington Town.
This day’s game, the last of the pre-season set, was against Oxford United and should have been at their Manor Ground. However, the U’s pitch was not yet ready so the game was switched. So, City found themselves back where they started at Nuneaton‘s Liberty Way stadium! The hasty switch meant that no programme was issued but fortunately we have match details, though there was not much to write home about as City’s goal drought continued!
Ryan Haynes in the Sky Blue
The Sky Blues (CCFPA members underlined) were as follows:-
Josh Ruffels in the Sky Blue
Sam Slocombe, George Baldock (Sam Lock -80) , Joe Skarz, Kemar Roofe (Josh Ashby -80), Johnny Mullins, Jake Wright, Danny Rose (James Roberts -80), Liam Sercombe (Josh Ruffels -51), Ryan Taylor (Patrick Hoban -18), Danny Hylton (Callum O’Dowda -64) and Alex McDonald Unused subs: Michael Collins, Che Dunckley and Max Crocobe (gk) Referee:- ??????
Josh Ruffels was a young former Sky Blue from 2010-13 who, until the start of the 2021-22 season when he joined Huddersfield Town, was still with the Us. Josh was there again facing City for Oxford in April 2017 as a last minute substitute in the Wembley Final when, gloriously, the Sky Blues beat Oxford United 2-1 to win the Checkatrade Trophy and bring it back to Coventry! Josh played for the Us against City several times and has been on both losing and winning sides for them against us. He also featured in the 2019-20 League One Wembley Playoff final against Wycombe Wanderers where they were beaten and therefore failed to join Mark Robins men in the Championship. Josh moved to Huddersfield Town for the 2021-22 season after over 300 games for Oxford United over eight seasons. He was still with the Terriers last season (2023-24).
CCFC 2015-16
In 2015-16 after Mowbray’s Men won their final game of the season 2-0 at Oldham Athletic, they finished in eighth spot in League One. Champions Wigan Athletic together with runners up (by a couple of points) Burton Albion were promoted to the Championship. Going with them, after the playoffs, was sixth placed Barnsley. In descending order, Doncaster Rovers, Blackpool, Colchester United and, well adrift at the bottom of the pile, Crewe Alexandra all took the drop!
Thanks to CCFPA’s Mike Young for sourcing the images.
