Matchday Memories: On This Day 1988 – See Sky Blues Success But Charlton’s ‘Keeper Crocked

John Sillett CCFC gaffer

Thirty six years ago today (17th September) in 1988, in their third game of the Division One season, former Sky Blue full-back turned ‘gaffer’ (the late, great) John Sillett picked a team to take on Charlton Athletic at Highfield Road. After a 1-0 home defeat in their opener against Everton and an encouraging 2-1 win at Hillsborough over Sheffield Wednesday the previous Saturday expectations were high. However, the 11,859 fans in Highfield Rd grew impatient with the Sky Blues’ inability to find the net in the first half, especially after the injury to the Addicks’ goalkeeper Bob Bolder‘s finger which eventually forced him to go off, being substituted by centre-forward Steve Gritt.

Gary in action

David in the Sky Blue

‘Sills’ must have read the riot act during the interval as the Sky Blues second half display was much improved against the disrupted away side. The second half was one way traffic towards the South London side’s goal with Gritt and the rest of the Addicks’ defence sorely tested. The Sky Blues eventually finished winners by three clear goals!

CCFPA member David Speedie relished his new role and big Cyrille Regis (both later CCFPA members) looked confident setting up two of the Sky Blue goals.

Sky Blue winger (and CCFPA member) David Smith contributed a brace on 57 and 75 minutes each side of a solo from Gary Bannister on 71 minute.

You can watch the goals again courtesy of former CCFPA committee member Dean Nelson by clicking on the image below:-

Big Cyrille goes close

The two teams lined up as follows:-

Sky Blues:

Steve Ogrizovic, Brian Borrows, Greg Downs, Steve Sedgley, Brian Kilcline, Trevor Peake, Micky Gynn, David Speedie, the late Cyrille Regis, Gary Bannister and David Smith.

Apart from Gary all the players above went on to join CCFPA.

Charlton Athletic (managed by Lenny Lawrence): 

Bob Bolder (sub. Steve Gritt -30), John Humphrey, Mark Reid, Stephen Mackenzie, Peter Shirtliff, Paul Miller, Rob Lee, Paul A. Williams, Steve Gritt (sub. Andy Peake -30), Carl Leaburn and Mark Stuart (sub. Dave Campbell -46)      Referee:- D.Allinson

The Addicks Paul Williams was the only one of the three professional footballers of the same name who didn’t feature for the Sky Blues!

CCFC 1988-89

The 3-0 win took the City to ninth spot in an encouraging season where they eventually finished in seventh place. The two teams had fought out a goalless draw in the return at the Valley in late March. The Addicks finished in fourteenth but only three points clear of the drop. This was a fate suffered by Middlesbrough (18th), West Ham United (19th) and, bottom of the pile, Newcastle United.

In a very tight race at the top Arsenal took the title on goal average from Liverpool!

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