Matchday Memories: On This Day 1994 – See Leeds (Fielding Four Future Sky Blues) Lose To City
Cobi in the Sky Blue
On this day (17th September) in 1994 the Sky Blues were managed by Phil Neal and the Premier League season had not started well for City. With three defeats and a couple of draws in their first five games the Sky Blues were desperate for their first win of the season. Their opponents at Highfield Road were Leeds United fresh from their victory over Manchester United so a tough game was to be anticipated.
Dion in the Sky Blue
Cobi Jones, our new signing from the USA was, at last, given his debut this afternoon and proved instrumental in City’s 2-1 victory over the Yorkshiremen. There were a number of future Sky Blue connections in the Leeds team today. Gordon Strachan moved to Highfield Road in March and later became the Sky Blues gaffer (1996-2001). United’s captain today Gary McAllister also came to the Sky Blues as ‘skipper (1996-2000) and later ‘gaffer’ whilst WGS‘s now fellow CCFPA member Noel Whelan provided goals and flair to the Sky Blues from 1995-2000. Lastly, Carlton Palmer featured in the Sky Blues defence 1999-2001 and is now also an Association member.
Paul in the Sky Blue 1995
There was no score at half time and it took a glancing header five minutes after the break from newly appointed Sky Blue skipper Dion Dublin (now a CCFPA member) to break the deadlock. City’s passion outweighed United’s endeavour ultimately and the killer goal came with seven minutes to go from a penalty. United’s substitute Chris Fairclough tripped Cobi in the box after a typically mazy run from the American allowing (now CCFPA member) Paul Cook to confidently put the ball past John Lukic to put CCFC 2-0 up. There was still time for United’s Gary Speed to pop one in to make the last five minutes tenser than it would otherwise have been but the Sky Blues held on for their first win of the 1994-95 campaign.
Thanks to former CCFPA committee member Dean Nelson you can watch the goal highlights by clicking on the image below:-
The teams lined up as follows:-
Phil Neal‘s Sky Blues : (CCFPA members underlined)
Steve Ogrizovic, Ally Pickering, Steve Morgan, Willie
Noel in the Sky Blue
Jonathan Gould
Howard Wilkinson‘s Leeds team lined up:-
John Lukic, Gary Kelly, Nigel Worthington, Gary McAllister (c), David Wetherall (sub. Chris Fairclough), Carlton Palmer, Gordon Strachan, Noel Whelan, Rod Wallace, Phil Masinga (sub. John Pemberton) and Gary Speed. Referee:- B.Hill
In mid March Leeds took the Sky Blues to the cleaners at Elland Road beating us 3-0 with our goalie (now an Association member) Jonathan Gould palming in an own goal.
The Sky Blues finished their 1994-95 season in sixteenth place in the Premiership five points clear of the relegation zone after CCFPA member ‘Big Ron’ Atkinson had taken over from Phil Neal.
CCFC 1994-95
Leeds United finished fifth, well behind on points from the Premier League Champions Blackburn Rovers who pipped Manchester United for the title by a point.
The relegated quartet this season was nineteenth placed Crystal Palace followed by Norwich City, Leicester City and, bottom of the pile, Ipswich Town.
