Matchday Memories: On This Day 1978 – Sky Blue Micks Make Merry For Milnes’ Men At ‘Spurs
Gordon the ‘gaffer’ in City’s infamous brown strip
On this day (30th September) in 1978 the Sky Blues under manager Gordon Milne went into their eighth Divison One game of the new season beaten only once and came out at the end of the ninety minutes in the same condition! After wins at Middlesbrough in the season’s opener and later at Derby County and, after a home draw against Nottingham Forest in their first Highfield Road fixture, they had whacked Norwich City 4-1 and Chelsea 3-2 there!
Their first and only defeat so far came 1-0 at Liverpool‘s Anfield followed, last time out by a goalless draw at home to Leeds United. Today’s away game against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane saw another draw, this time by one each with two late-ish goals. Former City player (and CCFPA member) Jimmy Holmes was in the ‘Spurs side as the Sky Blues wore their (in)famous brown strip.
Tommy Hutch in action
‘Spurs Ricky Villa was out injured, but his Argentinian partner in crime Ossie Ardiles was playing a talented home side greeted by a ticker-tape welcome! The game was largely stalemated with no goals at half time and defences on top for most of the second half. The ‘Spurs fans in the 35,806 crowd demanded change in the form of the introduction of Glenn Hoddle off the bench and it did not take long for their talisman to make a difference, scoring , after a mazy run, with ten minutes left.
Mick in the Sky Blue
The Sky Blues were not to be outdone, however, and our big centre-forward Mick Ferguson produced the perfect riposte just four minutes later with an emphatic header from a cross delivered by (now fellow CCFPA member) Mick Coop! The 1-1 draw saw City drop one place to fourth.
Ian Wallace leaps
Milne’s Men lined up as follows (CCFPA members underlined):-
The late Les Sealey, Mick Coop, Bobby McDonald, Terry Yorath, the late Jim Holton, Gary Gillespie, Steve Hunt, Ian Wallace, Mick Ferguson, Barry Powell (sub. John Beck) and Tommy Hutchison
Keith Burkinshaw‘s ‘Spurs lined up as follows:-
Barry Daines, Don McAllister, John Gorman, Jimmy Holmes, John Lacey, Steve Perryman, Gerry Armstrong (sub. Glen Hoddle), Ossie Ardiles, Colin Lee, John Pratt and Gordon Taylor Referee:- H.Robinson
‘Spurs had the better of the results over the Sky Blues this season beating us 3-1 back at Highfield Road in the return in February (Bobby McDonald got our initial equaliser). However, the Sky Blues had the bragging rights by the end of the season finishing in the top half in tenth position whilst the Londoners were one place (and three points) behind.
CCFC 1978-79
For the record it was Liverpool‘s title this season finishing fully eight points ahead of runners up Nottingham Forest. The three relegated teams were Queens Park Rangers, City’s fairly recent landlords Birmingham City and bottom of the pile Chelsea.
