Matchday Memories: On This Day 1990 – See Snoz’s Sky Blues Turf Trotters Out Of League Cup

John Sillett- Sky Blue ‘gaffer’

On this day (26th September) in 1990 the Sky Blues were facing Bolton Wanderers in a League Cup second round first leg match at Highfield Road. Former Sky Blue full back (and CCFPA member)the late John Sillett was still the manager at this point (Terry Butcher took over in November) and under Snoz’s leadership the Sky Blues had only won one Division One league match so far. The League (Rumbelow’s) Cup tie proved a welcome distraction. Coincidentally, future Sky Blue gaffer Phil Neal was the Trotters ‘gaffer’ at this time and future Sky Blue (a fairly recent Association recruit) Julian Darby (1993-95) was in their forward line.

Micky in the Sky Blue

The Wanderers ‘gave it a good go’ and led twice thanks to a brace from Tony Philliskirk (on 31 and 54 minutes). Young Sky Blues defender  (and now CCFPA member) David Titterton making his debut was injured and had to be substituted after only fourteen minutes. His replacement (and now fellow CCFPA member) Kevin MacDonald struggled against Bolton’s speedy No.7 Stuart Storer. The Sky Blues were therefore relieved when (another CCFPA member now) Micky Gynn slotted home after 36 minutes to equalise to send the teams in at half-time all square.

Kevin in his playing days

Philliskirk’s second was neutralised by a Sky Blue goal from CCFPA member Kevin Gallacher after 65 minutes. The game was finely balanced until the Wanderers’ centre-half Dean Crombie was red carded for a professional foul after 77 minutes. This proved to be the turning point as CCFPA member Steve Livingstone took a hand and exploited the hole left by the sending off with two goals.

Steve in the Sky Blue

Steve’s first was only two minutes after Bolton went down to ten men and the coup-de-grace was applied in the 92nd minute to produce a final score of 4-2 to the City.

The second round victory was confirmed by a second leg Sky Blue 3-2 victory at Bolton on the 9th October. Tony Philliskirk got another brace (a goal at the end of each half) but so did Cyrille Regis and Big Cyrille’s fellow CCFPA member Kevin Gallacher got a solo. 

The goals from this day’s game, courtesy of former CCFPA committee member Dean Nelson can be seen by clicking on the link or the image below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zopIAKOXcLY

The Sky Blues team that day was (CCFPA members underlined):-

Steve Ogrizovic, Brian Borrows, David Titterton (sub. Kevin MacDonald -14), Jose Perdomo, Brian Kilcline, Trevor Peake, Kevin Gallacher, Micky Gynn, the late Cyrille Regis, Steve Livingstone and David Smith.

The Trotters Team lined up:-

David Felgate, Phil Brown, David Burke, Scott Green, Dean Crombie, Mark Seagraves, Stuart Storer (later manager of Bedworth United), Steve Thompson, David Reeves, Tony Philliskirk and Julian Darby    Referee:- J.Deakin

CCFC 1990-91 under John Sillett

CCFC got to the quarter finals of this Cup in 1990-91 eventually being knocked out by Sheffield Wednesday by the only goal of the game at Highfield Road. This had followed removing both Hull City (3-0) and, in an exciting ding-dong, Nottingham Forest (5-4) both at home in the previous rounds.

In the league Terry Butcher‘s men finished that Division One season well clear (ten points) off relegation in sixteenth spot. Sunderland and bottom club Derby County were the fall-guys. Despite having a point deducted Arsenal still took the Division One title by seven points from Liverpool.  The Trotters finished fourth in Division Three and made the play off final at Wembley but lost 1-0 to Tranmere Rovers.

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