Matchday Memories: On This Day 1986 – New City Strip Sees Sky Blues Watford Win
George Curtis
John Sillett
On this day (27th September) in 1986 the Sky Blues had a wonderful Wembley Day in May to look forward to (but they didn’t know it yet)! The Sky Blues were managed by a former defence player managerial partnership with George Curtis and team coach John Sillett in charge then and, sadly, both now in ‘sky blue heaven’.
They had picked a team to take on Watford at Highfield Road in their eighth Division One game of the season. They had won three, drawn three and only lost one league match so far (their season’s opener by the only goal at West Ham United). Sky Blues confidence was begin to build again with these results though crowds were somewhat slow in trickling back.
Big Cyrille in charge
Benno Battles
Cyrille Regis puts Coton under pressure
Today, in front of an H.R. crowd of 11,074 they would win again, albeit by just the one goal scored in the 56th minute by Dave Bennett after some typical magical individualism.
Benno wheels away delighted after his goal
‘Benno’ (now an Association committee member), of course, would go on to personal glory in May scoring on the hallowed turf to help the Sky Blues beat Tottenham Hotspur 3-2 after extra time.
Of note was that the Sky Blues took the field for the first time wearing shirts bearing the name of new shirt sponsors ‘Granada Social Clubs’. The new strip might have brought another win but the Sky Blues’ dominance deserved a win by a bigger margin in an entertaining game!
The graphic below portrays the competing teams. The Hornets were managed by Graham Taylor and the referee was Mr Roger Milford. The only substitution was in the second half when Brian Talbot came on for Luther Blissett in the Watford side.
Sky Blue Kevin Richardson
We are delighted to report that all members of the Sky Blues management team and the eleven on the pitch later went on to join CCFPA. Watford‘s Kevin Richardson would later join the Sky Blues between 1995-97!
Keith ‘Roy of the Rovers’ Houchen in the Sky Blue
The Sky Blues did the ‘double’ over the Hornets this season overcoming Watford by the odd goal in five at Vicarage Road at the end of April. City’s goalscorers then were Greg Downs, Keith Houchen and Lloyd McGrath (all later Wembley heroes)
CCFC 1986-87
Leicester City (20th), Manchester City (21st) and ‘the auld enemy’ Aston Villa, who were plumb bottom eight points from safety, were the relegated clubs. Everton won the title well clear (nine points) of their home city rivals Liverpool!
Thanks to CCFPA’s Mike Young (& Dean Nelson) for sourcing the images.
