Matchday Memories: On This Day 1991 – See Sky Blue Gally’s Goal Hit Hammers Hard In London
Gally in Sky Blue action
On this day (5th October) in 1991 sixth placed Sky Blues, a week after after a heartening 1-0 win at Highfield Road against ‘old rivals’ Aston Villa last time out were in South London for an away fixture at West Ham United hoping for more of the same. CCFC gaffer Terry Butcher, later (in January 1992) to be sacked and replaced by assistant Don Howe, saw his side do exactly that against the lowly Hammers together with 21,817 fans that had turned up to the Boleyn.
Nuddy in action
Two of the stars of the City’s 1-0 win in the capital were directly involved in the goal. CCFPA’s 300th member signing Peter Ndlovu, who had just been voted ‘Zimbabwean Player Of The Year’ set it up with a cross. City’s skilful Scottish striker Kevin Gallacher provided the execution just nine minutes from the final whistle! Former Hammer’s favourite Stewart Robson ran the show from midfield for City as his former club, managed by Billy Bonds, looked so lacklustre that they looked good bets to make a quick return back to the second tier. The Sky Blues Andy Pearce also had a stormer in the heart of the City defence. All four bolded players are now Association members.
Thanks to former CCFPA committee member Dean Nelson you can watch the goal action by clicking on the link or image below:-
Terry in the Sky Blue
Terry Butcher‘s Sky Blues (CCFPA members are underlined) were represented by:-
Steve Ogrizovic, Brian Borrows, Peter Billing, Stewart Robson, Andy Pearce, Peter Atherton, Lloyd McGrath, Micky Gynn, Paul Furlong (sub. Robert Rosario -1), Kevin Gallacher and Peter Ndlovu (sub. Dean Emerson -2)
Stewart Robson, Sky Blues Player of the season
The Hammers put out the following side:-
Ludek Miklosko, Tim Breacker, Mitchell Thomas (sub. Clive Allen -2), Tony Gale, Kenny Brown, George Parris, Ian Bishop (c), Stuart Slater, Steve Small, Steve Potts, Trevor Morley (sub. Kevin Keen) Referee: P.Foakes
The Sky Blues slid down the table after a good first half to the season to finish just above the trap door in nineteenth, but the Hammers fared much worse and with them fighting relegation at the end of April the Sky Blues (now under Don Howe) put another nail in their coffin by completing the ‘double’ at Highfield Road with another 1-0 win thanks to a 44th minute goal from Micky Gynn.
CCFC 1991-92
For the record, Leeds United were the 1991-92 Division One Champions four points clear of runners up Manchester United.
The teams beneath the Sky Blues and therefore relegated were, in declining order, Luton Town, Notts. County and at the very bottom, today’s opponents West Ham United.
Thanks to CCFPA’s Mike Young (& Dean Nelson) for sourcing the images.
