Almost There! JH Tribute Appeal Approaching Target

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Kevin Heffernan, Jimmy Hill Tribute Appeal chairman and JH earlier this season.

Association Committee member and JH Appeal Chairman Kevin Heffernan  has just released the following press release containing welcome news about the Jimmy Hill Tribute Appeal:- 

“The Jimmy Hill Tribute Appeal has moved within touching distance of reaching its fund raising goal after a £12,000 donation from the Professional Footballers Association.

The PFA, whose chief executive Gordon Taylor is a member of the tribute appeal’s committee, donated the cheque in recognition of the many years of service dedicated to the organisation and the pioneering changes made by Sky Blues legend Hill during his time as chairman of the PFA.

As a result, the appeal requires just £25,000 to complete the project and sculptor Nicholas Dimbleby has already begun drawing potential designs for the statue which should be in place by the time the Ricoh Arena hosts Olympic football matches in 2012.

The appeal has also received generous donations in the form of building materials from local suppliers which means the total amount required to erect the statue has fallen well below the original estimated cost of £150,000.

Once complete, the statue will be positioned outside the main entrance to the Ricoh Arena and remain as a permanent reminder of the achievements of the former Sky Blues manager and chairman.

Kevin Heffernan, Jimmy Hill Tribute Appeal chairman, said: “This donation from the PFA outlines the national significance of this appeal. It has also helped us to get to a point where local interest and support for this project can take us over the finishing line. Over the next few weeks if supporters pop into their local branch of Coventry Building Society and make a donation they can help us to bring this to a very happy and successful conclusion. Jimmy is a man of the people, a fans’ favourite, and so it is apt that the supporters will be ultimately responsible for this statue being built.”

Donations are accepted by cash or cheque at any Coventry Building Society Branch and by cheques made out to the Jimmy Hill Tribute Appeal and posted to Godiva House, Binley Business Park, Coventry. CV3 2TQ.

Online bank transfers can also be made to the Jimmy Hill Tribute Appeal using account number 44715278 and sort code 40-63-01.

The appeal fund will remain open until further notice, with any excess donations being put towards a football scholarship with the Sky Blues Academy for a young Coventry-born footballer.”

If you can please help the Appeal reach its target by sending a donation (however small) in one of the ways suggested above

For further information on this press release please contact: Simon Gilbert. Advent Communications
T: 02476 633636       F: 02476 634906        E: sgilbert@advent-communications.co.uk

Alan Brazil joins the Association

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Alan with Kevin (left) and Jim (right)

We are very pleased to announce that we have signed up Alan Brazil as a member of the Association. 

Scottish International Alan began his illustrious career in his home country with Drumchapel Amateurs and Celtic Boys before achieving fame over 6 years from 1977 with the resurgent Ipswich Town. Spells at Spurs and Manchester United followed. Alan came to Coventry in January 1986 (with Terry Gibson going the other way) and in his relatively brief spell with the Sky Blues scored twice in his 15 Division One appearances (including on his debut against Newcastle United). 

Alan signs for the FPA

Alan moved on to Q.P.R. at the end of the season and was forced to retire from top level football due to a back injury in May 1987. A few non league appearances followed as well as games for Australian and Swiss clubs. However since retirement most fans will be now be aware of him as a former player with both trenchant and humorous views which have made him a succesful broadcaster (Talk Radio) and autobiographical  author. 

Committee members Jim Brown and Kevin Heffernan caught up with Alan (pictured) at the recent CCFC Diamond Club meeting where Alan was guest of honour along with fellow Association member Ian Wallace. Welcome Alan – we look forward to seing you at the Ricoh again for a Sky Blues home game in the near future! 

Blast from the Past: 1966-67 Championship Reunion

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Div 2 Champions 1966-7 Team Reunion 2007

We thought you might like to be reminded of the Reunion organised at the Ricoh in 2007 by CCFC assisted by the CCFPA which brought together members of the 1966-67 Sky Blue squad which took the City to the very top by winning the Division Two Championship. This photo which recently came to light has not appeared on this site before. Pictured above are Sky Blue players and officials of this momentous season holding their commemorative awards:-   (from left to right) Back Row:   John Mitten; Mick Kearns; John Key; Norman Pilgrim (physio); George Curtis (captain); Jimmy Hill (Manager); Ron Farmer; Benny Glover; Alan Dicks (Assistant Manager) Front RowJohn Tudor; Ian Gibson; Bobby Gould & Brian Hill