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F.A.Cup Legends to take on Spurs again

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Keith Houchen's stunning FA Cup Final goal

Higham FC are in the process of bringing together a number of CCFPA’s former players who starred in the Sky Blues famous 3-2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in May 1987 to take on veterans of the ‘Spurs side in a replay for Charity this summer. The game which will take place at Bedworth United‘s Oval ground on Sunday July 10th (kickoff 2pm).

The Sky Blues team (coordinated by Association member David Busst) is hoped to feature as many as 7 or 8 of the original F.A. Cup squad including hopefully Cyrille Regis, Dave Bennett, Steve Ogrizovic, Trevor Peake and Micky Gynn. Also in the process of being lined up for possible appearances during the day are the likes of John Williams, Noel Whelan, Claus Jorgensen and Steve Morgan (all Association members).  The Tottenham team (coordinated by Tony Galvin) have invited such Spurs luminaries as Gary Mabbutt and Glen Hoddle who it is hoped may attend the day.

The Higham club are also hosting a dinner at the Ricoh Arena prior to the game at which the respective teams will be guest of honour. Tables of ten at the dinner can be purchased for £500. Further details of the event and sponsorship opportunities (for the Sky Blues team, tables or the match) can be got from Higham FC Chairman Andy Gilroy on 01455611080 or 07915067760 or on andrew@gilroy48@freeserve.co.uk.

The Spurs veterans have selected Macmillan Cancer support for their nominated charity and the Sky Blues’ aces will play for WaterAid (for whom big Cyrille acts an ambassador). It should make a great day out and help many a supporter of the Sky Blues Legends bring back warm memories of a wonderful day.

May 1, 2011 · Tagged with

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Ben Turner is CCFPA’s Player of the Year

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As a fitting end to the season the Sky Blues’ central defender Ben Turner was proclaimed Coventry City Former Players Association’s ‘Player of the Year’ at a presentation after the reading game in the G-Casino at the Ricoh.

Ben Turner & Billy Bell

Ben presented with the CCFPA award by Ian Bell (right)

Ben who had been out injured for much of the second half of the season was introduced to fans in Lady Gs by the Association’s Billy Bell and was presented with the award on the stage by ‘Coventry kid’ and England star cricketer Ian Bell (no relation!).

Ben said he was proud to receive the award especially given the fact he had not been able to feature for the Sky Blues in much of the season since a bad leg injury in November 2010. Billy paid tribute to Ben’s storming performances in the heart of the Sky Blues defence, to his leadership qualities as well as his being able to chip in with some vital goals in the early part of the season. The award was richly deserved and the Sky Blues would surely have finished much higher up the table if Ben had been able to make a bigger contribution to the season. The fans in Lady G’s who had voted for the award over the season gave Ben a rousing reception.

In honour of Ian Bell’s somewhat dubious support of the Birmingham side  Ben and Billy then led the multitude in  a chorus of a a somewhat scurrilous song about City’s arch rivals Aston Villa!

May 1, 2011 · Tagged with

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The ‘Four Musketeers’ hope to herald new Sky Blue era

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A host of Former Players from several playing eras graced the Ricoh yesterday (including Ian Goodwin, Lol Harvey, John Williams, Dave Bennett, Micky Gynn, Claus Jorgensen, Peter Wyer, Lol Harvey and Brian Nicholas) and watched the Sky Blues make a draw against play-off challengers Reading on a glorious sunny day at the Arena on Saturday 30 April 2011.

This was also a day particularly poignant for all our Former Players of the 1960s (anf the fans that remember those days) because the club was introducing its new 2011-12 playing kit at the game – a strip which pays homage to the very beginnings of the Sky Blue era nearly fifty years ago when Jimmy Hill‘s innovative management style and visionary football showmanship helped propel the club to the heights of top division football from the depths of the soccer basement.

Dietmar Bruck

Bob Wesson

Ron & his No.6 original

Our ‘Four Musketeers’ of the 60s- Ronnie Farmer, Bob Wesson, Ernie Machin and Association special guest Dietmar Bruck were invited by CCFC and CCFPA to play an important part in the launch, in the club shop and corporate lounges before the game – fittingly being interviewed by the Association’s Billy Bell in the ‘Legends Lounge’ (pictured above).  Ronnie brought along his lovingly preserved original No.6 shirt and socks from the 1960s for all to compare with the new version. The sixties stars then led the ‘reveal’ of new strip on the Ricoh pitch prior to teams (with CCFC wearing the new strip for the first time) coming out for the club’s last home game of the season.

The four were guests of honour in watching the entertaining goalless draw before joining the Association’s Billy Bell and Sky Blue fans in Lady Gs at the Ricoh Casino and helping those assembled to finish of the season with a rousing chorus of the Sky Blue song (pictured below).  All four spoke of their delight at seeing the players wearing the new kit; about memories of the clubs glory years climbing through the leagues, their sole European campaign in the early 1970s and winning the F.A.Cup nearly 25 years ago. 

Ernie Machin

Dietmar, Ron & Bob on stage with Billy Bell

As Ernie Machin (who despite being in indifferent health made a big effort to attend) watched his 3 friends on the stage of Lady Gs  Bob Wesson, in particular, spoke with passion telling Billy and the fans that seeing the traditional Sky Blue strip once again on the playing field ‘brought tears to my eyes.’

It was an emotional occasion and a fitting (and optimistic) end to what has been another challenging and unpredictable season!

May 1, 2011 · Tagged with

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