Thommo makes Morecambe trip

Dave Sexton OBE R.I.P. (06/04/1930 – 25/11/2012)

The Association is very sorry to report the death today (25th November 2012) of former Coventry City Manager from 1981-1983, Dave Sexton. He was aged 82 and lived in Kenilworth.

Mr Sexton played at mainly inside forward for Luton Town, West Ham, Leyton Orient, Brighton and Crystal Palace before moving into coaching. He came to Highfield Road from Manchester United in May 1981 after long serving Sky Blues’ manager (and Association member) Gordon Milne was relieved of responsibility for playing matters. Dave came from Old Trafford with an outstanding pedigree as coach at Chelsea, Fulham and Arsenal and management experience at Leyton Orient, Chelsea (where the F.A.Cup and European Cup Winners Cup were added to the trophy cabinet) and Q.P.R.

With the Sky Blues, Dave was best a developing the Club’s young talent – he also managed the England U21 side whilst at Highfield Road – and though his teams were clearly more cultured in their approach results were patchy and City’s then Chairman, the late Iain Jamieson, asked him to leave the Club at the end of the 1982-83 season.  A fuller appreciation of Dave’s career will appear on this site in due course.

The Association extends its sincere condolences to Mr Sexton’s family and friends.

‘Cat’ creates corking commentary

Chris Cattlin, Sky Blues star from 1967-76, was the Association’s  special guest at the Ricoh for yesterday’s (24/11/2012) 1-1 home draw with Portsmouth.  The Sky Blues provided a much more progressive footballing display than for many previous home games and dominated large parts of the game making a multitude of chances. However, apart from a first half Gary McSheffrey strike they were unable to turn their domination into goals and, at the death, were caught by an extra-time sucker punch from Pompey.

Never one to be tongue-tied, this Lancastrian ‘Cat’ provided plenty of incisive and entertaining analysis for his various audiences (in the corporate lounges at the Ricoh, on the pitch at half-time, providing match commentaryon BBC CWR during the game and on the stage at Lady G’s after the game).  He is pictured above in his commentary ‘cans’ talking about the game to the radio audience. He confirmed that he had a great time in a full day as CCFPA’s guest and looks forward to returning later this season.

CCFPA’s media relations officer Frank Pritchard reports,

 “It was a privilege and a great pleasure to once again welcome Sky Blue Legend and true gentleman Chris Cattlin (and his wife Maureen) back to the Ricoh once again. He travelled up to the Midlands yesterday and stayed overnight in Leamington where they used to live.  Although he now lives in Brighton (whose Club he both played for and managed), his ‘spititual home’ most definitely resides with the Sky Blues!  He was interviewed for BBC CWR by Stuart Linnell MBE just after 2pm, briefly previewing the game and reminiscing about some of the glorious times from the late 60’s & early 70’s with the Club, and in particular his affection for our old ground, Highfield Road.

Clive, Chris and Stuart on air

‘Spider’ (as many nicknamed him) is pictured above providing matchday analysis in the press box for BBC’s Clive Eakin and Stuart Linnell .  He said he was very impressed with the overall improvement in the team since his last visit to the Ricoh back in September when we were beaten by Carlisle, although obviously very disappointed by the undeserved outcome of the game.

Following the final whistle he engaged and commiserated with some of the Sky Blues frustrated supporters who joined the ‘phone-in’ on CWR before mesmerising the audience under the lights of Lady G’s in the G-Casino when interviewed on stage by CCFPA Vice Chairman (and resident comedian) Billy Bell.  Many of Chris’s stories were fascinating, particularly those involving his former room-mate, George Curtis!   It definitely pays to get down to ‘Lady G’s’ post match after every home game to hear the incredible stories of the Association’s special guests – memories about previous players and managers that are both special and quite often unique.

Many, many thanks to Chris for the wonderful entertainment and insight into just some of the great memories of those halcyon days he provided on Saturday. We trust it will not be too long before the ‘Cat’  and his ‘good lady’ Mo return as our guest to the Club which has a special place in his heart”.

‘Spider’ to spin a Pompey Web on Saturday

CCFPA is delighted that long-standing Association Member Chris Cattlin has agreed to be our special guest at the Sky Blues’ next home game against Portsmouth on Saturday 24th November 2012. Chris is a fairly regular visitor to the Ricoh especially at the Association’s reunions and Legends Days.

‘Spider’  is a well loved and remembered Sky Blue defender having served CCFC as an adventurous and athletic left back between 1968-76. Noel Cantwell  purchased him in March 1968 for the substantial sum (in those days) of £70k from Huddersfield Town where he had made his name.  Chris eventually played 239 times for the Sky Blues including in their sole European campaign in 1970-71 (unfortunately without ever finding the opponent’s net!)  He gained two Under 23 caps for the Club before moving on to Brighton and Hove Albion in the close season of 1976.

At Brighton he also became a Club Legend and, under Alan Mullery, was twice a promotion winner in the 1970s scoring 2 goals in 114 first team appearances up to retiring in 1980. He later returned to the Goldstone in a coaching capacity just prior to being promoted to being their Manager in October 1983 (replacing Jimmy Melia). Reputedly something of a disciplinarian Chris substantially turned the club’s fortunes round leading them to within striking distance of promotion and a F.A.Cup quarter final place before being sacked (unjustly according to many Seagull’s supporters) in May 1986.  Chris still lives and has business interests in the Brighton area.

Welcome Chris! Look out for him ‘around the lounges’ at the Ricoh, on the local media and in Lady Gs in the Casino at the Ricoh after the game. This Lancastrian always has some interesting and forthright opinions about the game and CCFC, a club for whom he has considerable affection.