Leon’s ‘Fight With Life’ out soon

At the end of the month, former Coventry City forward and CCFPA member Leon McKenzie is publishing his autobiography. The 240 page book (in paperback), published by CPI Books Ltd/MacAnthony Media, is due to be available from November 29th.

Entitled ‘My Fight With Life’, Leon is one of the few sportsmen who have been brave enough to make public their brush with mental illness including depression.  Coventry News Service reports that the publishers blurb says,

“Leon McKenzie is fighting back just like the son of a boxer should. He is proof that football is not just a life of glamour and glory. It’s also a life full of stress and pressure. Leon travelled from the Premier League to prison with an attempt at suicide in between.  But now he’s a free man again. Free from jail and free enough from his mental torment to start helping others with similar problems. It’s been a fascinating and emotional journey and every time Leon has been knocked down he’s come back stronger. When knocked down he’s come back stronger.

Starting out with Crystal Palace, Croydon born Leon had loan spells with Fulham and Peterborough before achieving a reputation at the Posh as an ace marksman scoring 46 times in only 90 league appearances. Snapped up by Premier League Norwich City Leon still managed to score nearly every fourth game in the highest sphere and this encouraged Micky Adams (later to be relaced by Ian Dowie) to sign him on deadline day in August 2006.  Leon contributed 12 goals in just over 60 league appearances for the Sky Blues from 2006-09 including his 100th professional goal in the opening home game of the 2008-09 season (ironically against Norwich City).

Leon moved on to Charlton Athletic in 2009 and Northampton Town in 2010. Following a sole friendly appearance for Luton Town in 2011 Leon announced his retirement in December of that year (though he has subsequently turned out for Corby Town. Apart from becoming an author, Leon has developed his skills as a musician and released a couple of singles.

The paperback priced at £7.99 will be available from bookshops including Waterstones  in the locations near to the football clubs where Leon plied his trade.  Leon is looking to do book signing sessions at as many of these as he can. We will announce when his Coventry appearance will be when we hear.  The paperback will also be available online from the likes of Amazon, iTunes and Kindle as well as from the publisher (www.macanthonymedia.co.uk) from which further details of Leon’s signing plans (and possibly signed copies) may be obtained.

Gibbo Sees the Irony

Ian Gibson, our special guest at the home match last Saturday against Scunthorpe United was his usual irrepressible self.  Star of the 1960s Sky Blues revolution ‘Gibbo’ watched the Sky Blues succumb 1-2 to the Irons after taking the lead in a match containing much controversy.

Ian was entertaining and insightful in equal measure as he talked in public to CCFPA’s Billy Bell  in the Legends Lounge and other corporate areas prior to the game and was broadcast during the game providing running match analysis for Clive Eakin in BBC CWR’s matchday coverage of the game.  Gibbo had much to say, both positive and critical, about the Sky Blues’ struggle to climb away from the basement of the League One table and his comments on what was generally agreed to be a poor performance from the match officials was expressed with both clarity and typical humour.

Ian met a number of former player colleagues from the 1960s at the game and also chatted to several CCFPA committee members including chairman Jim Brown, Mike Young and Frank Pitchard and the encounter with Frank  (pictured below) stimulated particular mutual memories for Ian of nearly half a century ago.

Frank reports that he reminded Ian of the Christmas raffle they both bought tickets for in the “Sky Blue Club” (under the Highfield Road Main Stand) that was run by ‘Ma & Pa Hill’! Frank reckons he was  about 19 or 20 years old at the time and won a ‘brace’ of pheasants. Ian also won a bottle of port and a bottle of sherry in the raffle and so Frank suggested a swap to “Gibbo” and he said ‘yes’!

Gibbo (right) with Frank

Frank says “I just wouldn’t have known what to do with the pheasants but the port and sherry came in very handy over both the Christmas and New Year celebrations. They were some great times and wonderful memories, oh for a return to those days right now”.

Despite the result Ian thoroughly enjoyed the day and we look forward to his next visit!

Ronnie Waldock tied to the Association

Ronnie (left) with Bob

One of CCFPA’s Players Liaison Officers Bob Bromage recently paid a visit at his Leeds home to one of our veteran members from the 1950s Ronnie Waldock. A native of Heanor (like fellow CCFPA member Lol Harvey) inside left Ronnie joined the Bantams as a youngster from Loscoe Youth Club in February 1950  but had to wait until season 1952-53 to make his debut, a 0-2 defeat at the Den against Millwall on 27th September.

Ron in 1952-53

Though a useful player Ronnie could not command a regular first team place yet scored ten goals in his 29 league and cup appearances for CCFC before attempting to make the grade at Sheffield United in May 1954. He was much more successful, however, at his next club Scunthorpe, scoring 45 goals in 92 league matches From 1957. Ronnie’s career also took in Plymouth Argyle, Middlesbrough and Gillingham before dropping down to non league Margate in 1964.

Bob tells us that Ronnie who is nearly 80 is still in good form and made him very welcome imparting many fond memories of his time at Highfield Road. Evidently he enjoys keeping in touch via our regular newsletters and was keen to hear more about others of our members he remembered like Lol, Billy Gray, Trevor Lewis, Peter Hill and Colin Collindridge.

Bob took the opportunity to present Ronnie with his official Association tie which he promises to bring with him when he and his son Tim first visit us at the Ricoh, which we hope will be later this season.

Barry, Gerry & Peaky enjoy the November 3-goal Ricoh Experience

Barry (right) and Billy

As previously announced our special guest at last Saturday’s F.A. Cup home game (3rd November) against Southern League Arlesey Town was mid-seventies Sky Blue attacking midfield star Barry Powell.  Barry said he had a very enjoyable day at the Ricoh and was pleased to see the Sky Blues (eventually) cruise to a three goals to nil victory. He toured the corporate lounges at the Arena after being entertained to lunch (and is pictured right) being interviewed in the Legends Lounge by Billy Bell, vice chairman of the Association (a friendly grilling recreated later, after the match, on the stage of Lady G’s in the Casino).

Barry also was welcomed by the half-time crowd on the Ricoh pitch where he drew the Club’s raffle and was also the match day guest of BBC C&WR where during the game he treated listeners to match analysis and comment on the game drawing upon his extensive knowledge and experience, both as a player and coach.

Gerry with Jim Brown (left), Billy Bell (right) and Bob Bromage (behind)

As well as the ‘Legends Lounge Frequent Flyers’ – former players who are regular attenders at home games – the Association was also delighted to welcome a rarer visitor to games at Coventry, Gerry Baker, who played mostly at no.8 at Highfield Road for the Sky Blues from 1967-70. A United States international Gerry was signed from Ipswich Town by new manager Noel Cantwell and, before stepping down to play for Margate United, had scored 6 times in 34 appearances for the Sky Blues. Gerry, also had a great time meeting former colleagues and is pictured above right with several members of the CCFPA Committee in the Casino after the game.

Last Tuesday night’s 3-1 victory over Crawley Town (6th November) saw 1986-87 F.A. Cup winning hero Trevor Peake join us as our special guest for this game with the high flying West Sussex outfit.  Trevor who retains a soft spot for CCFC despite being a successful Academy coach with M69 rivals Leicester City was also pleased to perform exactly the same duties as undertaken by Barry and received the same very warm welcome from former colleagues and fans alike.  We are delighted that ‘Peakey’ also saw a triplet of home goals from the Sky Blues and we hope that Ian Gibson, next Saturday’s guest for the Scunthorpe United home game at the Ricoh, will also be able to witness a hat-trick of home trebles and the Sky Blues start to climb the League One table!