Matchday Memories: On This Day 2006 – Sky Blue Thornton Tames Tigers In Their Lair
Sky Blue Manager Micky
On this day (26th August) in 2006 the Sky Blues, for the time being managed by former player Micky Adams, continued their Championship season not having won in four games since their opener at the Ricoh against Sunderland. Two defeats and a draw in the league and getting knocked out of the League Cup at Hereford United did not bode well for today’s game against the Tigers in Hull.
Kevin Thornton in the Sky Blue
Nevertheless, the Sky Blues manufactured a 1-0 victory over Hull City thanks to fine goalkeeping from Andy Marshall and a late goal from young sub. Kevin Thornton (both now CCFPA members) just five minutes from the final whistle. Many of the 16,145 crowd immediately headed for the exits as the Tigers again failed to register their first league win of the season.
Andy in the Sky Blue Yellow
This win proved to be the first part of a City double over Hull this season as they beat the Tigers again on 3rd March 2007 at the Ricoh thanks to a 21st minute penalty from Michael Doyle and a 34th minute strike from Leon McKenzie (both now Association members).
Michael Doyle Coventry City
A contemporary report from BBC Sport including interviews with both managers can be found here.
Micky’s men lined up as follows (CCFPA members underlined):-
Leon McKenzie in the Sky Blue
Andy Marshall, Matt Heath, Marcus Hall, Robert Page, Elliott Ward, Stephen Hughes, Chris Birchall, Michael Doyle (Don Hutchison -90), Kevin Kyle, Stern John (‘Dele Adebola -60) and Colin Cameron (Kevin Thornton -60)
Unused Substitutes: Andy Whing and Isaac Osbourne
Sam in the Sky Blue
Phil Parkinson‘s Tigers took to the field as follows:-
Boaz Myhill, Sam Ricketts, Michael Turner, Sam Collins, Andy Dawson, Craig Fagan, Dean Marney, David Livermore, Ryan France, Jon Parkin (Ben Burgess -66) and Darryl Duffy (Nick Barmby -66). Unused Substitutes: Matt Duke, John Welsh and Alton Thelwell.
Referee: N.Swarbrick (Lancashire).
As far as the Championship season was concerned there was little to write home about, the Sky Blues were, at best, a mid table side. Micky was sacked in January after City were knocked out of the F.A.Cup at home by Bristol City in the Third Round. Iain Dowie took over the following month (after Adrian Heath had looked after the shop as caretaker) and seventeenth place safety was achieved.
CCFC 2006-07
Thanks to CCFPA’s Mike Young for sourcing the images.
