Matchday Memories: On This Day 1973 – Saints Skinned As Sky Blues Hold Hundred % H.R. Record
Mick in action
Tommy Hutchinson in the Sky Blue
On this day (8th September) in 1973 The Sky Blues under Gordon Milne remained in the Division One top six with their third successive home win from the season’s start, this time against Southampton. On the opening Saturday of the season ‘Spurs had been dispatched in front of more than 25,000 at Highfield Road by the only goal of the game scored by CCFPA member Mick Coop. Then three days later reigning League Champions, Bill Shankly‘s Liverpool were put to the sword thanks to a goal from Tommy Hutchison. An away 2-2 draw at Burnley followed followed by the City’s only defeat so far in midweek at Maine Road, the home of Manchester City thanks to a lone Rodney Marsh penalty.
Alan Green in the Sky Blue
This day’s game at H.R. against the Saints was watched by 19,416 fans and the Sky Blue Army saw the Sky Blues prevail 2-0 after a fairly dull first forty five minutes. The turning point came a minute into the second half when the Saints’ Robert McCarthy toppled Tommy Hutchison in the box and ‘Mr. Dependable’ from the spot (and Hutch’s now fellow CCFPA member) Mick Coop stepped up to convert the penalty chance coolly.
Twenty minutes later little Alan Green latched on to a studied through ball from fellow Sky Blue (and CCFPA member) Dennis Mortimer and beat Saints goalie Eric Martin low down to double the Sky Blues score and ensure both points. After the game Saints’ Manager designate Laurie McMenemy sportingly accepted the blame for his team’s defeat and their mean spirited and dour approach to the game. The Sky Blues went fourth in the table.
Gordon Milne-CCFC gaffer
Gordon Milne put out the following Sky Blues team:-
Bill Glazier, Mick Coop, Jim Holmes, Dennis Mortimer, John Craven*, Alan Dugdale, Wilf Smith, Brian Alderson*, Colin Stein Alan Green (sub. ‘Ernie’ Hunt*) and Tommy Hutchison
We are pleased to report that apart from John and Brian who both sadly passed away (*) at a relatively early age before having a chance to join us, every member of the team and their gaffer later joined this Association.
Eric Martin, Robert McCarthy, Tony Byrne, Hugh Fisher, John McGrath (sub. Steve Mills), David Walker, Terry Paine, Mick Channon, Paul Gilchrist, Brian O’Neill and Bobby Stokes Referee:- E.Jolly
In the last game of the year (29th December) the Sky Blues travelled down to the Dell and came back with a 1-1 draw thanks to a 79th minute John Craven equaliser.
The Sky Blues could not sustain their wonderful start to the season and eventually slipped to sixteenth in Division One by season’s end but not as far as their opponents on this day!
CCFC 1973-74
However the Sky Blues did have a great run to the Quarter Finals of the League Cup eventually going out to Manchester City by 2-4 at Maine Road. The other Manchester club, United went down that season just above bottom club Norwich City and today’s opponents, twentieth placed Southampton.
Liverpool were runners up to Champions Leeds United at the top.
Thanks to CCFPA’s Mike Young (& Dean Nelson) for sourcing the images.
