Matchday Memories: On This Day 1978 – CCFC Claim Chelsea Win In Five Goal Cracker

Sky Blue Manager Gordon

On this day (9th September) in 1978 the Sky Blues under manager Gordon Milne went into their fifth Division One game of the new season unbeaten and came out at the end of the ninety minutes in the same condition! After wins at Middlesbrough in the season’s opener and later at Derby County and, after a home draw against Nottingham Forest in their last Highfield Road fixture, they had whacked Norwich City 4-1! Today’s home game was against the Blues of Chelsea and the Sky Blues produced another wonderful 3-2 victory in front of 24,618.

Ian in the Sky Blue

In an exciting game, future Sky Blue Tommy Langley gave the away team the lead after seventeen minutes, but it only took another seven minutes for the Sky Blues goal ace (and later CCFPA member) Ian Wallace to equalise. The Blues, who looked a strong outfit, went in at half time in the lead thanks to the their new £165k signing from Everton, Duncan McKenzie who nipped in to score a minute after the half hour mark.

The Sky Blues roared out of the blocks in the second period. For twenty five minutes in the second half the Sky Blues apparently played like world beaters and could even have scored more than they did. First, five minutes in (now CCFPA member) Bobby McDonald ran all the way from his own half to score a superb individual strike. Finally, fellow CCFPA member and Wally’s partner in the Sky Blues ‘Deadly Duo’ Mick Ferguson settled matters on the hour! The 3-2 win kept the Sky Blues second in the league.

Bobby in the Sky Blue

Mick in the Sky Blue

Milne’s Men lined up as follows (CCFPA members underlined):-

The late Les Sealey, Brian Roberts, Bobby McDonald, John Beck, the late Jim Holton, Gary Gillespie, Tommy Hutchison, Ian Wallace, Mick Ferguson, Barry Powell and Steve Hunt

Chelsea‘s XI lined up:-

Peter Bonetti, Gary Locke, Ron ‘Chopper’ Harris, Ray Lewington, David Hay, Stephen Wicks, Kenny Swain, Ray Wilkins, Tommy Langley, Gary Stanley (sub. Ian Britton) and Duncan McKenzie    Referee: J.Worrall

City did the double over the struggling Blues in 1978-79 beating them at Stamford Bridge 3-1 in February with the Sky Blues ‘deadly Duo’ getting the goals (Ian 1: Mick 2). In the end, Chelsea‘s season was horrendous and they finished rock bottom eleven points clear of safety. They took the drop with twentieth placed Queens Park Rangers and City’s neighbours (and fairly recent landlords) Birmingham City.

The Sky Blues were in the pink in the top half (in tenth position). Liverpool took the title eight points clear of runners up Nottingham Forest.

Thanks to CCFPA’s Mike Young for sourcing the images.