Matchday Memories: On This Day 1992 – See ‘Spurs Succumb To Sky Blues Speed & Spirit!
On this Monday evening (14th September) in 1992 the Sky Blues were well into their 1992-93 season in the newly titled Premier League under ‘Cov Kid’ former player turned manager Bobby Gould (now a CCFPA member). The unusual timing of the match was down to TV as Sky brought its ‘Monday Night Football‘ package to Highfield Road for the first time and their cameras joined 15,293 fans to watch the spectacle, aided by a fireworks extravaganza. Nevertheless the gate was probably depressed by the presence of the cameras (not by the result) as City’s 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur was watched by many in pubs, clubs and living rooms across the City. In fact we had already played ‘Spurs at White Hart Lane, in our second game of the season, and managed to beat them 2-0 with a brace from ‘The Flying Postman’ (now CCFPA member) John Williams.
Richard Keys with Sky Blue Ian Wallace
Peter Shreeves had been replaced in the ‘Spurs hot seat for this season by joint ‘gaffers’ Doug Livermore and Ray Clemence, their former England international goalkeeper. Sky presenter and Sky Blue ‘celebrity supporter’ (now a CCFPA Hon. Member) Richard Keys compered the programme but the first half probably didn’t fully live up to the hype. The away team’s new young signing Darren Anderton failed to sparkle in front of the cameras. The same Sky Blue forward as in the first game between the sides did the damage to the visitors but from an unlikely method! Oggy was City’s captain for the night!
FTP in the Sky Blue
The only goal of the game, just after the hour mark, came from a looping header from John Williams who embarrassed ‘Spurs goalie Ian Walker who was well off his line. With TFP in their side the Sky Blues probably had the edge on both speed and spirit over Tottenham though their Teddy Sheringham almost scored twice, once with a deft chip and once with a diving header and the ‘Spurs had a goal disallowed. City thus chalked up another of their regular wins in the ’80s and ’90s over the London side and were happy to have done the double over them so early in the season!
Thanks to former CCFPA committee member Dean Nelson you can watch the whole game and TFP’s unlikely header (from several angles) by clicking on the link or image below.
The Sky Blues’ team this day (all are now CCFPA members we are pleased to say) was:-
Steve Ogrizovic (c), Brian Borrows, Kenny Sansom, Peter Atherton, Andy Pearce, Peter Ndlovu, Lloyd McGrath, Lee Hurst, Robert Rosario, Kevin Gallacher and John Williams.
Steve in the Sky Blue
Tottenham Hotspur lined up:-
Ian Walker, Dean Austin, Pat van den Hauwe, Andy Gray, Jason Cundy, Neil Ruddock, Darren Anderton (sub. Andy Turner -71), Gordon Durie, Vinnie Samways (sub. Steve Sedgley -63), Teddy Sheringham and Paul Allen Referee: Martin Bodenham (Looe)
Now CCFPA member Steve Sedgley was previously a Sky Blue who was part of our 1987 F.A.Cup winning squad (though he didn’t play in the Wembley Final five year’s earlier against the ‘Spurs)!
Phil Neal, the Gouldfather’s Assistant (who would go on to take over the gaffer’s chair from Bobby the following season) became part of the England set up this season.
CCFC 1992-93
The Sky Blues finished the Premier League season in fifteenth spot three points clear of the drop zone which contained the relegated Crystal Palace, Middlesbrough and bottom club Nottingham Forest.
Manchester United took the title fully ten points clear of runners up, Aston Villa.
Thanks to CCFPA’s Mike Young for sourcing the images.
