Matchday Memories: On This Day 1989 – Sky Blues Top Hatters Without Oggy!
Sky Blue Oggy
Sky Blue debutant Keith Waugh
On this day (16th September) in 1989 The Sky Blues, under former player turned ‘gaffer’ (and CCFPA member) the late John Sillett, were doing quite nicely in Division One having won three and lost two of their league games so far. With a 100% record so far at Highfield Road they were looking forward to making it a home win treble today against Luton Town.
However, they needed to improve on their last league performance, a 4-1 thrashing at Millwall to stay in the top four. The Sky Blues legendary ‘keeper (and now CCFPA member) Steve Ogrizovic had got a bad injury to his shoulder in that game and outfield player David Speedie had had to deputise for the whole of the second half.
Sky Blue Speedie
Dougie in the Sky Blue
Today, however, the Sky Blues had a new shot-stopper on display making his debut, Keith Waugh. Keith took his place knowing he was replacing a man who had previously made 241 consecutive Sky Blue appearances since joining us five years previously – big shoes to fill! Another Sky Blue (full) debutant was Scottish winger Dougie McGuire (now an Association member) who was back after a year on the sidelines injured.
Keith and the whole Sky Blues team rose to the challenge and the Hatters were topped by the only goal of the game scored after seventeen minutes by Gary Bannister! In truth, City fans in the 11,207 crowd were glad to get the win in a poor game especially after the Sky Blues got a let-off in the second half. This was when, in the 66th minute, Trevor Peake (now a CCFPA member) fouled future Sky Blue Roy Wegerle in the box for a penalty. Fortunately Luton’s Danny Wilson contrived to miss from the spot so Keith did not need to make a save!
City’s scorer Gary Bannister
The late John Sillett‘s Sky Blues that day comprised (CCFPA members underlined):-
John Sillett- Sky Blue ‘gaffer’
Keith Waugh, Brian Borrows, Tony Dobson, Dean Emerson, Brian Kilcline, Trevor Peake, Micky Gynn, David Speedie, the late Cyrille Regis (sub. Steve Livingstone -61), Gary Bannister and Dougie McGuire (sub. Kevin MacDonald -1),
Ray Harford‘s Hatters put out the following XI:-
Alec Chamberlain, Tim Breacker, John Dreyer, Danny Wilson, Darron McDonough (sub. Richard Harvey -63), Dave Beaumont, Mick Kennedy (sub. Richard Cooke -2), Roy Wegerle, Lars Elstrup, David Preece and Kingsley Black Referee: J.Ashworth
There were plenty of Sky Blue connections with the players on Luton Town‘s books at this time apart from Roy Wegerle. Former Sky Blue ‘keeper Les Sealey was there as was (briefly) forward Mick Harford (1993-94). Also there was City’s 1987 F.A.Cup finalist (and CCFPA member) Graham Rodger as well as future Sky Blue ‘gaffer’ Iain Dowie and (now CCFPA member) Paul Telfer.
CCFC 1989-90
Iain Dowie as Sky Blue ‘gaffer’
The Hatters got some recompense in early March when, under a different manager, Jimmy Ryan they beat the Sky Blues by the odd goal in five at Kenilworth Road with an 88th minute winner from Iain Dowie. Snoz’s men finished in a creditable twelfth place that season immediately above both Manchester clubs whilst Luton Town just escaped the drop in seventeeth place.
Millwall finished the 1989-90 season last by a mile in twentieth place a full seventeen points short of safety! Also down in the dumps were Sheffield Wednesday and Charlton Athletic whilst, at the top, Liverpool walked alone with the title nine points clear of Aston Villa.
