Matchday Memories: On This Day 1997 – CCFC Crash In Coca Cola Cup & Complain About Linighan (& Laser)

Gordon Strachan -City’s ‘gaffer’

Thanks to CCFC author and fan Steve Phelps* for reminding us that on this day (16th September) in 1997 the Sky Blues were beaten in the first leg of the Second Round of the Coca Cola Cup at Blackpool FC under somewhat controversial circumstances. (Now CCFPA member) Gordon Strachan took his team to meet the Tangerines in the two legged tie in mid week fresh from a 1-0 victory against Southampton (managed by former Sky Blue -and now CCFPA member- Dave Jones) in a Premier League fixture at Highfield Road.

Martin Johansen in the Sky Blue

There were only 5,884 in the ground at Bloomfield Road perhaps because it was a night of driving rain and wind along Blackpool’s Golden Mile, Steve tells us:-

‘ferocious rains drenched City supporters standing on the open Kop area and pedantic stewarding prevented them from joining the rest of the City faithful sheltering in the stand’! 

The Sky Blues had enforced changes as both key forwards Dion Dublin and Darren Huckerby (both now CCFPA members) were injured. Chances were few and far between and little real football played. The deputies for ‘the Dube’ and ‘Hucks’ were Bermudan Kyle Lightbourne (now a CCFPA member) and Dane Martin Johansen but they largely failed to trouble the Tangerine’s defence. The only goal of the game came from the head of Blackpool’s David Linighan after 76 minutes.

Kyle in the Sky Blue

The controversy came from post-match claims from Kyle that when he ran clear on goal in the first half hoping for an opener he was dangerously distracted by a laser pen shone into his eyes by (presumably a home team supporter) intent on putting him off! The local police said they were aware such dangerous laser pens were being used, but it was hard to pin down culprits. There was no action at the time, so the seasiders took a narrow lead into the second leg.

Order was restored on the first day of October at Highfield Road when, in the second leg, the Sky Blues beat the Tangerines 3-1 to win the tie 3-2 on aggregate and proceed to the next round. The Sky Blues scorers were Gary McAllister (with a penalty brace) and a late goal from DD.

For the record the Sky Blues’ team that day comprised (CCFPA members underlined):-

Gary Mac in Sky Blue action

Steve Ogrizovic, Roland Nilsson, David Burrows, Trond Egil Soltvedt (sub. Marcus Hall -78), Paul D.Williams, Richard Shaw, Paul Telfer (sub. Gary Breen -88), Gary McAllister, Kyle Lightbourne, Martin Johansen and John Salako. 

Unused sub: Magnus Hedman (gk)

Nigel Worthington‘s Tangerines lined up as follows:-

Steve Banks, Marvin Bryan, Darren Bradshaw, Phil Clarkson, David Linighan, Jason Lydiate, Mark Bonner, Micky Mellon, Tony Ellis, Andy Preece (sub. Chris Malkin -88) and Lee Philpott  Unused sub: Clarke Carlisle and Phil Clarkson   Referee:- Terry Heilbron (Newton Aycliffe)

The Sky Blues drew Everton at home in Round Three of the League (Coca Cola) Cup and slaughtered them 4-1 in mid October. However they narrowly went out to the Gunners at Highbury in Round Four the following month by the only goal of the game.

CCFC 1997-98

Gordon’s Sky Blues got themselves up to a respectable eleventh place finish in the Premier League in 1997-98. The three relegated teams were Bolton Wanderers (forty points), Barnsley (35) and Crystal Palace (33) and the Arsenal were Champions a point clear of runners up Manchester United!

* Steve Phelps book ‘Coventry City-On This Day’ Pitch Publishing 2010

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