Matchday Memories: On This Day 1982 – Sexton’s Sky Blues Debuts Three But Sink At St.Andrews

Keith in the Sky Blue

On this day (18th September) in 1982 the Sky Blues were still a Division One side and the late Dave Sexton was in the Sky Blues’ gaffer’s chair. Though his team had achieved two narrow 1-0 home victories since the season began (against Southampton on the opening day and Sunderland) they had also been beaten there last time out (by two clear goals) by Arsenal. CCFC’s away performances had been poor, losing at both Swansea and Ipswich Town.

Jim in the Sky Blue 1982

The defeat to the Gunners led Dave to decide that some team changes were necessary for today’s game at (City’s fairly recent landlords) Birmingham City. In came three debut boys, Keith Thompson (replacing his injured brother, Sky Blue favourite and now fellow CCFPA member Garry Thompson), our new forward signing from Leicester City Jim Melrose (also now an Association member) and midfielder Derek Hall. There was a modest crowd of 11,681 in St.Andrews with a fair sprinkling of Sky Blue supporters.

Jim Melrose, Kieth Thompson & Derek Hall

Match action

This trio of debutants took part in a fitful game with the Sky Blues appearing disjointed and the new boys struggling to make an impact against a poor Birmingham City side. Keith Thompson had a promising debut and he and Jim Melrose went onto have a reasonable Sky Blue career. Sadly, this was Derek Hall‘s sole Sky Blue appearance, and a losing one, as the Brummagem’s won 1-0 with a goal on the stroke of half time by Tony Evans. This gave our West Midlands rivals their first victory of the season!

Having joined CCFC as an apprentice, Derek was transferred to Torquay Athletic in summer 1984 and had successful spells there and subsequently with the likes of Swindon Town, Southend United, Halifax Town, Hereford United and Rochdale before dropping into non league football. He was last heard of (in 2009) in Australia having moved into coaching.

Dave Sexton, CCFC’s gaffer

Sexton’s Sky Blues that day comprised (CCFPA members underlined):-

The late Les Sealey, Peter Hormantschuk, Brian Roberts, Steve Jacobs, Paul Dyson, Gary Gillespie, Jim Melrose, Gerry Francis, Steve Whitton, Derek Hall and Keith Thompson.

Ron Saunders‘ Brummy XI lined up as follows:-

Jim Blyth, Dave Langan, Mark Dennis (sub. Carl Francis), Byron Stevenson, Noel Blake, Jim Hagan, Les Phillips, Tony Evans, Neil Whatmore, Alan Curbishley and Ian Handysides.

There were plenty of Sky Blues links with the St Andrews side at this time with former goalie (and now CCFPA member) Jim Blyth between their sticks and former Sky Blue Jim Hagan (also a member) in this team. Also at BCFC at this time was former Sky Blue forward (and now CCFPA member) Mick Ferguson.

Birmingham, unfortunately, did the double over the Sky Blues in 1982-83 repeating the damaging scoreline at Highfield Road in mid April with their Les Phillips notching the goal two minutes before the break in a woeful Sky Blue performance against a very poor team. This was the visitors first away win!

CCFC 1982-83

However, City just about managed to avoid relegation at the end of the season finishing in nineteenth, one point and one place above the drop. Birmingham City were two places and two points better off. A season not to remember very much for Sky Blues fans! Manchester City, Swansea and bottom club Brighton were the relegated sides whilst, at the top, Liverpool took the title by eleven points from runners up Watford.

Thanks to CCFPA’s Mike Young (& Dean Nelson) for sourcing the images.