Matchday Memories: On This Day 1981 – Seagulls Stalemate Foe Sexton’s Sky Blues Despite Steve’s Stunner!

Dave Sexton- CCFC Manager

On City’s fifth fixture in the 1981-82 Division One season on this day (19th September) in 1981 new Sky ‘gaffer’ Dave Sexton was hoping to build on the previous Saturday’s return to some sort of Sky Blue form when they had beaten Leeds United 4-0 at Highfield Road.

This had followed two straight away reverses (0-4 at Stoke City and 1-2 at Notts. County) after the Sky Blues had won their season’s opener 2-1 at new look, all seater, Highfield Road against Sexton’s old club Manchester United.

City were away again today and had travelled down to the south coast to take on Brighton & Hove Albion.

There were 15,262 in the Goldstone to watch the game, though not the TV cameras, as City’s new red away kit with sponsors name ‘Talbot’ on the front infringed their advertising rules. The game was thoroughly contested and not much to show between the teams. The homesters drew first blood with a 22nd minute goal from their Michael Robinson. City’s Dutch winger (and now CCFPA member) Ruud Kaiser then equalised four minutes after the half hour to send the two sides in at the break one apiece.

Paul Dyson looks on

Ruud in the Sky Blue

Arguably the Sky Blues were unlucky not to take the points on the second half showing. If only the TV cameras had been there they would have shown a goal of the season contender from fairly recent CCFPA recruit,  the Sky Blues Steve Hunt!

Eleven minutes into the second period Steve hit a wonderful 25 yard swerver past Graham Moseley and all City had to do was to hang on for the win. Sadly, however, it was not to be as referee Daniels awarded a harsh penalty against (now CCFPA member) Steve Jacobs for a sliding tackle on Gary Williams in the box on the hour mark. The Seagull’s Neil McNab put the spot kick away past our Scottish international goalie (and now CCFPA member) Jim Blyth and the game was tied.

Rudi Kaiser & Steve Hunt on the attack

Steve Hunt in the Sky Blue

Sexton’s Sky Blue XI was as follows:-

Jim Blyth, Danny Thomas, Brian Roberts, Steve Jacobs, Paul Dyson, Gary Gillespie, Ruud Kaiser, Gerry Daly, Garry Thompson, Steve Whitton and Steve Hunt

Apart from Steve Whitton we are pleased to say that all members of this team later joined CCFPA. ‘Harry’ has for many years been CCFC’s matchday host.

The Seagulls’ line up was as follows:-

Graham Moseley, Don Shanks, Gary Williams, Tony Grealish, Steve Foster, Steve Gatting (c), Jimmy Case, Andy Ritchie (sub. Gary Stevens), Michael Robinson, Neil McNab and Gordon Smith     Referee:- B.Daniels

CCFC 1981-82

Brighton did well out of this youthful Sky Blues side this season and took both points from Highfield Road in the return at the end of January with the only goal of the game scored in the first half by Andy Ritchie. The Seagulls went on to finish thirteenth in Division One two points and a place above the Sky Blues (themselves, a full eight points above the drop zone which saw Leeds United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Middlesbrough relegated).

Liverpool took the championship over runners up Ipswich Town.

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