Matchday Memories: On This Day 1971 – ‘Ernie’ Hunt Hits Huddersfield Hard At Highfield Rd.

Sky Blue Bill Glazier

CCFC’s Manager, Noel Cantwell

On this day (6th November) in 1971 the Sky Blues, managed by Noel Cantwell,  were facing Huddersfield Town at Highfield Road and a crowd of 16,309 had turned up to watch, Hopes were high in the Sky Blue camp since the Terriers had lost four out of their last five games and the home team were, as yet unbeaten on their own patch (though drawing four of their seven games so far)! City’s legendary shot-stopper Bill Glazier played his 250th Sky Blues game in this match and played well to keep the Town’s forwards off the score-sheet till the last quarter. Confusingly Town had two Smiths and two Lawsons in their side this day!

The result followed the form book this time, however, as the Sky Blues ran out winners by the odd goal in three in front of 16,309 spectators. It was our ‘cheeky chappie’ inside forward ‘Ernie’ Hunt who did the damage scoring just each side of the half-time break.

His first, just on the half time whistle was a flick-in from a corner and his second (on 51 minutes) came from a superb diving header from a Willie Carr cross after a great pass from the Sky Blues midfield dynamo Wilf Smith found our Scottish international star.

The Terriers’ consolation came from a 75th minute strike from Dave Smith (though wing half Roy Ellam had a late equalising ‘goal’ scrubbed off for offside)! The win put City in eleventh spot in Division One.

Noel Cantwell‘s Sky Blues turned out as follows in this game:-

Ernie goes close

Bill Glazier, Mick Coop, Roy Barry, Wilf Smith, Jeff Blockley, Bobby Parker, Quintin Young, Willie Carr, the late Ian St.John, the late ‘Ernie’ Hunt and the late Brian Alderson (sub. Mick McGuire)

We are delighted to say that all these players (except Brian) went on to join CCFPA

The Terriers XI comprised:-

David Lawson, Dennis Clarke, Geoff Hutt, Alan Jones, Roy Ellam, Trevor Cherry, Dave Smith, Steve Smith, Frank Worthington, Jimmy Lawson & Les Chapman  Referee:- C.Fallon

Bob Dennison (CCFC Caretaker)

City did the ‘double’ over the Terriers in 1971-72 beating them in Huddersfield in April by the only goal of the game in the 75th minute scored by that man ‘Ernie’ Hunt!

(Both sadly now deceased) Noel Cantwell had been sacked in March 1972 and replaced by Bob Dennison as caretaker who saw the Sky Blues to safety in eighteenth position in League One three positions and eight points above relegated sides Nottingham Forest and City’s opponents this day Huddersfield Town who finished bottom on 25 points.

CCFC 1971-72

In a close fight at the top of Division One Derby County took the title but only by a point from both second placed Leeds United, fourth placed Liverpool and Manchester City in fifth!

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