Matchday Memories: On This Day 1993 – Phil’s 1st Sky Blue Success (Toffees Tumble) Thanks To ‘Sumo’s Brace

On this day (6th November) in 1993 Everton came to town to face the Sky Blues at Highfield Road. The Sky Blues ‘Cov Kid’ ‘gaffer’ and former player (and now CCFPA member) Bobby Gould had dramatically resigned two matches ago on the 23rd October following a 5-1 drubbing at Queen’s Park Rangers so it was ex Liverpool defensive star Phil Neal who was now in the CCFC managerial hot seat. After a goalless draw at HR against Sheffield United in his first game in charge the previous Saturday, the 2-1 victory over the team from the Blue half of Merseyside was a win especially to be savoured by Phil and the rest of Sky Blues part of the 11,550 crowd.

The team he selected for today’s game included on the bench new signing from Bolton Wanderers (and quite recent CCFPA recruit) Julian Darby, who would make his debut. Phil also brought Brian Borrows back in from the wilderness and ‘Buggsy’ (a long time Association member) starred marking Everton’s influential Peter Beagrie out of the game.

Mick Quinn in the Sky Blue

He also set up the first of an important brace for the Sky Blues stocky centre forward Mick Quinn after 27 minutes and the Sky Blues were able to go in a goal to the good at half time. Things got even better four minutes after the restart when Micky poached his and the team’s second beating the Toffee’s goalie Neville Southall once more!

However, when the visitors’ Paul Rideout managed to pull one back with just over twenty minutes to go the home team’s nerve started to fray dramatically. Home fan’s fingernails got bitten to the quick especially when, seven minutes from time, Everton were awarded a penalty. Thankfully, the Liverpool side’s inside forward Tony Cottee (who usually scored in his games against the Sky Blues) uncharacteristically missed the spot kick, hitting the post and Phil Neal‘s first win with the Sky Blues was secured.

Sky Blue Manager- Phil Neal

Phil’s fortunate Sky Blues that day consisted of (CCFPA members underlined):-

Steve Ogrizovic, Brian Borrows, Steve Morgan, Lloyd McGrath, Phil Babb, David Rennie, Sean Flynn (sub. Julian Darby-79), Willie Boland, Mick Quinn, Roy Wegerle and Peter Ndlovu. Unused subs: Peter Atherton & Jonathan Gould (gk)

Match details below plus we can add that Unused subs for Everton were Glyn Snodin and Jason Kearton (gk). The referee was Alan B. Wilkie.

The two sides fought out a goalless draw at Goodison Park later in the season (23rd April). Phil Neal‘s first season saw the Sky Blues finish comfortably off in mid table (eleventh). Everton finished six places lower in Division One only a couple of points clear of the relegation zone.  In that relegation box was (in descending order) Sheffield United, Oldham Athletic and (bottom club) Swindon Town.

At the top presided Champions Manchester United fully eight points clear of second placed Blackburn Rovers!

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