Members News: ‘Doyler’ Sees Sky Blues Ram Raided (& MR Now Departs)!
The CBS Remembers The Fallen
Farewell Mark Robins – Thanks for everything! You will be missed
It was a disappointing evening at the CBS Arena last night as, our member and former Sky Blue skipper Michael Doyle saw Championship opponents Derby County walk away with all three points. The evening started with a necessarily sombre context as the whole stadium stood in silence in remembrance of all those who gave their lives in past conflicts. The defeat has obviously cost our wonderful ‘gaffer’ Mark Robins his job as was revealed in this morning’s shock announcement!
The very defensive Rams were more than somewhat fortunate netting two goals from just three attempts all game helped tremendously by an 11th minute back pass gift from Jack Rudoni and Bobby Thomas deflected second half own goal (from an arguably off-side cross).
Michael himself gave good value as he toured the supporters lounges before the game talking to club host and fellow CCFPA member Brian ‘Harry’ Roberts and CCFC’s previously injured first teamer Jamie Allen. A brief video of one of these Q&As can probably be seen in due course on our Facebook page (just click on the Facebook button to the right of this post)’
Doyler & Harry (resplendent in CCFPA ties) with Jamie ‘around the lounges’
MIchael Faces The H-T Cameras Pitch-Side
After the Sky Blues three goal victorious games in their last two outings against Luton Town and at Middlesbrough, no-one could have predicted that the 27,000 crowd would see such a uninspiring first half. Nevertheless, ‘Doyler’ was given a very warm welcome when he did his half-time pitch-side interview magnified by the Arena’s jumbo screen.
‘Doyler’ would probably have been impressed with some of the Derby defensive qualities as they closed down space and opportunities. He would have been angry, as was the crowd, with the Rams’ cynical time-wasting and niggling fouls. However, the Sky Blues’ first half performance was very lacklustre and our own forwards proved punchless. Second half subs gave us more impetus and ‘Tats’ Sakamoto’s 77th minute goal gave us hope for another come-back like against the Hatters but we couldn’t find a way through again.
Sky Blue fans joined by Michael & Billy
Michael and CCFPA chairman Billy Bell successfully geed up an initially somewhat subdued Lady G’s audience in the G-Casino post-match and Michael also chatted to some of them (right). After the traditional Sky Blue song was completed everyone (eventually) departed wondering, in this unpredictable season so far, which Sky Blue team will turn up at Sunderland on Saturday especially since it will now presumably be selected by a new interim team manager, Rhys Carr.
CCFPA appreciates the support given to CCFPA by Mark Robins and his staff over the last seven years and wish him a fond farewell and all good luck in his future career. We are sure, given the talents and qualities of ‘the gaffer’ have been recognised throughout the footballing world he will be quickly ‘snapped up’ by another club when he is ready.
A video of Billy & Doyler’s sing-song can be seen by clicking the link or image below:-
Thanks Michael for being a great ‘special’. Thanks too to CCFPA’s Rich Morris for the photos and video (and thanks MR)!
