European Sky Blue: Emotional 1970 Reunion pictured

The 1970 Players Team Photo 2010

Last Saturday’s home game (23rd October 2010) was not only a successful occassion for the Sky Blues who saw off Barnsley 3-0 (with superb strikes from Gary McSheffrey and debut goals for Carl Baker and Jordan Clarke) but in particular for the Association and its special guests from the 1970 squad which uniquely took the Sky Blues into Europe. 

Ten players from the Jimmy Hill teams which got us to our highest ever finish in the top division in 1969-70 and then won 3 out of our 4 ties in the European Fairs Cup the following season were present for the Reunion (along with their own guests).  Roy Barry; Jeff Blockley; Dietmar Bruck; Willie Carr; Chris Cattlin; Mick Coop; Ian Goodwin; Trevor Gould; Ernie Hannigan; and Billy Rafferty were entertained by the Association. Other squad members like Ernie Machin, Brian Hill, Eric McManus and Neil Martin were keen to come but were prevented by illness or other commitments from making it but sent their best wishes. 

Brian Joicey had work commitments but kindly sent the Association a signed copy of the Trakia Plovdiv away programme (above) for us to auction after adding our guest’s signatures to it. Ernie Hannigan had flown in all the way from his home in Australia to visit us for the first time and certainly contributed some lively anecdotes to the proceedings!

The Association’s warmest welcome was reserved for our very special guest, Bulgarian International and ‘Player of the Century’  Dinko ‘Chiko’ Dermendjiev who captained Trakia Plovdiv one of City’s opponents in the European adventure. We ‘did the double’ over the Bulgarian side (now known as Botev Plovdiv) who were experienced in European competitions and who Dinko told us expected to win rather than be defeated 6-1 on aggregate by a relatively unknown side like Coventry City.  Ray Ranson CCFC Chairman welcomed Dinko to the Club before the game (pictured below in the Legends Lounge).

Dinko (who was interviewed several times during the day with the able assistance of interpreter and Bulgarian based Sky Blues supporter Nicky Dafovski)  praised the quality of the Sky Blues’ organisation and attacking flair over the two legs and was impressed by the play of the current Sky Blue squad in their 3-0 victory over Barnsley.  Dinko was presented with commemorative glass goblets by the Association as well as a Sky Blues Shirt signed by all attending FPs.  At half-time ‘Chiko’ was warmly applauded by the crowd and exchanged pennants with opposition City team captain Roy Barry on the centre circle. 

We were also delighted to welcome as guests family members of the late Noel Cantwell  Sky Blues’ Manager in 1970. They were fully included in the celebrations on the day and Noel’s daughter Kate consented to become an Honorary Associate Member of the Association.  Also guests of the Association were five representatives (including City historian Rod Dean) of the very small number of Sky Blue fans who made the intrepid journey to Trakia with the team. Finally we were pleased to welcome (as part of the Tickets for Troops campaign) serving soldier and Sky Blue Supporter Scott Lewis and his son as our guest for the day. 

All these guests joined committee members for a meal in the club’s E-ON lounge before the game, were escorted to the Legends Lounge to meet members and other FPs and then to their special seats to watch the game, were introduced to the crowd  at half time and after the game were entertained in the G-Casino and introduced to the warm applause of supporters on the Casino stage (and most of them were interviewed by committee member and Casino m/c Billy Bell). 

All the FPs attending were then presented by Jim Brown (Chairman of the Association) with a commemorative medal* marking the occassion. The session continued raucously with the Sky Blues FPs warmly welcoming Dinko to the stage followed by an emotional interview (in Bulgarian and Irish) conducted by Billy Bell and concluded with a stirring rendition of the Sky Blues Song by all assembled.

FPs were then entertained to refreshments by G-Casino and many stayed until late meeting the fans and continuing their reminiscences. Some (including Dinko who said he was overwhelmed by the warmth of his welcome) stayed the night at the Ricoh.  All in all this was a wonderfully warm and good humoured reunion! 

Thanks to all the Association Committee members who worked hard to make this a success and in particular to Billy Bell who orchestrated the pre-planning of the event and the events of the day with humour and efficiency. Thanks also to John Clarke and the other Association Patrons who helped sponsor the event; to Jade Studios for sponsoring the flights of Dinko and his interpreter Nicky and to Quentin Korsma of G-Casino for providing evening refreshments and other facilities for our guests. 

There is a video tribute (courtesy Dean Nelson) to the players of 1969-71 and the European campaign in our Videos page.

An extensive photographic record of the day with pictures from Mike Young (CCFPA) and our official photographer Tony Thomas (tonythomasuk@btinternet.com) can now be found in our ‘Galleries’ pages (press tab in header above).

*please note that we have minted a limited number of silver finish replicas of the commemorative gold medals which were presented to the players. These will be available for £10 (plus postage) from the Association in due course. Please contact Committee Member Bob Eales (covbob@msn.com or 07538154239) if you are interested in purchasing one)