The ‘Four Musketeers’ hope to herald new Sky Blue era
A host of Former Players from several playing eras graced the Ricoh yesterday (including Ian Goodwin, Lol Harvey, John Williams, Dave Bennett, Micky Gynn, Claus Jorgensen, Peter Wyer, Lol Harvey and Brian Nicholas) and watched the Sky Blues make a draw against play-off challengers Reading on a glorious sunny day at the Arena on Saturday 30 April 2011.
This was also a day particularly poignant for all our Former Players of the 1960s (anf the fans that remember those days) because the club was introducing its new 2011-12 playing kit at the game – a strip which pays homage to the very beginnings of the Sky Blue era nearly fifty years ago when Jimmy Hill‘s innovative management style and visionary football showmanship helped propel the club to the heights of top division football from the depths of the soccer basement.
Dietmar Bruck
Bob Wesson
Ron & his No.6 original
Our ‘Four Musketeers’ of the 60s- Ronnie Farmer, Bob Wesson, Ernie Machin and Association special guest Dietmar Bruck were invited by CCFC and CCFPA to play an important part in the launch, in the club shop and corporate lounges before the game – fittingly being interviewed by the Association’s Billy Bell in the ‘Legends Lounge’ (pictured above). Ronnie brought along his lovingly preserved original No.6 shirt and socks from the 1960s for all to compare with the new version. The sixties stars then led the ‘reveal’ of new strip on the Ricoh pitch prior to teams (with CCFC wearing the new strip for the first time) coming out for the club’s last home game of the season.
The four were guests of honour in watching the entertaining goalless draw before joining the Association’s Billy Bell and Sky Blue fans in Lady Gs at the Ricoh Casino and helping those assembled to finish of the season with a rousing chorus of the Sky Blue song (pictured below). All four spoke of their delight at seeing the players wearing the new kit; about memories of the clubs glory years climbing through the leagues, their sole European campaign in the early 1970s and winning the F.A.Cup nearly 25 years ago.
Ernie Machin
Dietmar, Ron & Bob on stage with Billy Bell
As Ernie Machin (who despite being in indifferent health made a big effort to attend) watched his 3 friends on the stage of Lady Gs Bob Wesson, in particular, spoke with passion telling Billy and the fans that seeing the traditional Sky Blue strip once again on the playing field ‘brought tears to my eyes.’
