‘Spider’ to spin a Pompey Web on Saturday

CCFPA is delighted that long-standing Association Member Chris Cattlin has agreed to be our special guest at the Sky Blues’ next home game against Portsmouth on Saturday 24th November 2012. Chris is a fairly regular visitor to the Ricoh especially at the Association’s reunions and Legends Days.

‘Spider’  is a well loved and remembered Sky Blue defender having served CCFC as an adventurous and athletic left back between 1968-76. Noel Cantwell  purchased him in March 1968 for the substantial sum (in those days) of £70k from Huddersfield Town where he had made his name.  Chris eventually played 239 times for the Sky Blues including in their sole European campaign in 1970-71 (unfortunately without ever finding the opponent’s net!)  He gained two Under 23 caps for the Club before moving on to Brighton and Hove Albion in the close season of 1976.

At Brighton he also became a Club Legend and, under Alan Mullery, was twice a promotion winner in the 1970s scoring 2 goals in 114 first team appearances up to retiring in 1980. He later returned to the Goldstone in a coaching capacity just prior to being promoted to being their Manager in October 1983 (replacing Jimmy Melia). Reputedly something of a disciplinarian Chris substantially turned the club’s fortunes round leading them to within striking distance of promotion and a F.A.Cup quarter final place before being sacked (unjustly according to many Seagull’s supporters) in May 1986.  Chris still lives and has business interests in the Brighton area.

Welcome Chris! Look out for him ‘around the lounges’ at the Ricoh, on the local media and in Lady Gs in the Casino at the Ricoh after the game. This Lancastrian always has some interesting and forthright opinions about the game and CCFC, a club for whom he has considerable affection.