CCFPA can now confirm that our special guest for Saturday’s 2nd round F.A.Cup home tie against Morecambe on 1st December 2012 will be former Sky Blue scoring sensation Garry Thompson.  Garry visits the Ricoh quite often and his brother Keith (who also had two spells for City) is also a member of the Association.

Garry joined City as an apprentice in 1976 and soon debuted in a defeat against the Villa in March 1978. Over six seasons with the Sky Blues, Garry made over 150 appearances scoring 49 goals – an excellent strike rate for the top division.  He will be particularly remembered for leading the Sky Blues stirring fightback from 0-2 down in February 1981 with a brace in the home leg League Cup semi-final tie at Highfield Road against Saturday’s opponents eventually beating  them 3-2 with a Gerry Daly goal. A repeat would be very welcome in the Sky Blues two upcoming Cup games!

In February 1983 he was transferred to West Bromwich Albion where he continued his frequent scoring record (45 goals in 105 appearances).  His forward prowess continued to be in demand as his long career of over 20 years saw spells at Q.P.R. as well as at Sheffield Wednesday, Aston Villa, Watford, Crystal Palace, Cardiff and Northampton.

Garry hung up his boots in 1997 and had management or coaching roles at, amongst others, Northampton Town, Bristol Rovers and Brentford as well as Farnborough Town and Hucknall Town. He has more recently been working as a football scout and businessman. We welcome Garry once more to the Ricoh and hope he will be able to share with us a very welcome  Sky Blues’ victory over the seasiders.

As the Association’s special guest Garry will be around the corporate lounges before the game, is likely to be introduced to the crowd at half-time and should be available to meet supporters in the G-Casino on the stage of the Lady Gs Show Bar after the game.  He will also be found, courtesy of the Association, providing matchday analysis for BBC CWR on the day.

We also expect to see many of the ‘regulars’ in the legends Lounge before the game and at half time.