Matchday Memories: On This Day 1967 – Hammers Get Highfield Rd. Draw From Cantwell’s City
CCFC’s Manager, Noel Cantwell
The Sky Blues had finally made it to the top flight for the first time in their history! Jimmy Hill’s ‘Sky Blue Revolution’ had been fulfilled with a Division One fixture list in 1967-68. On this day (8th December) in 1967 the Sky Blues were about to play their twentieth game at the top of the Football League pyramid but were not finding it easy under JH’s anointed successor Noel Cantwell (who had taken over in mid October to allow JH to go into a TV career). City were in the relegation places (21st) and ten games without a win. Today’s game at Highfield Road against also struggling West Ham United would make it eleven winless games as the two sides fought out a 1-1 draw.
The 28,393 crowd (which was mazingly the lowest home gate of the season) saw the evening stalemate take place on a snow covered pitch which deteriorated as the minutes ticked on.
Gerry Baker in Sky Blue action
Gibbo in the Sky Blue
It was a competitive game against a Hammers side including stars such as Harry Redknapp, Martin Peters, Geoff Hurst and Bobby Moore! The Sky Blues got off to a flyer with an eighth minute goal from (now CCFPA member) Gerry Baker heading home a great cross from terrier-like Ian Gibson.
For the record the the two teams were as follows:-
Sky Blues
Bill Glazier, Mick Kearns, Dietmar Bruck, Mick Coop, Maurice Setters*, Dave Clements, Ernie Hannigan*, Ian Gibson* and Gerry Baker*
We are pleased to say the whole of this team later went on to join CCFPA. Sadly, scorer Gerry, Maurice, both Ernies and Ian have since passed away. Dietmar is a valued CCFPA committee member to this day.
West Ham
Bobby Ferguson, John Charles, Jack Burkett, Martin Peters, Billy Bonds, Bobby Moore, Harry Redknapp, Ronnie Boyce, Peter Brabrook, Geoff Hurst and Johnny Sissons Referee: J.Osborne
In the penultimate game of the season in early April 1968 City played the Hammers in the return at the Boleyn, with the relegation stakes looking to be going down to goal averages, and came away with a gutsy goalless draw. Ernie Machin hit the bar but sharing the points seemed fair and, after the game, Upton Park’s famous ‘Chicken Run’ was demolished!
CCFC 1967-68 at the start of the season with the D2 Championship trophy
As we know now the City just survived their first top level campaign on the last day with, as with the previous game at the Boleyn, another goalless draw, this time at Southampton. We finished in twentieth spot a point ahead of Sheffield United and six ahead of Fulham who were both relegated. The Hammers finished comfortably mid table in twelfth. The two Manchester clubs vied for top spot with the Light Blue half, City edging out the Red Devils (United) for the title by just two points.
Thanks to CCFPA’s Mike Young & Dean Nelson for sourcing the photos
