Gordon Milne-CCFC gaffer
On this day (5th November) in 1977 Match of the Day cameras were at Highfield Road as The Sky Blues met West Ham United in front of 23,268. Before the game all present stood for a minute's silence in tribute to the late Sir Jack Scamp, the club's former Chairman, who had died earlier in the week. Interestingly, City wore kit which had their numbers on the front of their shirts!
Now CCFPA member, Sky Blues 'gaffer' Gordon Milne was in his fifth season at the helm.
Ian in the Sky Blue
Though the Hammers had won away the previous week at Ipswich Town the Sky Blues were a different proposition and gave the London club a pounding, particularly in the first half.
Impish Sky Blue striker (and good friend to CCFPA) Ian Wallace got the only goal of the game three minutes before the break with an acrobatic diving back header. Things might have been worse for the Londoners as, prior to Wally's goal, the Sky Blues' normally reliable penalty taker Mick Coop (now an Association member) missed his nineteenth minute spot kick (the first such miss in four years) after Frank Lampard had handled in the box.
The Sky Blues held out for a deserved win thanks to Wally's acrobatic effort which you can see again thanks to former CCFPA committee member Dean Nelson by clicking on the image below.
Milne's Men comprised the following team (CCFPA members underlined):-
Jim Blyth, Graham Oakey, Bobby McDonald, Terry Yorath, John Beck, Mick Coop, Donato Nardiello, Ian Wallace, Mick Ferguson (sub. Ray Graydon), Barry Powell and Tommy Hutchison
John Lyall's Hammers' XI was:-
Mervyn Day, Frank Lampard, Paul Brush, Billy Bonds, Tommy Taylor, Geoff Pike, Alan Devonshire, 'Pop' Robson, John Radford, Trevor Brooking and Derek Hales Referee:- E.Hughes
CCFC 1977-78
The Hammers got their revenge on April Fool's Day 1978 beating the Sky Blues 2-1 at the Boleyn with Bobby McDonald replying to goals from Tommy Taylor and Patsy Holland.
Otherwise, City had a really good season in 1977-78 finishing in seventh spot in Division One. West Ham deteriorated during the season and fell through the relegation trap door (with Newcastle United and Leicester City) ending the season in twentieth place a point shy of safety.
Nottingham Forest took the Division One title by seven points from Liverpool this season.
Thanks to CCFPA's Mike Young for sourcing the images. Share Post