Gordon Strachan -City's 'gaffer'

On this day (8th November) 25 years ago in 1997 the Sky Blues managed by Gordon Strachan entertained Newcastle United at Highfield Road in a Premier League fixture. Wee Gordon had just signed a new six year contract and both sides were in the top ten so a good and close game was anticipated. And so it proved with the sides going in all square both at half-time and full-time with a few surprises on the way for the 22,670 crowd!

Dion in the Sky Blue

The Sky Blues centre forward Dion Dublin got both City's goals. Former Sky Blue (and now CCFPA member) Stuart Pearce was now a player at St James' Park but didn't turn out in this game. Now also a CCFPA member, Dion scored probably his most notorious goal ever in the Sky Blue in only the fourth minute when the Geordies's Irish international goalie Shay Given 'forgot' about the position of DD behind the goal-line as he made a great gather from a Sky Blue cross and rolled it out to take a punt. Dion sneeked up from behind him, robbed the ball and calmly slotted in.

Paul Williams in the Sky Blue

The Toon Army were bemused until John Barnes grabbed the equaliser, capitalising on a Steve Ogrizovic spill, just after the half hour. The second half proved an even more entertaining contest as eight minutes before the whistle Dion struck his second tidying up after a great shot from Paul Williams was parried by Shay Given - surely the winner. However, with only three minutes to go, City's defence backed off allowing Rob Lee to equalise with a great strike from distance. What a climax to the game! Both teams had to settle for a point in the 2-2 draw in front of 22,670 fans.

Thanks to Dean Nelson you can watch the bizarre goal once more along with other highlights (just click on the image below).

Strachan's Sky Blues that day (CCFPA members underlined) comprised:-

Steve Ogrizovic, Roland Nilsson, David Burrows, Paul D Williams, Gary Breen, Richard Shaw, Paul Telfer, Gary McAllister, Dion Dublin, Darren Huckerby (sub. Simon Haworth -73) and Marcus Hall.

Unused subs: Trond-Egil Soltvedt, Willie Boland, Martin Johansen and Magnus Hedman (gk)

Kenny Dalglish's Toon Army XI comprised:-

Shay Given, Steve Watson, Allesandro Pistone, David Batty (sub. Warren Barton -29), Peacock, Phillipe Albert, Keith Gillespie, Rob Lee, John Barnes, Temuri Ketsbaia and John Beresford Unused subs: Jon Dahl Tomasson, Jimmy Crawford, Des Hamilton and Shaka Hislop (gk) Referee:-Paul Durkin (Dorset)

The two teams fought out a goalless draw in the return at St James' Park the following March.

CCFC 1997-98

The Sky Blues ended the season mid table in eleventh spot whilst Newcastle United were a couple of places below. Arsenal took the title by a point from Manchester United and the relegated trio were Bolton Wanderers, Barnsley and Crystal Palace.

Thanks to CCFPA's Mike Young for sourcing the images. Share Post