CCFC's Manager, Noel Cantwell

On this day (November 9th) in 1968, in Noel Cantwell's first full season in charge of the Sky Blues, the team was struggling in the bottom reaches of Division One. This 3-0 win against fellow strugglers Stoke City (the so called 'Ceramic City' at the Victoria Ground in front of a crowd of 16,117 and the resultant two points was therefore gratefully received and kept CCFC out of the relegation zone.

This was our first away win since February the previous season.

Sky Blue Tony Hateley

The Sky Blues twin striker strategy worked a treat as first Tony Hateley (whose son Mark later played in the same position for the Sky Blues and became an Association member) grabbed a brace on seven and 41 minutes and, then striking partner, Neil Martin completed the scoring with 22 minutes to go.

Tony's first, a bullet header from an Ernie Machin cross was complemented by his emphatic hooked strike after Stoke City's Alan Bloor failed to clear from 'Ernie' Hunt.

Neil leads out the Sky Blues

Neil finished off the Potteries side with a looping header which was good enough to beat their England goalie Gordon Banks! The Sky Blue Army travelled home with hope in their hearts.

The Sky Blues fielded the following team that November:-

Bill Glazier, Mick Coop, Dave Clements, Ernie Machin*, George Curtis*, Brian Hill*, Ernie Hunt* (sub. John Tudor), Ian Gibson*, Tony Hateley*, Neil Martin and Willie Carr

*sad for City fans that so many of these Sky Blues stalwarts (asterisked) are no longer with us. We were delighted that all of this team, apart from Tony, were later able to join this Association.

Tony Waddington's Stoke XI lined up:-

Gordon Banks, Jackie Marsh, Alex Elder, Eric Skeels, Alan Bloor, Mike Bernard, John Mahoney, Peter Dobing, David Herd, Willie Stevenson and Harry Burrows Referee:- D.Laing

City later drew 1-1 with Stoke City in the return at Highfield Road in March with a Willie Carr goal just after the hour mark salvaging the point for City.

Another cliff-hanging season's end awaited the Sky Blues and the 0-0 draw they achieved in the last game of the season at Highfield Road ensured not only the possibility of safety for CCFC but that opponents Liverpool could not catch eventual title holders Leeds United in the battle for the Division One championship.

City had to wait on Leicester City to complete their five outstanding league games to be certain of survival but fortunately the Foxes lost their final game at Old Trafford and went down (with Queen's Park Rangers) a point and place behind the Sky Blues twentieth spot with Stoke City two points and one place better off!

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