CCFC v QPR 1976
On this day (9th November) in 1976 the Sky Blues, managed for the last four seasons by (now CCFPA member) Gordon Milne, entertained Queen's Park Rangers in a Division One fixture at Highfield Road and came out on top by two clear goals in front of 16,184 fans.
Ian in the Sky Blue
Q.P.R. were managed by (the late) Dave Sexton who went on to succeed Gordon in the Sky Blue managerial chair in 1982!
This was an intriguing game which the Sky Blues dominated for all but a twenty minute spell in the second half when, inspired by the Rangers' tricky and influential forward Stan Bowles, the away side attempted a spirited comeback.
CCFPA member Barry Powell had given the Sky Blues a deserved sixteenth minute lead finishing a great move beginning with our goalie (and fellow CCFPA member) Jim Blyth.
Sky Blue Donal Murphy
Thus, the Sky Blues went in a goal to the good at half-time. This lasted until our Irish forward Donal Murphy killed off the Q.P.R. revival with a goal three minutes from time, so doubling City's lead.
Donal's killer goal was set up by a young Scot making his debut for the Sky Blues, Ian Wallace (now a CCFPA member) who received a standing ovation as the teams left the pitch with the Sky Blues going eleventh as a result of the 2-0 win.
Gordon Milne-CCFC gaffer
Milne's men that day (all apart from Larry and John later becoming CCFPA members) were:-
Jim Blyth, Mick Coop, Bobby McDonald, Terry Yorath, Larry Lloyd, Jim Holmes, John Beck, Donal Murphy, Mick Ferguson, Barry Powell and Ian Wallace.
Manager Dave Sexton on the run
Dave Sexton's Rangers side comprised:-
Phil Parkes, Dave Clement, Ian Gillard, John Hollins, Frank McLintock, David Webb, Dave Thomas, Mick Leach, Don Masson, Stan Bowles and Don Givens Referee:-A.Lees
City drew the return at Loftus Road the following April by one goal each with 'Wally' equalising a Don Masson penalty.
CCFC 1976-77
By the end of the 1976-77 season the Sky Blues had slipped to a position requiring a controversial last day 2-2 survival draw at home to Bristol City which saved both clubs from relegation but condemned Sunderland to the drop (a point shy of their total of 35) along with Stoke City and Tottenham Hotspur.
At the top, Liverpool took the title by a point from Manchester City.
Thanks to CCFPA's Mike Young (& Dean Nelson) for sourcing the images. Share Post