Jimmy Hill CCFC Manager 1961-67
On this day (13th November) in 1965 the Sky Blues of Jimmy Hill were going great guns in their Division Two campaign having won six of their first eight home games. Today's game saw Ipswich Town visit Highfield Road and Bill McGarry's somewhat depleted Tractor Boys went home on the receiving end of a 3-1 defeat! A great crowd of 23,195 watched proceedings. A rare 4-2 reverse at Bolton Wanderers last time out was put behind them as JH's gamble on a young attack paid off!
Ronnie Farmer
Our impressive young winger Peter Denton was fouled for the fifth minute penalty converted by the dependable Ronnie Farmer that sent City on their way. Despite the East Anglian team grabbing an equaliser from Frank Brogan seven minutes later further goals from (Peter's now fellow CCFPA members) Dudley Roberts and Bobby Gould saw the Sky Blues home.
Dudley in the sixties Sky Blue
Dudley, son of CCFC star centre forward of an earlier generation, Ted Roberts, restored the lead after thirteen minutes meeting a Ronnie Rees cross with a fine header (but soon after had to limp off after a bad tackle). City's 'Bobby Dazzler' completed his team's scoring in the second half converting a Ken Hale cross in the 58th minute. With a bit more luck the Sky Blues would have really taken the Suffolk side to the cleaners.
Bobby in the Sky Blue
The Sky Blues took to the field with the following team that November day:-
Bob Wesson*, Mick Kearns, Allan Harris*, Ron Farmer*, George Curtis*, Brian Hill*, Peter Denton*, Dudley Roberts (sub. Ken Hale*), Bobby Gould, Ernie Machin* and Ronnie Rees*
*Sadly, along with JH, Allan, Brian, Peter, Ken, Ernie, George and most recently Bob, Ron and Ronnie have since passed on the the great Sky Blue playing field in the sky! Until his recent passing Ron Farmer was very much a regular at Sky Blues games at the Ricoh/CBS and St Andrews in recent years and always supported CCFPA events alongside other veteran former players. Ronnie, a tricky and influential winger passed only a few days ago. We are pleased to say that every man in the starting line up (as well as our iconic former gaffer and MD the late Jimmy Hill*) later went on to join CCFPA.
The Ipswich Town team lined up:-
Ken Hancock, Joe Davin, Trevor Smith, Cyril Lea, Bill Baxter, Mick McNeil, Joe Broadfoot, Danny Hegan, Frank Brogan, Frank Treacy and Eddie Spearitt. Referee:- H.Richards
In January, in the return fixture at Portman Road, the City were disappointed to lose by the only goal scored (by Danny Hegan in the 67th minute).
However, the Sky Blues later progressed to the Fifth Round of the F.A.Cup going out 3-0 to Everton at Goodison and also reached the Fourth Round of the League Cup when West Bromwich Albion taught them a 6-1 lesson at the Hawthorns.
CCFC 1965-66 (August)
Ipswich Town finished fifteenth in Division Two in 1965-66. Though they won their last two games the Sky Blues just missed out on promotion from Division Two finishing third behind Champions Manchester City and promoted Southampton. However, they went on to reach the 'promised land' of Division One the following season with JH still at the helm. Middlesbrough and Leyton Orient suffered the drop this season.
Thanks to CCFPA's Mike Young for sourcing the images. Share Post