Matchday Memories: On This Day 1988 – See Sky Blue ‘Roy Of Rovers’ Secure ‘Spurs Stalemate

Thirty four years ago, on this day (23rd November) in 1988, scorer of one of the best Wembley goals ever in the Sky Blues 1987 F.A.Cup victory against Tottenham Hotspur Keith Houchen, poached another one against them, this time at Spurs’ own White Hart Lane. Nicknamed ‘Roy of the Rovers’ for his exploits in the 1986-87 F.A.Cup run, Keith contributed the Sky Blues equaliser after 73 minutes in the 1-1 draw by snapping up a rebound to net from close range. City, who had many of the 1986-87 players in the team were in their all yellow strip for the game.

Terry Venables men had already been deducted a couple of league points for failing to fulfil their home opener against the Sky Blues and Tottenham were pleased not to have lost three more in this one!

Steve in the Sky Blue

Actually, ‘Spurs had not beaten City since even before the May Final and the run continued on this day as the Sky Blues, still orchestrated by player turned ‘gaffer’ John Sillett, gave as good as they got. In a free flowing game, watched by 21,961 in North London, Paul Stewart had given the ‘Spurs the lead as early as the eleventh minute of the first half.

There was plenty of chances and goal match action at both ends and, though ‘Spurs new £2m man Paul Gascoigne was kept quiet, others came close, including the Sky Blues young midfielder Steve Sedgley who could have won it near the end.

Thanks to former CCFPA committee member Dean Nelson you can watch the goal highlights by clicking on the image below:-

John Sillett- Sky Blue ‘gaffer’

Sillett’s Sky Blues that day were:-

Steve Ogrizovic, Brian Borrows, Greg Downs, Steve Sedgley, Brian Kilcline (c), Trevor Peake, David Phillips, David Speedie, the late Cyrille Regis, Keith Houchen and David Smith

We are delighted to say that our manager (the late) John Sillett and every man jack of this side later went on to join CCFPA.

Terry Venables‘ ‘Spurs XI that day was as follows:-

Bobby Mimms, Guy Butters, Mitchell Thomas, Terry Fenwick, Chris Fairclough, Gary Mabbutt, Paul Moran (sub. Paul Walsh -1), Paul Gascoigne, Chris Waddle, Paul Stewart and Vinnie Samways (sub. Paul Allen -2)    Referee:- A.Gunn

The score was repeated in the return at Highfield Road in March with Chrissie Waddle needing to equalise a Sky Blue strike from Gary Bannister.

CCFC 1988-89

Sadly, the Sky Blues went on to just miss out on European qualification in a great season, finishing seventh in Barclay’s Division One. ‘Spurs were tucked in just in front of them in sixth.  Arsenal and Liverpool raced each other to the finish post and only goal average separated them at the end with the Gunners just pipping the Reds for the Division One title.

The sad trio who finished just below Aston Villa (who were safe by only a point in seventeenth place) and were therefore relegated were, in descending order, Middlesbrough, West Ham United and (bottom) Newcastle United.

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