On this day (September 1) 1984, the Sky Blues enjoyed an encouraging ten-day pre-season Scandinavian tour with five wins from six. Things didn’t get off to a great start in the First Division, starting with a 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa on the opening day and a goalless draw against Norwich City at Highfield Road in midweek. The Sky Blue Army were waiting for their first win and first league goal of the season and they got both today when the Sky Blues beat East Midlands rivals Leicester City, then managed by former Sky Blue ‘gaffer’ (and now CCFPA member) Gordon Milne with two clear goals.
‘Cov Kid’ Sky Blue ‘gaffer’ (also a former CCFC player) Bobby Gould had to plead for calm over the public address system at Highfield Road as fans from both sides clashed in a horrific melee a minute after referee Tony Ward started the game. game (pictured left). The players were taken off the field for ten minutes before resuming the field once calm was restored. Since then, the Sky Blues have been in stunning form, although both sides failed to score in the first half.
The Sky Blues scored second-half goals from Bob Latchford after 53 minutes and (now CCFPA committee member) Dave Bennett less than half an hour before the final whistle. Man of the match was Terry Gibson of Sky Blue (now also a member of the CCFPA) who may have scored a hat-trick. The Sky Blues fans in the crowd of 13,322 went home very satisfied.
Future Sky Blue (and CCFPA member) Foxes Kevin MacDonald limped off in his final appearance for the club before moving to Liverpool. In addition to “Ben”, the CCFPA board had another representative from this game as our President Kirk Stephens also played.
The Sky Blues squad for the day was (CCFPA members underlined):-
Steve Ogrizovic, Kirk Stephens (sub Kenny Hibbitt), Stuart Pearce, Martin Jol, Brian Kilcline, Trevor Peake, Dave Bennett, Micky Gynn, Bob Latchford, Terry Gibson and Nicky Platnauer
Gordon Milne’s Foxes ranked as follows:
Mark Wallington, Andy Feeley, Bobby Smith, Kevin MacDonald (sub Ian Banks), Bob Hazell, John O’Neill, Steve Lynex, Gary Lineker, Alan Smith, Paul Ramsey and Andy Peake Referees: Tony Ward
The Foxes were given full compensation in the second leg at Filbert Street two days before Christmas, completely irresponsibly hammering the Sky Blues 5-1 after the Sky Blues had given the lead in the eighteenth minute through (now CCFPA member) Micky Gynn.
Bobby Gould handed over the Sky Blues baton to CCFPA member Don Mackay after the ‘Gouldfather’ was sacked on Boxing Day. The Sky Blues continued their relegation battle though, only making it to the final day after winning three in a row, including a glorious 4-1 demolition of League Champions Everton at Highfield Road! City were eighteenth on equal points (in safety) with Q.P.R.