On This Day 1966 – Sky Blues Remove Rams from League Cup
On this day (13th September) in 1966 CCFC’s legendary manager, the late Jimmy Hill, had taken his teams seven games into what would become the Sky Blues’ successful assault on the Division Two Championship having taken the Third Division title in 1963-64. They had made a decent start with three wins and two draws out of the seven games so far starting with en ecouraging 1-0 opening victory over Hull City in front of a bumper 27,740 Highfield Road crowd thanks to a goal from (now CCFPA committee member) Dietmar Bruck.
Tonight’s game, however, gave the team a rest from league matters as the Sky Blues took on fellow Division Two club Derby County at H.R. in the second round of the League Cup (the stage that both teams entered the competition). The Highfield Road crowd was a decent 14,804 and the home supporters saw their team ease through the tie with a win by the odd goal in three and a third round date with Brighton & Hove Albion.
JH had given a first team run out to young ‘Cov. Kid’ reserve full back John Burckitt who had not appeared at all in the previous season after making his debut in October 1964. This would prove to be the last Sky Blue appearance of his total seven outings for ‘Jack’ before he moved on to Walsall in June 1968! Also the Rams had former Sky Blue England ‘keeper Reg Matthews between their sticks!
The goals went in as follows. Three minutes after the half-hour CCFC stalwart (and until his recent death a CCFPA member) Ron Farmer fired home after the Rams’ defence failed to deal adequately with a cross from ‘Gibbo’. The Sky Blues went in at the interval a goal to the good. Then, two minutes before the hour mark, Mick Kearns floated a long ball up to Dave Clements who fired in a stinger which Reg Matthews was able to parry but Clem followed up to score!
It was almost ‘game over’ but Sky Blue ‘keeper Bill Glazier had to make some good saves before being beaten by an 85th minute effort from Billy Hodgson. Derby could have saved the tie had Derek Draper missed the target at the death.
Bill Glazier, Mick Kearns, Jack Burckitt*, Ron Farmer*, George Curtis*, Dietmar Bruck, Ronnie Rees, Ian Gibson*, Bobby Gould, Ray Pointer* and Dave Clements
We are delighted to say, apart from Jack, all members of this team later joined the Association including the five asterisked team members who have, sadly, along with their ‘gaffer’ since passed away!
Reg Matthews*, John Richardson, Peter Daniel, Ron Webster, Bobby Saxton, Phil Waller, Gordon Hughes, Eddie Thomas, Ian Buxton, Derek Draper and Billy Hodgson Referee: A.Dimond
Reg did not always get the warm welcome he deserved from the Sky Blues fans (given his England pedigree as the first ever third tier goalie to represent his country whilst with CCFC) who booed him after he fouled Sky Blues forward Ray Pointer!
Brighton would go on to put the Sky Blues out of the League Cup competition after a replay. City drew 1-1 on the south coast before the Seagulls lowered our colours at Highfield Road 3-1 in early October. City also met the Rams twice in Division Two this season and the Sky Blues got the best of it! On Bonfire Night goals from John Tudor and (the late) Ernie Machin gave us another 2-1 win at Highfield Road and on April Fools Day the Sky Blues came away with a point in a 2-2 draw at Derby County‘s Baseball Ground with goals from Bobby Gould and Ernie again!
