Matchday Memories: On This Day 1967 – Sky Blues Bustling Bobby Beats Blackburn At Ewood
On this day (25th March) in 1967, the Sky Blues under their charismatic manager Jimmy Hill were on their way to winning promotion from Division Two. The club was unbeaten in the league since November 19th, a run that would continue right up to the season’s end. Today’s match, against one of their rivals, Blackburn Rovers was one of their 23 wins that season and a vital one, albeit the margin was narrow against promotion rivals on their own patch. Rovers had won their last five matches, so would be a tough nut to crack!
There was a splendid and enthusiastic crowd of 26,380 at Ewood Park to watch the game. The Rovers fans were hoping for revenge after the Sky Blues had beaten them by two clear goals at Highfield Road back in mid October. The City’s scorers then, both in the first half, (both later CCFPA members) were forceful inside forward pair (the late) John Tudor and (and twice future Sky Blue manager) Bobby Gould.
It was the visiting fans who came away cheerful with a Sky Blue ‘double’ over their Rovers rivals. The win was thanks to a 51st minute goal from none other than bustling Bobby Gould! Bobby harried Rovers’ ‘keeper John Barton into dropping a cross from Ron Rees to net.
