On This Day 1974 – Milne’s Men (Mostly Mortimer) Nail Norwich
On this day (26th February) in 1974 the Sky Blues did better than in February 47 years later and got themselves a home win on this day against Norwich City! The Sky Blues were under the management of (now CCFPA member) Gordon Milne and were reasonably comfortable in fourteenth spot in Division One.
The Canaries, however, were struggling propping up the Division so Milne’s Men were favourites for a win. Despite their parlous position the side from East Anglia had not conceded too many goals, however, and CCFC had only managed a scoreless draw at Carrow Road back in mid October.
Today’s game at Highfield Road, in front of the lowest home crowd of the season (16,457), was closer than it needed to be as the Sky Blues squeezed home by the only goal of the game netted after twenty minutes by Dennis Mortimer. Dennis capitalised on some great wing play from Tommy ‘Hutch’ and a knock back from David Cross (all three now fellow CCFPA members)
In truth the Canaries performance was dire and they certainly looked relegation fodder but the Sky Blues were not much better in a poor game. Our main striker David ‘Psycho’ Cross was constantly manhandled by the Canaries central defender Duncan Forbes and ended up with the crowd giving him the bird. The Sky Blues might have won more easily but both Willie Carr and Brian Alderson wasted good chances. Dennis also managed to hit the post before lightening the gloom and giving City both points!
David Cross in the Sky Blue
Gordon Milne‘s Sky Blues that day were:-
Bill Glazier, Mick Coop, Jim Holmes, Dennis Mortimer, the late John Craven, Alan Dugdale, Alan Green (sub. Mick McGuire), the late Brian Alderson, David Cross, Willie Carr and Tommy Hutchison.
Sadly both John and Brian died at a tragically premature age before they could join the Association as all the rest of this team later chose to do.
Dennis who lived in Canley was proud of his England U23 shirt and new car!
John Bond‘s Canaries lined up:-
Kevin Keelan, Mel Machin, John Benson, Dave Stringer, Duncan Forbes, Trevor Howard, Colin Prophett, Ted McDougall, Colin Suggett, Phil Boyer and John Sissons Referee:- Roger Capey.
Norwich City continued in a downward spiral in 1973-74 and were relegated plumb bottom of Division One in 22nd position along with Southampton (20th) and Manchester United (21st). The Sky Blues grabbed themselves a sixteenth place finish, four places above the drop (but only a couple of points) in a tight finish.
At the top of the tree Leeds United took the title five points clear of runners up Liverpool.
