Coventry City FC (The Bantams, Sky Blues)

An extremely sad and moving article appears in todays Daily Mail about Jimmy Hill who is suffering from Alzheimer's disease and can no longer recognise nor communicate with people. There are numerous lovely photos of happier times in the article and his wife Bryony has written a book; "My Gentleman Jim: A Love Story". Read the article here.

Midland Red, Tony S, thanks for the info, very sad.

10th December 1983 - the day we beat Liverpool, the then Division 1 league leaders, 3-0 with Terry Gibson scoring a hat-trick! Clicking the image will take you to the Coventry Telegraph web page to view highlights of the game.

Thought it was 4-0 Here's the programme cover The Reds beat Sky Blues 5-0 at Anfield in the reverse fixture and went on to record their third successive league title, while CCFC fell away and finished just above the relegation zone in 19th position Still, I recall it was a great day for the Highfield Road faithful

You spotted my deliberate mistake then?

Sad to see this though this morning - Jimmy Hill's passing. Sky Blue Legend. Mods note: A separate thread "Jimmy Hill" has been opened

Sad to report that another ex-City manager, Don Howe, passed away today at the age of 80. Howe was manager for the second half of the 1991-2 season following the sacking of Terry Butcher. He was known for his defensive tactics and kept city up by the skin of their teeth. At one point during his tenure City kept 5 clean sheets in a row, including 4 successive 0-0 draws. Maybe not a club legend in the style of JH but it was important that we were there for the launch of the Premier League the following season.

Sad news indeed, MisterD-Di - towards the end of a year where there seem to have been a large number of deaths of former City players and officials, Bantams and Sky Blues Alan Leather, Ken Hale, Peter Hill, Steve Mokone, Trevor Lewis, Ernie Hannigan, Ken Cornbill, Paul Oliver, M

"THE OLD FIVE" Where did it originate?

THE OLD FIVE was used all the time in the early 1930's so I think if one could look at results around that time the score was often 5 goals, the only answer I can think of. Clarrie Bourton was the Rooney of those days.

Kaga, you are correct that City were free-scoring in the early/mid 1930s. The number of times they scored 5 or more in a game was: 1931/2: 7, 1932/3: 6, 1933/4: 8, 1934/5: 5 & 1935/6: 7. So in 5 seasons the 'Old Five' happened 33 times. Over those five seasons they scored 108, 106, 100, 92 & 102 goals, a total of 508 goals in 5 seasons. I believe this is the only example of a team averaging over 100 goals in 5 seasons or reaching the ton in 4 seasons out of 5. It has to be said that they used to concede quite a lot too, and they finally achieved promotion in 1936. It would seem that Highfield Road was not short of entertainment in that era and there were many crowds of 20000+.

Midland Red Who wrote the piece which you put up about historical kits? I found it fascinating and informative and would like to contact the author but am not keen on going through the Outlook 2003 Start Up process as indicated.

Right at the bottom of the kits page is a "contact me" button where you can email "dave"

Mister D-Di, thanks for your reply, from about 34 to 38 I watched nearly all their home games, often, had about fifty signed photos Cov, Leicester, Villa etc players. Used to swop 'fag cards' with my mates of all the players, one year the cigarette cards did a series of rules cards, showing players the correct way to throw the ball etc There were proper books to stick them in, same with cricketers, film stars, etc.