The last non-First Division side who won the FA Cup were West Ham when they beat Arsenal with 1-0 in 1980. Kleen-Tex Posted on November 3, 2022 by November 3, 2022 Stuart, aged 39, from Coundon, Coventry, was 14-years-old when he went to see the 87 Cup Final at Wembley Stadium. Sillett achieved top-flight finishes of tenth, tenth, seventh and twelfth. Having broken his rib against Northern Ireland in April, Mabbutt was playing with painkilling injections and was also suffering from a circulation problem, resulting in him playing matches with a numb feeling in his foot. They won six of the first nine championships. [2] We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Retro MBM: Coventry deservedly beat Spurs after an end-to-end thriller. I thought this is hopeless. "Go for it, go for it, City," came the cry from the terraces, the Cup final song being put to full use, the belief felt by the City fans tangible as the minutes ticked by. date 10 May 1980 Another all-London final and yet another appearance for Arsenal in their yellow change shirts. 2. MAY 16, 1987 is a day Sue and Bob Gibbs will never forget it was their wedding day. The injury was treated three times a day at the team hotel in Bournemouth, with Sillett giving regular medical updates to the press, and at one point there did appear to be hope for Borrows. In the famous "Communist Quiz" sketch, the quizmaster (Eric Idle) asks Che Guevara (John Cleese), "In what year did Coventry City last win the FA Cup?". They now jump in their BMWs and go back to their big houses.. He called it "one of the most stirring performances in the history of the FA Cup" in the Express on the Monday morning. Blink and youll miss me! It was wonderful. The story was front page news come Monday, the Daily Mirror headline "What a cock-up" emphasising the furore that had been caused by the incident. West Ham took the initiative with a thirteenth minute goal and held out for the rest of a rather uninteresting game. We've raided the Telegraph's archives for a full picture special of the big day in 1987 - as well as talking to some of the fans that were at Wembley to witness Sky Blues history being made. Undeterred by their early setback, Coventry settled down and were rewarded just seven minutes after going behind. Later in the second half City skipper Kilcline was injured making a challenge on Mabbutt, with Graham Rodger replacing him as the Final entered extra time. Sillett was not the only manager gaining plaudits before the final. This event will bring together Coventry City . 1986-87 FA Cup final: Coventry City (won 3-2 against Tottenham Hotspur) Coventry celebrate what would be the winning goal in the 1987 final against Spurs Credit: Mark Leech/Rex Features. It may have been perceived as a trifling matter to many, but to Tottenham it was plain embarrassing and to the watching Holsten representatives it was a farce. Unhappy players, contract negotiations and injuries were the other dominant factors as the countdown to the final began in earnest. In this series first published in matchday programme PUSB, writer Rob Mason reflects on Mark Robins is the latest in a long line of Sky Blue Supremos, the men who have tried to bring success to City. The 1930-31 FA Cup was the 56th staging of the world's oldest football cup competition, the Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup. It was hard to disagree. In fact, it was Gynn who had the last clear-cut chance of the afternoon, Clemence denying him a goal that his endless running merited. Sillett had insisted that Coventry's name was on the trophy and soon it would be. SELF-employed Danny Fordham, who runs a concrete delivery service, painted all trucks sky blue after seeing Coventry City FC win the FA Cup at Wembley. It was all bent out of shape.". Policemen were coming in and filling their helmets with champagne. The FA Cup is still an important competition for Coventry City fans. Photograph: PA, Coventry players celebrate after winning the FA Cup. Sadly, Borrows had to admit defeat on the Friday, his admission to hospital for an operation meaning that he couldn't even attend Wembley on what was supposed to be the biggest day of his career. Matthew and I, a friend of mine, Alan, with his nephew and 70-year-old Norman. The excellent support would soon be rewarded with the goal that would clinch Coventry's FA Cup, and a moment from which a fanzine was born. Numbness was something that Mabbutt would certainly be feeling come the final whistle at Wembley. And what a start to the match. You read that right. It is a classic final that has stood the test of time. Keith Houchen played the ball wide right to Bennett who whipped in a fantastic cross which was met with a diving header by Houchen to make the score 2-2. It wasn't proving a happy day for either keeper so far. Two are of great significance - the 1981 meeting was as Tottenham progressed to their sixth FA Cup win and the 1987 Final saw Coventry unexpectedly end Tottenham's undefeated record in FA Cup Finals. To mark the occasion this year, we've found some rarely-seen photos of CCFC fans taking to the streets in celebration. Someone was sitting on it. Alternatively, please email ifollow@efl.com - note that live chat is recommended for the quickest response on a matchday. You can also analyze Coventry City results for their home or away matches in FA Cup 2021/2022. His wife had given birth just two days before, their child overdue by 10 days. Of their 13-man squad, only Mitchell Thomas had not been capped by his country; they possessed a striker in Clive Allen who was enjoying a stunning season containing 48 goals; and their squad contained a vast wealth of experience on the big stage. The rest of Miller's preview was typical of the pre-match predictions made by journalists and pundits on the morning of the final: Coventry would have to play above themselves and Tottenham below their best if we were to witness a shock. book. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. John Sillett's team upset the. John Sillett's team upset the odds to pick up the historic trophy in a dramatic 3-2 extra-time win over Tottenham Hotspur - and a quarter of a century has now passed. published 30 November 2021 (Image credit: Mike Egerton) John Sillett, fondly known as 'Snoz' throughout the world of football because of his large nose, will forever be remembered for leading. The 62-year-old went to London with a dozen friends from Coventry to watch the game. Fortunately, the Cup final would be played on the lush Wembley turf and not on paper, as, if the majority of the press were to be believed, Coventry were already a goal down before the match had begun. Spurs took an early lead through Clive Allen but were pegged back almost immediately as Dave Bennett round Ray Clemence to score. Sue, aged 52, said: Where we lived everyone had blue and white balloons hanging out of the front of their houses. Jim has been supporting the Sky Blues since 1958 and is a member of the Coventry City Diamond Club. This season they've been kicked out of their home ground, the Ricoh, and have been ground sharing with . David Pleat's work at Luton and his fine first season at Tottenham as well as their strong league position, the club also reached the Littlewoods Cup semi-final had even seen his name mentioned by the Mirror's Harry Harris as a possible successor for Bobby Robson's England post after the 1990 World Cup. But they very nearly did not get to see the game after their tickets were stolen on the way To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Coventrys FA Cup win John and Matthew have recreated that photograph. "I'm going to destroy him, stop him from playing. Look: Fans celebrate Coventry's 1987 FA Cup win, Our free email updates are the best way to get headlines direct to your inbox. But back in the 1980s, when the FA Cup was more prestigious than today, clubs would fight tooth and nail to win the competition and bring glory to their fans. The Hoddle issue was a problem that could wait for the distant future though, with Pleat hopeful the player could bow out in fine style during the Wembley showpiece. Despite having the worst League start in the Club's history, Everton concluded the season by winning the FA Cup for the sixth time, thanks to a display of perseverance and dedication on the part of the players and staff. Coventry City. It's been 32 years since the greatest moment inCoventry City's history - bringing home the FA Cup. And Gary Mabbutt's contract was running down, with Manchester United, Everton and even Arsenal reportedly sniffing around the England defender. Memories from the 49-year-old dad-of-one from Stoke, Coventry, are featured in From Highfield Road to Wembley, an exhibition celebrating the 25th anniversary of the match, at The Herbert. You could see why Tottenham were overwhelming favourites to lift the FA Cup for a record eighth time. Bryan Robson celebrates Manchester United's FA Cup victory at Wembley in 1985. "The man with the Midas touch in the FA Cup strikes gold for Coventry," said Motson, the sounds of Jimmy Hill noisily celebrating in the background apparent to the BBC viewer. At our wedding we had blue flowers and blue ribbons on the cars. We just got caught up in the moment. And so to the day itself. This piece follows on from previous blogs on the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth rounds and semi-finals of the 1986-87 FA Cup. 15 minutes. Both Gary Stevens and Chris Hughton had struggled with injuries throughout the campaign and Pleat eventually opting for Hughton, allowing him the flexibility of utility man Stevens on the bench. Everybody was out of there houses, people were clapping and coming up to us, kissing us, everyone was shaking hands, people were giving us beers, the place was absolutely buzzing it was as if wed won the war., Coventry City's FA Cup winning side of 1987. The Times' David Miller wrote in his preview: "The man who could turn the game for Coventry is Bennett," arguing that he had the ability to "torment Thomas" and provide the ammunition for the likes of Regis and Houchen. 0:1. The Sky Blues lifted the trophy on 16th May 1987 at Wembley, after a 3-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur. He said: do you know your ticket numbers?. Everyone was out of it by 2am. It was a cruel slice of misfortune for the Tottenham defender, but one Coventry fully deserved. Its a day a lot of people will never forget. We came down from the island towards the city centre. I was covered from head to toe in sky blue, I looked ridiculously fantastic. "George and John's Sky Blue Army" lifted the FA Cup in thrilling fashion at Wembley with goals from Dave Bennett, Keith Houchen and the unfortunate Gary Mabbutts knee. But just one week before the final came a moment of misfortune for Brian Borrows which would change the landscape for both him and Gynn. 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