2004 - A SKY BLUE REVIEW
As John Lennon sung “another year’s over a new one’s just begun.” 2004 will go down in history at Coventry City just as every year before it has as well. This was the last full year at Highfield Road a ground that has seen many great matches, wins and success over the years but that enough about the late 60’s the rest of the time it has been a miserable place. In 2004 we have seen three managers and 41 different players used, this is in fact the lowest number of players used in a calendar year since we have been relegated in 2002 when used 45 and in 2003 we used 50. This year we have earned 54 league points in 45 games that would of put around 18th place in the league. In 2002 we gained 63 points mid-table but in 2003 we only managed to rack up 42 points, which would have seen us go down. This year also seen the building of the new Arena, a protracted take over bid that never got out of the play grounds and a short period of hope cruelly dashed.
January (you start the year of fine or sick and tied of you hanging on me)
Sad news on the first day of the year oldest surviving player Charlie Elliot died. First game of the new year was a FA cup clash at home to Peterborough assistant manager Black shocked and delighted everyone by recalling Gary McSheffrey from a massively successful loan spell at Luton, McSheffrey responded by curling a free kick into the net and helping City to a 2-1 win. The team that day was Ward, Whing, Warnock, Staunton, Konjic, Davenport, McSheffrey, Safri, Adebola, Joachim and Doyle with Courtney Pitt making one of his only two appearances as a late sub. City’s first league game was at home to Watford and a 0-0. Pitt played his only league match with us making him only of only 29 players to play a single league match for the City. Also playing that day was Dean Gordon, Craig Pead and Patrick Suffo. Adebola was suffered from a lot of negative reaction from the crowd despite a good performance. The first big news of the new year came on Monday 12th as Gary McAllister announced he would by stepping down from the job as manager to look after his sick wife on a full time basis. McAllister had a tough job as City’s manager with no money and being manager of a club that nearly went under three times the previous year. Eric Black was appointed as the caretaker manager this made sense, as his results when Macca was away were encouraging. City signed up veteran coach Archie Knox to assist Black in the running of team it seemed a dream ticket young and hungry manager backed by a wily “old head.” The next league match was away to Walsall and at half time City held Walsall to 1-1. The 2nd half was to be unbelievable was City forwards ripped apart the Saddlers defence lead by a rejuvenated Julian Joachim and City ended up winning 6-1 with McSheffrey missing a late penalty. Making his calm and influential debut in midfield that day was Black’s first signing Frenchman Eric Deloumeaux, Richard Shaw also played for the first time in 2004. What a start to a new era! Next up were Colchester at home in the cup with the 5th round in our sights Black made the cardinal sin of changing a winning side, in came Adebola and McSheffrey and Morrell played wide with Morrell looking out of his depth there. Adebola scored in the wrong end and City drew, Black was slated for the change and some supporters never forgave him for that. Icelandic midfielder Bjanri Gudjonsson made his debut in that game. Next game City were held at home by Ipswich with Graham Barrett making his first appearance of the season, City ended the month in 15th place 10 points behind the play off place but 13 ahead of relegation.
February (Month of purification)
Could we purify ourselves of Colchester in the replay? No such luck as City put in a truly spineless performance and lost 3-1 nowhere near the most embarrassing defeat we ever had in the cup but it hurt. Next game away to Nottingham Forest and keeper Scott Shearer recalled for his first match of the year a 1-0 victory this resulted in the sacking of Forest boss Ian Hart but relieved the pressure on Eric Black. Next match was a 2-0 home defeat by league leaders Norwich City defender Martin Grainger on loan from Birmingham made his debut. Next up was a trip to a new ground for most of us as we took on Wimbledon Dons at Milton Keynes and side that should never be aloud to play a game, they were bottom and City took full advantage with Peter Clark making his debut from Everton, Youssef Safri returned from a successful African nations Cup and with Gudjonsson finally showing some good form helped City to an easy 3-0 victory “3-0 and were very cold” we sang at the Hockey Stadium. Things were staring to look up we were the second highest scores away from home in this division and maybe City could end a run of consecutive lower finished then the previous seasons. The month ended with a 2-0 home victory over struggling Derby County. City ended the month in 12th place only 8 points from the play offs and 22 from relegation what a difference Black & Knox had made.
March (Going to march you up the table)
First match of the month saw City travel to Cardiff only 26 seconds into the game Peter Clarke flew in with a bad tackle and the referee sent him off, the quickest red card in City’s history. What was to happen in the next 90 minutes defies belief one of the best away performances I have ever seen. City at first sat back with Shearer saving an early penalty as the game went on we soaked up everything Cardiff had and looked the most dangerous side. Halfway though the second half Joachim wins a penalty, McSheffrey scores from the spot and City hang on for an incredible win, and memories of the smoke bomb and the “fluffy sheep song” will live on it seemed incredible it was only a month before we returned from Colchester. That meant 3 consecutive away league victories only ever bettered once in our history. Next match was away to West Brom in 2nd place City lost 3-0 despite outplaying Albion it was clear the Sky Blues needed some strength and height in the team. A 4-0 victory over Burnley next followed with City playing some sweet football with Gudjonsson, McSheffrey and Joachim in devastating form. Next up was Preston at home Eric Black had signed on loan Brian Kerr he played for City the previous season and made no impact at all his seconds spell at the club provided to be just as fruitful. City stunned everyone by racing into a 3-0 lead after only 11 minutes in the end we recorded a 4-1 victory with the luxury of Gudjonsson failing from the penalty spot for his hat trick. The City management team were looking high and low for a big centre forward as Adebola failed to impress we signed on loan from Portsmouth Polish forward Sebastian Olszar he came on as a late sub against Preston and turned out to be one in a long list of hopeless forwards at the club and would only last a month. City moved within 2 points of the play offs but had played more games then our rivals. Sadly Birmingham then recall Martin Grainger who had been instrumental in shoring up the defence, sadly Grainger would pick up an injury that would force him to retire before the year was out. A couple of defensive headers in a play off 6 pointer away to Wigan lead to a 2-1 defeat, with Stephen Warnock again outstanding in midfield. On the 25th City seemed finally to get their man as 6’ 3” target man Onandi Lowe is signed from Rushden with his contract being taken over by the club he had score 15 goals in 26 games for Rushden despite off the field discipline problems. At last seemed the muscle we need up front, Adebola moves on loan to Burnley. Work permit hold up prevented Lowe making his debut against Reading at home and City tumbled to their third consecutive defeat 2-1. The bad run at the end of the month meant we were 8 points off the play offs.
April (The month of the fool)
First match of the month was at Stoke we hopped to see Lowe make his debut but he missed his flight back from an international in Jamaica City went on to loose 1-0 and drift further away from the play offs, Warnock again the best player. City desperately needed a win and got it when Millwall turned up, Lowe finally made it and was a substitute. Olszar played the whole match and was hopeless he returned to Portsmouth, Gudjonsson was delivering corners to perfection, Lowe made his debut and City won 4-0 to keep tabs on the play off places. Easter Monday over to Crewe and a disappointing 3-1 defeat the only highlight a goal from Lowe. Next up was a trip to West Ham. City put in a poor performance and lost 2-0, but the big story was Onandi Lowe was refused permission to get on the team coach a day before incredibly he was arrested for possession of £50,000 worth of drugs with intent to supply. City did the honourable thing and sacked Lowe so missing out on a target man that still could off gotten us to the play offs other teams (Leicester) would of let him play. The outside chance of a play had faded in a bad month with only 1 win and three defeats but the month had still its biggest surprise waiting, but first we played relegation threatened Rotherham at home a disappointing 1-1 draw resulted. The player of the season awards were held after with Whing and Warnock amongst the winners. Chatted to a chirpy Eric Black at the awards after confirming the pre-season tour would be in Germany again the whole atmosphere seemed very upbeat. Then the big news on April 27th the Coventry Evening Telegraph relieved local businessman Jojar Dhinsa backed by Russian millionaires wanted to take over the club, it was the first the board heard about it but Chairman Mike McGinity said, “he would be fool not to listen.” It seemed too good to be true our very own Abraovich.
May (the month of spring, new hope?)
First game in May was away to relegation battlers Gillingham City with nothing too play for hit form and went 3-0 up Gillingham had player-manager Hessenthaler sent off and promptly reduced the arrears to 3-2 up popped McSheffrey to make it 4-2 then suddenly we couldn’t believe our eyes as Richard Shaw in the last minute arrived to rifle home his very first goal for the club the fans went ballistic. Despite some set backs like Clark and Grainger’s clubs refusing to let them go out on loan for longer then a month, despite Lowe being arrested for drug possession City looked in a healthy state and we all looked forward to next season hardly believing as we left the Priestfield that we would be brought down to earth by the most incredible piece of business by any of our chairman in our history. The next day a massive rumour spread that Black would be sacked and Peter Reid would be our new boss. The next day it was confirmed McGinity had sacked one of the most promising young manager we had for years, the chairman who promised never to lie to us blamed inconsistency in sacking Eric Black despite the fact at when he took over we were closer to relegation then promotion, he had moulded an exciting team that if it wasn’t for a bit of bad luck could of made the play offs. It all still seems a sick joke. McGinity wanted to wait until after the last game of the season to stab Black in the back, he promised to resign if City didn’t make the play offs next season, he would turn out to be the biggest fool in our history or a genius. Experienced coach Archie Knox left as well to be replaced by Adrian Heath. We still had one last match a home tie with Palace, Peter Reid’s first match in charge, it seemed a surreal atmosphere as City played some great football to win 2-1 young full back Stuart Giddings made his debut, but Palace still made the play offs the season was over but most City fans felt like their were thumped in the stomach.
The Closed season
Dhinsa met McGinity for the first time for a face-to-face chat on the quiet in a small hotel but when a film crew turned up the Chairman stormed out accusing Dhinsa of just wanting the publicity. May 13th and Peter Reid’s first action was another thump in the stomach Big Mo Konjic was sold to Derby as we refused to give him a two year contract, big Mo didn’t have a great season but he had become a cult figure with the fans we all hoped Reid could sign someone to fill his boots and be a bit more consistent. Other players left Brian Kerr, Stephen Warnock returned to Liverpool the fans’ player of the year award, Safri was sold to Premiership new boys Norwich, Joachim left after discovering his best form in three years since joining us for Leeds, Gavin Ward also was released from his contract and so was Dean Gordon we waited for the transfers to start and for Reid to start bringing a side capable of a play off challenge. Nearing the end of the month the company building the area said it would not be available for sale as rumours had it Dhinsa and his consortium were looking to buy. As we were waiting for news on the take over and new players we settled down to see our new manager as a panellist on the BBC on the covering of the European Championships. Meanwhile other Championship league managers, yes they decided to change the name of our league again, were already building for next season and Peter Reid employed by the club seemed to be doing nothing. Half way thought the European Championship the rumour that Phil Babb was on the verge of signing it seemed that Peter Reid had been running up a phone bill to strengthen the squad. Nearing the end of the Championship and into July City sign up loan player Bjanri Gudjonsson it seemed Reid’s first signing was a popular one. One day after the final Reid signs up Charlton Athletics’ forgotten midfielder Stephen Hughes who looked to have the difficult task of replacing Stephen Warnock. The management team tried in vain to sign Warnock back on loan but failed. The next day 6th of July Manchester United reserve Neil Wood signs he was yet another midfielder. Then on July the 9th the first real big name experienced Tim Sherwood joins an old head in the team seemed a good move but the fourth midfielder signed so far. Eddy Johnson a forward from Manchester United reserves was next on board another player on paper that seemed to be class; maybe it would work out under Reid after all. Richard Shaw was announced as the new reserve team boss as the longest serving player signed a new contract
Mid July we set off for our annual jaunt to see the City pre-season in Germany, after a long days travelling finding our hotel in Saarbrücken we made our way to play the Gumünden selection of the Hunnstruck 3-0 up at half time the heavens open and the game was washed out Reid was not a happy man. The next game was against FSV Oggersheim and we romped to a 7-2 victory with Adebola shocking the small handful of City fans with 5 goals, still Reid and Heath seemed approachable and my optimism grew for the new season. 22nd July it was announced that our new ground would be called the “Jaguar Arena” I couldn’t think off a better name for the new ground. We lost the next match to Saarbrücken. On the final day of the tour we were involved in a mini tournament, Peter Reid had already flown home allegedly for a family birthday this was very curious thing to do. City won the tournament beating Pirmansens and then Grevenmacher in the final Davenport lifted a big cup and we all speculated whether he lift another one after the play off final? Back home rumours were flying that Dion Dublin would return to the club but nothing came of that. A 2-2 draw away to Notts County followed by a 0-0 home draw with Norwich rounded off pre season.
August (the month of honour)
First match of the last season at Highfield Road was against Reid’s old side Sunderland he gave debuts to Hughes, Johnson and a full back signed from Bristol City called Louie Carey. Johnson scored on his debut with City winning 2-0 Davenport looked impressive Sherwood came on late and City where top of the league. Next up was a trip to Cardiff seen of incredible heroics last season Reid was ill and didn’t travel but he played 5 in midfield to accommodate Sherwood. The negative tactics of five in midfield was not very popular and we lost 2-1. Next up a long trip to Brighton, Reid switched back to 4-4-2 to see a last minute goal for Brighton to grab a draw. City still hadn’t replaced Konjic but Davenport was in outstanding form as City chased the signing of the American defender Tony Sanney. Millwall came to Highfield Road next to beat us 1-0 Millwall fans couldn’t believe that they were hammered 4-0 here the previous season by the same side. Rumours were now growing about the future of Callum Davenport as Newcastle seemed to be the best placed to sign him, apparently the chairman had been in talks to sell him for a few million and get him back on loan for the rest of the season. City dispatched Torquay in the league Cup with Neil Wood making an impressive debut; Suffo becomes only the third player in our history to score two from the bench as we win 4-1. City then went on to destroy Forest away 4-1 a performance every bit as good as the ones in the Eric Black days, Hughes was looking impressive. Then more rumours started to surface Davenport move to Newcastle had broken down when they sacked their manager and it was rumoured Spurs were in for him for three million pounds tops. A even more nasty rumour was spread that Spurs would buy him before loaning him out to West Ham with Spurs having no intention of playing him just being used as middle men to buy a central defender for one of our main promotion rivals. Ironically West Ham were our next opponents and just before kick off it was announced Davenport would be leaving for Spurs for a meagre £1.1-£3 million. City fell behind but Peter Reid managed something that Eric Black never did and came from behind to win, inspired by Davenport fought back to win 2-1 with two quality goals from Doyle and Morrell. City ended the month in 5th place only 4 points of the promotion zone but without Davenport I had a nasty feeling this would be the highpoint of the season.
September (Month of atonement)
Peter Reid is the first manager since Strachan to have any money he acts quickly by starting negotiations with Norwich defender Malky MacKay, then the news we have all been dreading Davenport goes on loan to West Ham, worse was to follow as Malky MacKay decides to join the Hammers as well, more blows to the stomach. City then loose 3-0 away to Leeds with Joachim scoring his first goal for Leeds. Peter Reid then spends the first part of the Davenport transfer on Birmingham striker Stern John for £200,000 if Reid planned to spend more it was ended when the bank insisted on the rest of the Davenport money to pay off some debts. Next game was at home to Gillingham Reid decided on playing 5-4-1 at home to everyone’s displeasure, making their debuts were goalkeeper Luke Steele defender Dean Leacock and Stern John City race to a 2-0 lead thanks to debut penalty goal from John but throw it away to end 2-2. John became the 33rd forward to score on his debut. Next up was Rotherham at home Matty Mills a last minute loan signing from Southampton made his debut in defence again the dreaded 5-4-1 formation was played against the bottom side in the league we could only draw 0-0 many pointed to the comments of the Chairman when he said last seasons 1-1 home draw with Rotherham as one reason why Black was sacked. Then City only just sneak past Sheffield Wednesday in the league cup 1-0 with Claus Jorgensen making his first appearance of the year. A battling 1-1 draw away to Sheffield United lifted the gloom a touch. A tricky trip to QPR followed and City crashed 4-1 in a dreadful display Staunton reacts to fans criticism by mouthing “fu*k off” to the away fans. The Dhinsa take over saga continued but got no closer the Chairman told him “to put up or shut up” City ended a dreadful month in 17th place but only 4 points of the play offs and 4 points of relegation
October (Halloween horror?)
The month starts with a 2-1 defeat at home to Ipswich, later in that week FIFA president Stepp Blatter accused City of threatening to drop John if he played for his country. Mills returns to Southampton. The Chairman and manager go on the Bob Brolly radio phone in show, Reid promises to switch back to 4-4-2 and the Chairman attacks Dhinsa accusing him of being only in it for the PR, “put up or shut up” was herd again. The next game was at home to Leicester, Rowan Ricketts makes his debut after coming in on loan from Spurs, City is held to 1-1. Dhinsa invites fans to have breakfast with him and announces his plans for the take over he expected to put his bid in on the 30th of November and had lined up Gerard Houlier to take over from Reid. City then were held 2-2 away to Burnley with Steele outstanding again. Another trip north saw us at league leaders Wigan and despite an encouraging first half City loose 4-1, McSheffrey returned from another loan spell at Luton and John disappointed again. A trip to Middlesbrough was next on the cards for a cup game before the game the Chairman had a heated debate with City fans about the sacking of Black, they pointed out all Blacks defeats but forgot to mention’s Reid’s “Put your trust in Dhinsa if you want!” was the Chairman’s departing words City went out tamely 3-0. More defenders in the news as City chase Portsmouth’s full back Sebastian Schemmell. Failing to land Schemmell City sign Bolton defender Florent Laville on loan. Just before the home game with Reading the club announces the signing of Reading’s highly rated defender Adie Williams, Williams doesn’t play in the game which sees Laville make his debut in a rip-roaring game City come from behind to win 3-2 our league first win since Davenport left City ended the month 10 points off the play offs but only 5 points above relegation.
November (Fireworks and maybe takeovers launched)
City kicked off the month with a 1-1 home draw with Preston with Williams making his debut. Next up was the local derby away to Leicester, the Sky Blues returned to the hated 5-4-1 formation and put in one the worst displays in years to loose 3-0. After the match it was alleged that Reid had offered to resign McGinity refused to accept. The next day Dublin’s name appeared again as he approached Reid at Leicester asking for a transfer back to Coventry. City needed a lift as a protest was organised by one web site for the Plymouth game, McGinity brought in extra security to quash any signs of democracy. No signs of protest as City win 2-1 with Hughes again outstanding in midfield, Adebola made a massive impact after returning from his loan spell at Bradford as a late sub. Next up was the AGM the Chairman was suing a web site for an article attacking the board. One question asked was “Did the board think the football side of the club had moved on in 6 months?” There was a total silence from the board. The guy that asked the question said “I take that as a no then!” MM rose to his feet clearly angered by the allegation he was restrained by Mr Robinson MP and Peter Reid answered the question. The Chairman looked a worried man and not too well. A short trip to Wolves resulted in an excellent performance and a 1-0 victory things were looking up on the field at last. Despite the improvements only on 5 occasions since the play off were introduced had a side from the bottom half made it into the top six it looked an uphill task. City next entertained Crewe at home and did everything but score; City had around 34 shots but still lost 1-0. The deadline for Dhinsa’s take over bid came and went Dhinsa wanted to see the accounts first, the board wanted proof of Dhinsa’s finances. City ended the month 9 points from the play offs but only 7 points from the relegation zone.
December (oh what a night)
First game of the month was away to Derby and with City coasting 2-0 with minutes to go somehow throw it all away and draw 2-2. City move onto play Stoke and again dominate and again loose 1-0. On the 14th it was announced that Dhinsa had finally pulled out of the take over bid after spending months building up everyone’s hopes. The board had hired a “private eye” to investigate the businessman. Chairman McGinity called it “the best news in years.” Things never run smoothly the next day Jaguar announced they would be no longer be sponsoring the new ground. The mood was lifted with a 1-0 home victory against Watford with Isaac Osbourne playing his first match of the year. On Boxing Day we lost to Sheffield United 2-1 before ending the year at Gillingham. Last season we won 5-2 this year we were outclassed by a team 2nd from bottom and lost 3-1 massive protest against Reid at the end of the game a sad way to end the year. City were 5 points above relegation and a massive 13 off the play off.
Overall 2004 was a big year a year in which any signs of progress were crushed on May the 3rd when Black was axed next year we move to a new ground hopping it will bring us a fresh start and some long waited success but what division will we be in?