The Coventry City Former Players Association is pleased to announce that our ‘Special Guest’ for next Thursday night’s televised home game at the Ricoh against high flying Sheffield United will be Andy Blair. He will be hoping to see the Sky Blues bounce back from their poor run of form with five League One defeats on the trot. The Sky Blues desperately need a League win at the Ricoh having lost their last two home games and a win over the Blades would go a long way to restoring fast ebbing confidence and perhaps lift CCFC out of the relegation zone. Chris Wilder’s men, of course, include a number of players with previous Sky Blue connections including, if they are selected, forward Leon Clarke, defenders Chris Hussey and, not least, midfielder John Fleck so for Mark Venus’ young charges to overcome them will not be an easy task!
Andy is a longstanding member of CCFPA and is a pretty regular visitor to the Ricoh. Hailing from north of the border, though living locally for much of his life, Andy started for the Sky Blues as apprentice and debuted in Division One against Birmingham City on 28th October 1978 in a 2-1 victory, Andy gained 5 Scottish U21 caps scoring one goal and clocked up over 90 appearances for CCFC (six goals) before moving on to local rivals, the Villa in 1981.
A European Cup Winner whilst at Villa Park, Andy subsequently played for Wolves and Barnsley on loan, Sheffield Wednesday, Aston Villa (again) from 1986-88 and Northampton Town (1988-89). After a brief sojourn with Maltese outfit Naxaar Lions Andy returned to England and turned out for a number of non league clubs.
Andy’s Cup win at Golf Day 2014
Outside the game Andy founded a small local chain of sports and school wear outlets which, as it happens, supplies CCFPA with its popular official ties. He also does some scouting and naturally takes a close interest in the career of his son Matty who is currently a professional with Doncaster Rovers. Andy is also a regular and ace performer at the Association’s annual Golf Day reunions. He has also been enthusiastically helping CCFPA and local author Steve Phelps round up interviews with fellow members of the Sky Blues 1980-81 squad (who got to the Semi Finals of the League Cup) for Steve’s upcoming book on that campaign.
Andy will be interviewed around the lounges at the Ricoh before the game and is sure to be ‘lightly grilled’ by CCFPA’s own Billy Bell on the stage at Lady Gs after the game in front of our supporters. Andy will also be riding the airways as BBC CWR’s matchday pundit as the game unfolds for those unable to make it to the Ricoh (k.o. 7.45pm). Welcome Andy!