Popular Sky Blues former striker ‘Dele’ Adebola will be the Association’s second ‘special guest’ of the 2016-17 season as he attends the Sky Blues first Ricoh League One fixture on Saturday (13th August 2016) against Shrewsbury Town.
Nigerian born but brought up in Liverpool, young Dele cut his footballing teeth with Crewe Alexandra from 1993. Hitting 46 goals in 152 first team appearances prompted a 1998 chance with Birmingham City for £1m. A similar hit rate at St Andrews led to a move to Crystal Palace for season 2002-03. Garry McAllister then brought the big man to Highfield Road in 2003 though he really came good under gaffer (and CCFPA member) Micky Adams.
Dele is signed up by CCFPA’s Frank Pritchard in Feb.2014
Unforgettably, Dele scored a brace in the Sky Blues first ever game (and win) against Q.P.R. at the Ricoh in 2005-06 (CCFPA member Claus Bech Jorgensen got the opener)! This was on top of also scoring in the 6-2 demolition Derby game in the farewell match at Highfield Road at the end of the previous season. A unique achievement! By the time this popular front man moved on to Bristol City in January 2008 he had clocked up 36 goals in his 182 first team appearances.
Dele at the Ricoh
A genial giant of a striker, Dele became a bit of a wandering star, first loaned to Burnley and Bradford City whilst at CCFC and then having spells with Forest, Hull, Notts County, Rochdale and Wrexham after leaving Ashton Gate in 2009. He ended his career (in 2013) with non-league Rushall Olympic in his late 30s. A career total of over 750 first class appearances is something to be proud of.
Dele still regularly attends our Legends Day reunions and some home games as well as making charity appearances for our Legends XI. As usual with our ‘Saturday specials’ we hope, before the game, ‘Dele will be able to visit our Associate Member Pat Raybould and her hard working team who entertain the club’s youngest generation of supporters in the CCFC Family Zone under the Ricoh stands. He will also be touring the supporters’ lounges before kick-off and after the game, no doubt, will take a turn at Q&A in front of the Sky Blue Army on stage in Lady G’s in the Ricoh’s G-Casino with CCFPA vice chair Billy Bell.
For those fans who cannot make it to the game they can listen in to ‘Dele’s words of football wisdom as he gives the BBC CWR live matchday commentary team the benefit of his analysis as the game unfolds. Welcome back ‘Dele!!