Just three days after his 73rd birthday, Sky Blues star of the 1960s and Coventry City Former Players Association committee member Dietmar Bruck will be the Association’s special guest at the Sky Blues last home game of the season at the Ricoh on Saturday (22nd April 2017).
The Sky Blues take on mid-table Walsall and with relegation to League Two confirmed at last week’s 1-1 home draw with Charlton Athletic and only one game at Scunny remaining, Dietmar will be hoping Mark Robins’ charges finish at home with a flourish and continue to build a lately rediscovered ‘Fortress Ricoh’ mentality. Undefeated at home in their last four outings at the Ricoh (with three wins and a draw) plus the Checkatrade Trophy final victory at Wembley earlier this month gives some cause for optimism.
Dietmar also played a prominent part in our 10th Anniversary Legends Day programme when we beat ‘the Posh’ 1-0 earlier this month and was pleased (above right) to parade a replica of the 1967 D2 Championship Trophy he won with his colleagues on the Ricoh pitch as well as take his place in the traditional centre circle half-time team photo. All will hope that Dietmar’s presence, not long retired from his last job as a ‘Tesco Community Champion’, will encourage the Sky Blues to a confidence boosting win that will set a precedent for whatever we may face next season!
Dietmar in the 60s
Dietmar, of course, was one of the few City players who in his eleven years with the club from 1960-71 rode the ‘Sky Blue Express’ under CCFPA member and Club icon Jimmy Hill all the way from apprentice and the old Division Three to the top (Division One) before moving to Charlton Athletic. The stalwart defender was brought up in Coventry (at Bishops Ullathorne School) and Dietmar’s tussles with clubs from Manchester were a recurring feature of his career.
He was the club’s first ever substitute against Manchester City when the system was introduced in 1965. He also won’t like being reminded that he became the first City player to be sent off in the top flight in September 1967 (also against the ‘other’ Sky Blues). Dietmar will always be remembered for his wonderful long range goal which contributed to a stirring fifth Round comeback against higher league Sunderland in the Club’s F.A.Cup run of 1962-63 when both Dietmar and fellow CCFPA member George Curtis scored late on to clinch a 2-1 victory and a home 6th round tie against Manchester United. Dietmar is also proud of taking part in CCFC’s sole European campaign in the European Fairs Cup in 1970-71. In total the stalwart Sky Blue defender clocked up 217 first team appearances for CCFC in over a decade with CCFC scoring eight times.
Diet in the Sky Blue
Dietmar is a long-standing member of CCFPA, a regular at the Ricoh and also at our Legends and Golf Days (as well as serving at the Association’s ‘Waiter’s Evenings). He is no stranger to the various duties and expectations we make of our special guests including visiting the club’s youngest supporters in the Family Zone under the stands before the game and than touring the executive lounges. After the game we are sure he will give as good as he gets when ‘grilled’ (in the friendliest possible way) by CCFPA colleague Billy Bell on the stage of Lady G’s at the G-Casino. Dietmar will also provide matchday analysis on BBC CWR for the game.
So whether you are part of the Ricoh Roar or listening in away from the Arena make sure you make Dietmar part of your game plan. Dietmar, hope you have a great Ricoh day!