One of only a few father and son CCFPA members (former Sky Blues player and gaffer Gordon Strachan is Gavin’s dad) Gavin Strachan will be the Coventry City Former Players Association’s ‘special guest’ at the Sky Blues upcoming home game with Rochdale at the Ricoh on the first day of September.
Aberdeen born the 39 year old gained Scottish Youth and U21 International honours with CCFC, learning the ropes under his father’s Highfield Road stewardship as player-manager. Gavin scored a lone goal in his 23 league and cup appearances for the Sky Blues between turning professional in November 1996 and leaving (after a loan deal with Peterborough United) for Southend United in March 2003. Whilst with the Sky Blues he also had loan spells north of the border with Dundee and Motherwell.
From 2003-07 Gavin played more than 70 times in the League for Hartlepool United (and had loan time both at Stockport County (2005) and with the Posh again (2007) He spent 2008-09 at Notts County and clocked up a quarter of a century of league games with the Magpies. From 2009-11 Gavin dropped into the non-league game with successively Corby Town, Hinckley United and St.Neots Town.
Darren, Roy & Gavin at the Ricoh earlier this season
Gavin has since achieved the highest-level coaching qualification available – a UEFA Pro Licence and initially worked for Peterborough youth then first team coach from 2011-15. He was briefly Ilkeston FC’s manager to October 2015 before becoming until very recently assistant manager to Darren Ferguson at Doncaster Rovers.Both men happened to be at this season’s Sky Blues opener at the Ricoh and met former Sky Blue stalwart Roy Barry (left).
Gavin takes a leading role in running the Strachan Football Foundation based in Rugby since 2011 which seeks to bring together education and football for young aspiring students/footballers. Gavin has also turned out for charity taking playing for the Sky Blues Legends XI.
Look out for Gavin before the Sky Blues game meeting the club’s youngest supporters and their families under the Ricoh stands in the club’s Family Zone. He will also be meeting fans in the Ricoh’s supporters lounges prior to kick off with club host and CCFPA member Brian ‘Harry’ Roberts giving Gavin a friendly grilling about his Sky Blues days as well as after the game in the G-Casino from the stage of Lady Gs in the company of CCFPA’s Billy Bell.
Though this is the first time Gavin has beeen a CCFPA match day ‘special’ as he has had extensive broadcasting training assisting BBC CWR from the Ricoh Press Box in their live match-day commentary should prove a doddle. If you really can’t get to the game to support the Sky Blues why not tune in and listen to Gavin. Better, come and meet him around the Ricoh before and after kick off!