Well, Coventry City Former Players Association committee man Frank Pritchard has done it again with a brace of new signings for the Association (as we trailed in an earlier ‘teaser’ news item). The duo, both popular with Sky Blues fans in their time at the Ricoh, defender Ben Turner and midfielder Aron Gunnarsson are both now plying their trade with Bluebirds’ or ‘Red Dragons’ (depending on your preference) of Cardiff City. Frank was able to accomplish a ‘double signing’ not too far away from the Ricoh when the Welsh club fulfilled their Championship fixture at St Andrews on Saturday (8th Novenber 2014). Frank takes up the story……..
“Have you ever had ‘one of those days’? Well this was very nearly one of them but what appeared to be ‘Mission Impossible’ at more than one stage, eventually ended-up ‘Mission Accomplished’, thanks mainly to the courtesy and cooperation of Birmingham City’s stewards and security staff.
The game was in some doubt due to heavy overnight rain that persisted throughout the morning but following several pitch inspections eventually got the go ahead as the rain finally moved North East towards where Derby were demolishing Wolves (5-0).
Ben in the Sky Blue 2010
Aron in the Sky Blue 2010
The St. Andrews fixture (Birmingham City v Cardiff) kicked-off in dry weather but the first half was something of ‘cat and mouse’ affair but the game livened up after the break as the home side came a little more into it. Cardiff looked the more likely side to break the deadlock but it was Blues who found the net, only for the goal to be ruled-out for offside! So after almost five minutes of stoppage time it ended in stalemate 0-0.
Thanks to the Birmingham Club’s helpful staff I was able to track down Aron Gunnarsson and Ben Turner just outside the dressing room before they boarded their coach for the return journey to Cardiff.
Both ‘new signings’ produced impressive performances on the day although Ben did pick-up a first-half yellow card for a late challenge. It was however his first 90 minutes since returning from a long injury lay-off. Aron ‘bossed’ the midfield for much of the game and frequently caused the Blues’ defence problems with his ‘signature’ long throws.
Many thanks to both Aron and Ben for being so accommodating and also our other recent signing Gary McSheffrey for putting me in touch with both Former Players.
On behalf of Chairman Jim Brown and the CCFPA Committee, the Association wishes both former players a very warm welcome”