The Coventry City Former Players Association is pleased to announce that our ‘special guest’ for the Sky Blues upcoming home game against struggling Grimsby Town on Saturday next will be our former attacking midfielder Dennis Mortimer. Dennis will be hoping to see a continuation of our recent unbeaten form after that encouraging win at Crewe last Saturday.
Three points are vital as the season’s endgame begins to ensure at least a play-off position.
Liverpudlian Dennis began as an apprentice at Highfield Road in 1967 and turned professional in September 1969 making his full debut in a 1-1 home draw against Liverpool in the F.A.Cup in January 1970. Before moving to Villa Park in December 1975 for £175k Dennis had made 221 first team appearances in all competitions and netted 12 times for the Sky Blues. He was also part of the Sky Blue sole venture into European competition (Fairs Cup 1970-71). When he left the Villa in 1985 (having had a loan spell with Sheffield United) Dennis spent time with Brighton and Birmingham City (1986) before ending his career at Kettering Town and Redditch United (where he became player-manager) in 1988. Dennis then gained coaching and administrative experience with both West Brom and the Professional Footballers Association (PFA).
Dennis Mortimer at last Legends Day
Dennis ended up with 3 England ‘B’ Caps; 6 England Under 23 Caps (all with City); 1 European Cup Winners medal 1982; 1 League Champions medal 1980-81; 1 League Cup Winners medal 1977 (all with Villa). He is a regular at the Association’s Legends Days and Golf Days and we hope he will be at Legends Day 2018 at the last Sky Blues home game of the season on May 5th. Dennis will aim to meet as many Sky Blues supporters as possible during the day.
Look out for him in the club’s Family Zone under the Ricoh stands with the JSBs before the game as well as ‘around the lounges’ before kick off. After the game CCFPA’s Billy Bell will be looking to coax him down to the stage of Lady Gs in the Arena’s G-Casino for a bit of craic and reminiscence about his Sky Blue days.
For those unable to make the game Dennis will be ‘riding the airways’ on BBC CWR assisting their live matchday team with commentary and analysis. CCFPA looks forward to welcoming Dennis and all Sky Blues fans to this must win game.