The Coventry City Former Players Association are very pleased to announce that popular former Sky Blue from the 1980s and of our 1987 F.A.Cup winning heroes Nick Pickering will be our special guest for CCFC’s upcoming game against another of his former clubs next Saturday (29th September 2018)
Born in South Shields on 4th August 1963, Nick was the last member of that fondly remembered squad from the 1980s that joined the Association. We completed his signature the same year (2012) as that of his ‘larger than life’ captain Brian Kilcline. Nick was present with other members of that cup winning squad at both the CCFPA organised 25th and 30th Anniversary Celebration reunion at Nailcote Hall in 2012 and 2017. Nick was last here for our Legends day celebrations at the Sky Blues last League Two game in May this year (below left).
Nick Pick & Billy
Capped for England once, winger Nick was brought to Highfield Road by Don Mackay (now also an Association member) from Saturday’s opponents Sunderland in February 1986 to provide width especially on the left but it was the following season (1986-87) where the 22 year old really made his real mark under George Curtis and John Sillett (both also CCFPA members). In 2012 Nick confided that he saw the move to Coventry as a bit of a gamble but it certainly paid off as an especially tight knit squad built by George and John finished a comfortable 10th in Division 1, reached the 4th Round of the League Cup as well as, of course, carrying off the F.A.Cup for the first (and only) time in the Club’s history.
Nick moved on to Derby County in 1989 having scored ten goals in 93 appearances for CCFC. After a loan spell with Middlesbrough Nick finished his career at Darlington and then Burnley (1993) and since hanging up his boots has been doing coaching and media work.
Nick in Sky Blue action
All being well Nick should be visiting the club’s Family Zone under the Ricoh stands well before kick off. There he will see the work of CCFPA Associate Member Pat Raybould and her volunteers in enthusing and entertaining the club’s youngest generation of fans (and their families)! Sky Blue Sam and some of the current CCFC squad members are likely to be there too. A bit later Nick will be meeting older supporters in the various Ricoh lounges pre-match. Club host (and fellow CCFPA member) Brian ‘Harry’ Roberts will, no doubt, be doing the honours giving Nick a light grilling about his Sky Blues days. After the game is over Nick will be invited to ‘chew the fat’ with CCFPA’s Billy Bell in front of supporters in Lady Gs Bar within the Ricoh’s G-Casino. Why not go along – its bound to be entertaining!
If you really can’t make the match you can always listen to Nick’s expert opinion on the BBC CWR airwaves since Nick will be in the Ricoh Press Box assisting their live matchday commentary team with analysis. We trust Nick will have a great day with us. He always manages to enjoy himself whenever he comes down to see us and Sky Blue fans always give him a warm welcome!