COVENTRY CITY 87 7-7 ALL STARS XI
The stars and City supporters turned out to pay tribute to midfield dynamo Michael Gynn in a long overdue testimonial match at Highfield Road.
Michael Gynn or Micky as we all call him ,had been expecting a testimonial in 1993 before Bobby Gould off-loaded him to Stoke City. However,Bryan Richardson decided otherwise and it took twelve years of campaigning from supporters like myself for the services by Gynn to the club and the city he proudly calls home for him to be rewarded.
Initially it was supposed to be a City 87 v Spurs 87 team but by the time, the evening of the game,only Chris Waddle,Clive Allen and Steve Hodge who was for a time in the mid 1990's training at Ryton with the Sky Blues were included.
City started with most of the 87 team as well as David Speedie and my all time favourite player Tommy Hutchison.
Thanks to one almighty cock-up by the ticket office, who decided on the day of the game, not to open the West Terrace, despite already having sold tickets for that end. Those with West Terrace tickets were forced into the East Stand and with a big walk-up which saw the Sky Blue Stand have to be opened, kick off was put back to 8pm.
With Tommy Hutchison showing no signs of his increasing age, Dave Phillips and Brian Borrows looking fit as a fiddle and another of my all time favourite players Liam Brady still having a classy left foot as ever, both sides created early chances.
Cyrille Regis who is now an agent had to first chance heading a Greg Downs cross over from eight yards in the second minute. Former Chester City boss Ian Rush blasted into the side netting before a diving header from David Speedie went wide.
In the 17th minute, the first goal of the evening came thanks to Ian Rush being at the far post to clip the ball past Steve Ogrizovic.
The lead lasted less than two minutes as City were awarded a penalty by referee Dermot Gallagher when All Stars keeper Dale Belford whose son Cameron has appeared for City Reserves this season brought down Big Cyrille.
Man Of The Night Micky Gynn stepped up and gave Belford no chance from the penalty spot.
Two minutes later, the All Stars were back in front thanks to a lovely ball from Steve Hodge being tucked home from close range by Wolves legend Steve Bull.
Now the legendary ability of David Speedie being able to chip the ball over the keeper had long left the former Chelsea striker and after dispossessing former Welsh international Mickey Thomas who punished himself with twenty press-ups, Speedo chipped Belford but sent the ball wide.
Someone who has still got it is Steve Ogrizovic and in the 23rd minute, he dived to make a stunning save and push a Rush shot over the bar for a corner.
From the corner, the ball came back to Hodge who was brought down by Lloyd McGrath. A penalty was awarded and Oggy threw himself to get to Rush's spot kick.
Dave Bennett gave one display of his dancing feet before the scores were level at 2-2 following Cyrille Regis heading home a Borrows 31st minute free kick.
With ten minutes of the half left, the All Stars regained the lead thanks to a delightful chip from former Villa and Rangers winger Mark Walters from a Steve Bull cross.
Walters whose Coventry connections including marrying a girl I used to go to school with and drinking in the Rose & Crown on Walsgrave Road, struck a post before David Speedie did the same at the other end.
In the 43rd minute, the first change of the evening occurred when Steve Sedgeley came on for Lloyd McGrath.
Another player struggling was Chris Waddle and at the interval, he made way for Mick Quinn.
The City side managed for the evening by John Sillett was changed three times in the 48th minute when Ogrizovic,Peake and Borrows who will all hopefully be working for the Sky Blues next season were replaced by Tim Flowers,Kevan Smith and Graham Rodger.
An excellent turn-out of 9,435 supporters were treated to the sight of David Speedie refusing to be substituted before Micky Gynn made it 3-3 in the 52nd minute with some good control inside the penalty area to score at the second attempt.
Steve Bull was in good form and made no mistake after being left unmarked at the far post three minutes after Gynn's goal.
The changes started to become more frequent with Dave Bennett and Greg Downs making way for Dean Emerson and the injured Keith Houchen's mate Andy Scully.
David Busst who is managing Evesham United was playing in defence for the All Stars and in the 61st minute, he got o on the scoresheet when he headed a Speedie cross into his own net.
Tommy Hutchison who was the oldest player on the pitch had lasted for 62 minutes before he was replaced by Paul Culpin and left to a standing ovation. Cyrille Regis was also well cheered when he was replaced a minute later by Richard Keys.
It was the Sky TV presenter who made it 5-4 to City when he netted banged in from six yards with twenty one minutes left to play.
In the 71st minute,Steve Bull completed his hat-trick when he raced through and slipped the ball past Flowers to make it level once more.
The City supporters were in fine voice and one very loud chorus of "Stand Up If You Love City" even had the City Board including Mike McGinnity standing up as well some of the current players who attended including Stern John.
Paul Culpin, who like Bull had a fine scoring record netted seconds after this chant before a right footed 75th minute volley gave Steve Bull his fourth goal.
This lifted the All Stars and three minutes later, Mark Walters scored with a stunning shot from sixteen yards.
With Coventry referee Keiran Barrett now in charge of the game, Man Of The Night Micky Gynn was replaced with three minutes to go. Gynn left to a well deserved standing ovation on what was an enjoyable night.
In the last seconds, Brian Borrows who had come back on for Gynn headed in at the far post to tie the game at seven all and everyone went home happy.
John Sillett thanked everyone for coming saying : "You have been superb for turning out to see a special player for this club". This was warmly cheered as was his praise of Tommy Hutchison.
He handed the microphone over to Micky Gynn who thanked everyone for turning out including all the City players plus the opposition and the match officials. He also thanked Mike McGinnity for finally allowing the game to take place.
HT CCFC87 2-3 All Stars X1
FT CCFC87 7-7 All Stars X1
ATT 9,435
GOALS Ian Rush (17),
Micky Gynn (19 pen & 52)
Steve Bull (21,57,71,75)
Cyrille Regis (31)
Mark Walters (35 & 78)
David Busst OG (61)
Richard Keys (69)
Paul Culpin (72)
Brian Borrows (89)
TEAMS
Steve Ogrizovic,Brian Borrows,Lloyd McGrath,Trevor Peake,Greg Downs,Micky Gynn,Dave Phillips,Dave Bennett,Cyrille Regis,David Speedie,Tommy Hutchison
SUBS Used Steve Sedgeley,Graham Rodger,Tim Flowers, Kevan Smith,Dean Emerson,Andy Scully,Paul Culpin,Richard Keys
ALL STARS X1
Dale Belford,Neil Pointon,Dave Busst,Micky Thomas,Mark Walters, Steve Hodge,Gordon Cowans,Liam Brady,Steve Bull,Ian Rush,Chris Waddle SUBS Used Mick Quinn,Clive Allen,Tony Morley