Cyrille Regis
9.2.1958 –
15.1.2018
If George Curtis was
the Sky Blue player of the 60s and Tommy Hutchison the player of the
70s, then Cyrille Regis was a strong contender for the City player of
the 1980s. Cyrille was a talismatic centre-forward who was adored by
Coventry City fans of all ages during his seven years at Highfield
Road and was a key player in the Sky Blues' 1987 FA Cup triumph. His
death this week at just three weeks short of his 60th birthday has
shocked the football world but especially the fans of his two
favourite clubs, West Bromwich Albion and Coventry City.
Strong, quick and
direct, Cyrille had an excellent first touch and a habit of scoring
spectacular goals, powerfully running at defences before unleashing
thunderous shots from either foot. He had a strong aerial presence
too and many of his goals were headers. He was a true centre-forward
who led the line with passion and bravery prepared to take a
battering from a tough defender as well as the vile racial abuse from
the terraces.
Born in Maripasoula in
French Guiana, Cyrille's family moved to the UK in the early 1960s
and he grew up in West London, not far from Wembley Stadium. West
Brom spotted him playing for non-league Hayes and at the age of 19 he
moved to the Hawthorns for a £5,000 fee. He made an instant impact,
scoring twice on his debut in a League Cup tie with Rotherham and
four days later, like something out of Roy of the Rovers, he scored
against Middlesbrough on his league debut. Within a short space of
time he become a fixture in an Albion side that included two other
outstanding young black players, Laurie Cunningham and Brendan
Batson.
Eighteen goals that
season and the same number the following season when, with Ron
Atkinson in charge, the Baggies finished third in Division One saw
Cyrille gain international recognition. In his seven years at the
Hawthorns he built a formidable reputation as a goalscorer winning
four England caps and narrowly missed going to the 1982 World Cup
finals. The Sky Blues crossed paths with Big C several times in that
period and two games are not fondly remembered by City fans. In
October 1978 Atkinson's rampaging Albion side took a more than useful
City team apart at the Hawthorns, winning 7-1 with Cyrille scoring
twice. Then, in 1982, Dave Sexton's young City side travelled to the
Hawthorns for an FA Cup sixth round tie and Cyrille scored the first
goal - one of his screamers – in the 2-0 win. That year he was
voted second in the PFA Player of the Year award behind Kevin Keegan.
His haul of five England caps was poor reward for years of brilliance
and he would have won more but for the outstanding form of Trevor
Francis and Paul Mariner and later Gary Lineker, and if he had played
for more fashionable clubs.
Cyrille admitted in his
autobiography that the years 1983-86 were spent in the wilderness. He
lost form in a struggling Albion side, had off the pitch problems and
his career had stalled when City manager Bobby Gould paid £250,000
for him in October 1984. His first two seasons at Coventry were
disappointing as first Gould, and then Don Mackay used him as target
man and his goal return was poor. He almost joined Bordeaux in 1985
and under Mackay there were stories that City were trying to unload
him for £40,000. In his first season City had to win their last
three games to avoid relegation and in the final game he finally came
good, scoring twice (a powerful header and a scrambled effort). There
were always glimpses of the old Cyrille , for example he equalled the
club's individual scoring record by netting five goals in a League
Cup game with Chester. After John and George took over in 1986
Sillett insisted they played to Cyrille's strengths – playing on
the deck and getting him to hold the ball up and play off and around
him. Immediately City looked a different proposition, the successful
partnership with Dave Bennett was formed and the club enjoyed their
best season for a long time. Cyrille netted 16 goals including a
memorable 90th minute winner against Tottenham in a 4-3 thriller at
Christmas but this was only the prelude to a memorable FA Cup run.
Cyrille described
City’s 1987 FA Cup win as the greatest football day of his career
and his role in that famous team was vital. He scored in the 3-0 win
over Bolton in round three and then in the sixth round he set City on
the way to a famous victory by scoring at the Kop end against
Sheffield Wedneday at Hillsborough. Lloyd McGrath and Dave Bennett
did the spade work in the centre circle and a one-two with Benno saw
Cyrille take off like a greyhound with the Wednesday defence trailing
in his wake. As Martin Hodge the Owls goalkeeper came out Cyrille,
from the edge of the penalty area, let fly and the ball rocketed into
the net.
His form that season
was so good that he was recalled to the England squad and gained the
last of his five full caps. Critics said he did not score enough
goals but he made many for others purely with his physical presence
and the fear he induced into defenders. Whilst John Sillett was in
charge Cyrille was guaranteed a place and his post playing career
seemed assured when John gave him and Trevor Peake coaching roles.
However in 1990 when Sillett was sacked the new manager Terry Butcher
wanted change. Several of the '87 boys were let go and in May 1991,
to the surprise and disappointment of the fans, Cyrille was given a
free transfer, a decision which turned out to be premature.
Ron Atkinson, by now in
charge at Aston Villa, realised that Cyrille had more to offer and
signed him. The move gave him a new lease of life and he was a first
team regular. Then in May 1992 Cyrille scored a goal against City at
Villa Park that, but for Notts County’s late winner, would have
sent his old club down. After two years at Villa he joined Wolves on
a free transfer and later played briefly for Wycombe Wanderers and
Chester. He then took up a coaching role at West Brom but quickly
recognised that coaching wasn't for him and moved to become a very
successful player’s agent. In this role he mentored some big names
in the game, passing on sensible advice to young players making their
way in the game. In 2008 he was awarded the MBE for his services to
the game and for his voluntary work.
The firm bonds of
friendship and camaraderie between the players and management that
helped carry the team to success in 1987 are as strong as ever and
they met regularly. Their next get together will have a sombre
atmosphere.
When the Former Players
Association was formed eleven years ago Cyrille was one of the first
to join, enthusiastic about meeting up with former colleagues, and he
has been a great supporter attending most Legends Days. I often
bumped into him in the Legends Lounge and was always struck by his
warmth and kindness and his special presence. He never said a bad
word about anyone and would engage positively with everyone he came
into contact with. When he started talking, quietly mostly, about the
game and players he was compelling and you hung on his every word.
For his young clients his words and wise advice must have been
invaluable and inspiring. Since becoming a born-again Christian
following the tragic death of Laurie Cunningham in 1989, religion had
played an important role in his life.
There were no signs of
impending health problems when I last saw him in the autumn, in fact
he looked fitter than most men half his age and that makes the news
of his death all the more shocking. City fans will mourn him today
but at the same time celebrate the passing of a great footballer and
a great man. In Latin Regis means 'of the king' and Cyrille lived up
to his surname on and off the field. To Coventry City fans he will
always be a true King.
Jim Brown
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