Coventry
City slipped up at Blackpool's Bloomfield Road in midweek, losing
2-0. It was no real surprise to me as the seaside stadium is one of
City's bogey grounds. The two clubs have spent little time in the
same division over the years – Blackpool were fixtures in the top
flight for the post-war years up until their relegation in 1967, the
same year that City reached Division One for the first time and the
clubs passed like ships in the night. In the next 34 years it was
City who were the unmoveable team in the top division whilst
Blackpool slipped down the league after a brief season in the sun in
1970-71. Since 2001 the clubs have been in the same league for six
seasons before this season.
City's
record there is dreadful. In twelve league visits now they have won
twice (1923 & 2016) and drawn one (2008) with the other nine all
ending in defeat. There was one Cup visit there, a League Cup tie in
1997, and the Sky Blues lost 0-1 to a team two levels below them but
at least had a home second leg to atone and see themselves through.
The Tangerines record in Coventry is not impressive however; they
haven't won in eight league and cup visits since the last win in 1937
but have drawn their last three games at the Ricoh.
During
the summer I heard from the family of Bryan Allen who passed away
aged 83 in July. They had always believed that he had played for City
in the early 1950s but I had to tell them that no one of that name
had appeared in the first team. Then they sent me a team photo from
1952-53 and sure enough Bryan is there alongside other young players
including Lol Harvey and Frank Austin.
Margaret
Richards provided me with Bryan's story.
'He
was born to Leonard Arthur and Elizabeth Allen in Walsall on
3rd. June 1935. His mother Elizabeth died when he was very
young, from the dreaded 'TB'. Subsequently Bryan came to live with my
Dad and his second wife Margaret (my Mum) at the age of about six I
believe. He attended Wolverhampton Road School, Walsall with two of
my older siblings, Arley and Rita. He was a talented football and
recalled how two men came from Coventry City to sign him, one being a
Mr Storey (ed.- Harry Storer, City's legendary manager).'
'After
leaving Coventry City he married Ruth Harris, daughter of the
Aldermans Green couple who boarded Bryan whilst he was at the club.
They then lived at 'The Lodge', Parrots Grove, in Coventry for many
years - he ran a successful Egg production business from there.
Bryans life was varied and full, he was a skilled diamond
(industrial) cutter for over 40 years, played and coached Badminton
for the county and was active within the Bowls league - maintaining
his fitness - almost right to the end. I understand that Bryan also
spent some time in the Army, based in Dorchester and played for
Yeovil Town FC at some point. He and his second wife Anne retired to
Dorchester and within the past two years moved to be near Anne's
parents in Kent.'
Bryan
leaves his wife Anne, his only child Lorraine, four grandchildren,
and many great and great/great grandchildren. His funeral took place
on Friday 20th July at Medway Cremation East Chapel in Chatham, Kent.
Fellow City
historian Mike Young was then able to provide a team picture from
1951-52 with Allen on and we believe he played for City's 'A' team in
the United Counties League for these two seasons.
In the team
photo from 1952 Bryan is seated second from the left on the front row
next to Lol Harvey.
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