Jim's column 16.3.24

Coventry City travel to Molineux today for a massive FA Cup Sixth Round tie with Wolves. It's the first time the club have reached the last eight of the famous competition since 2009 when the Sky Blues met Chelsea at the CBS Arena and lost 2-0 to the eventual winners of the competition.

Apart from 1987 the club have had little to shout about in the FA Cup and this season is only the eighth time in 130 years that they have reached the last eight and only once have they won their quarter final tie, in 1987 when the team lifted the trophy. The first time was one of the club's finest achievements as they reached the quarter finals as a Southern League side. On the way they defeated two First Division clubs – Preston, at Deepdale, and Nottingham Forest – but Everton ended the club's dream, winning 2-0 in front of a then record 19,095 Highfield Road crowd. 

The club had to wait a further 53 years before reaching the last eight again and needed the wily management of Jimmy Hill. The winter of 1963 was so severe that barely any professional football took place for over two months. The Sky Blues, then a Third Division side, played six cup ties in 25 days to seal a sixth round home tie with the mighty Manchester United. On a mudheap of a pitch an all-ticket 44,000 crowd watched Terry Bly put City ahead and a giant-killing looked possible until the great Bobby Charlton took control, scored two great goals and ensured United got through. Matt Busby's team went on to lift the trophy at Wembley against Leicester.

Ten years later there were over 50,000 at Molineux, the scene of another quarter final defeat. 1972-73 was an exciting season for the Sky Blues under the new management of Joe Mercer and Gordon Milne and hopes of success were high as around 10,000 fans made the trek to the Black Country. After only seven minutes John Richards outpaced Bobby Parker and put the home side ahead. City never got into their stride and their stars Colin Stein and Tommy Hutchison were well policed by the home defence. A Kenny Hibbitt penalty just after half-time sealed City's fate and Wolves went on to lose to Leeds United in the semi final.

In 1982 it was back to the Black Country for a sixth round tie with West Brom. The league form of Dave Sexton's young City team was atrocious - no wins in ten games – but their Cup form was excellent. Ron Atkinson had left Albion but they were still an outstanding team and Cyrille Regis, having his best scoring season for the Baggies, put them ahead after 18 minutes with an unstoppable shot past Jim Blyth. City battled on bravely but Gary Owen's goal clinched the victory and took Albion through to a semi final where they surprisingly lost to QPR. 

That takes us to 1987 and the famous victory over Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough. Over 15,000 City fans in a 48,000 crowd were in raptures as Big Cyrille scored an early goal. The team soaked up enormous pressure from the home side and when Gary Megson equalised with 25 minutes left things looked ominous. Then Keith Houchen took centre stage, scoring two goals in five minutes to seal the club's first ever FA Cup semi final and end Wednesday's 23-game unbeaten home FA Cup record. All City fans know what happened next – Leeds were defeated in the semi final and Tottenham succumbed at Wembley as the Sky Blues lifted the trophy.

In 1998, as in 1973, expectations were high, especially as Coventry had a sixth round home tie with Second Division Sheffield United and had won seven games in a row going into the game. A Dion Dublin penalty put the Sky Blues on the road to victory but Marcelo equalised and City stumbled to a draw against a physical Blades team. In the replay at Bramall Lane City looked set for victory through a Paul Telfer goal before a last minute equaliser from David Holdsworth. Extra-time failed to find a winner and the Blades won 3-1 in a penalty shoot-out. In the semi final the Blades lost to Newcastle.

In 2009 it's fair to say that City fan's expectations were not too high. A mediocre team were in mid-table in the Championship and up against a top Premiership side boasting stars such as Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole and John Terry. A record CBS crowd of 31,407 were stunned by an early Drogba goal and although City gave a valiant display the Brazilian defender Alex wrapped up the victory just after the hour. Chelsea went on to beat Arsenal in the semi final and Everton in the final.