This day, February 21, 2004, saw the Sky Blues become a Division One team. They had been under the direction of Eric Black, a CCFPA member and former assistant to Gary McAllister, who had quit to care for his gravely ill wife, since January. As “gaffer,” Eric had been doing a great job. His club had won six of their seven games played the month prior, including one at Walsall (6-1) before losing their most recent game 0-2. Today in the Milton Keynes hockey stadium—then the Wimbledon home—the Sky Blues resumed their winning ways.
When City played the Wombles, they were at the bottom of the league. We had defeated them at Highfield Road in mid-October thanks to the game’s lone goal, which came from (now CCFPA member) Craig Pead in the 63rd minute. The Sky Blues were set to deal with “the double” to them!
On a windy day, City proved more adept at handling the circumstances, easily defeating Stuart Murdoch’s team in front of a meager 5,905 spectators. The Sky Blues got off to a strong start in the ninth minute with a header from (now CCFPA member) Julian Joachim. Five minutes later, the Wombles’ Chorley gave an own goal after Pat Suffo’s effort deflected beyond home ‘keeper Banks.
The last straw for the home squad was a strong shot from relatively new Association recruit Bjarni Gudjonsson in the 63rd minute. End of the game. When Dean Lewington was sent off for kicking out at Peter Clarke, City’s excellent debutant loanee, the situation for the Wombles became even worse.
Unused Subs: Gavin Ward (gk) and Craig Pead
Wimbledon:
Steve Banks, Wade Small (sub. Michael Gordon -3), James Mackie (sub. Dean Holdsworth -2), Nico Herzig, Rob Gier, Jamal Campbell-Ryce, Peter Hawkins, Ben Chorley, Nick McKoy (sub. Wayne Gray -1), and Dean Lewington (s.o.).Unused substitutes: Lee Worgan (gk) and Malvin Kamara.Referee: Bristol’s S. Tanner
In 2002, Dean was a Sky Blue loanee (and is currently a member of the Association).
Wimbledon’s terrible season continued when they were demoted to Division Two in 24th place, a full 22 points worse off than Gillingham (safe on the same points) and Walsall (22nd), who were also demoted. Both teams had fifteen more points than Bradford City, who had also been demoted (in the 23rd).
After Eric Black was shockingly fired despite having a strong record, the Sky Blues, led by Peter Reid for the last game, concluded comfortably in twelfth place, twenty-nine points behind League One Champions Norwich City. Along with sixth-placed Crystal Palace and runners-up West Bromwich Albion following the playoffs, they were promoted.
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