After being demoted from Division Two in 1951–1952, Coventry City was playing in Division Three South for the second season on this day, March 13, 1954.After famed two-time “gaffer” Harry Storer left the squad in January, Jack Fairbrother took charge, and the team’s season was still somewhat up and down. But today at Highfield Road, “the Bantams,” as City were called before Sky Blue, had a successful day, defeating Shrewsbury Town by the odd goal in three. Early in January, they drew 1-1 at Gay Meadow, with Don Dorman scoring the goal for City.
The City’s old stadium held 7,883 spectators to watch the Bantams’ No. 9 player. To defeat the Shrews, Eddy Brown bagged himself a brace—one in each half. Eddy made his City debut in 1951–52 after earning a reputation for scoring goals with both Southampton and Preston North End. It took him twenty minutes to get his first. The Salop team could have lost by more since Gordon Nutt had a “goal” disallowed for hands prior to the first goal, and Roy Kirk, who is normally dependable, missed a penalty kick five minutes before halftime. At the interval, the Bantams were ahead by a goal.
After 52 minutes, William Dodd headed in a rebound of a post from his own shot to give the Shrews an equaliser, making the Bantams regret their wasted opportunities. But it just took a few minutes for City’s No. 9 to score the game-winning goal. There was still time for Eddy to attempt one more, which would have been City’s third such attempt of the match. The Shrews were greatly flattered with the score!
A goal “score” in 1953–54 showed Eddy’s constancy. In his second season (1952–53), he scored an amazing twenty goals in his 34 league and cup appearances. His brace today helped him reach this identical number this season. Eventually, after scoring eight goals in his first twelve games of 1954, Birmingham, our neighbours, signed him in October of that same year (where he proceeded to score prolifically).
On that day, Jack Fairbrother’s soldiers were arranged as follows:
Charlie Timmins, Roy Kirk, and Peter Taylor; Gordon Nutt, Don Dorman, Eddy Brown, Ron Waldock, and Jimmy Hill; Noel Simpson, Martin McDonnell, and Frank Austin
Apart for Ronnie Waldock, a 91-year-old member of the CCFPA, all of the team members have, as far as we are aware, passed dead. Gordon, Ian, and Charlie afterwards joined the Association as well. Afterwards, Ian rose from being a director to Chairman of CCFC. Note that Jimmy was clearly a different player from our legendary Sky Blue manager from the 1960s, JH Goalie.Peter Taylor went on to become well-known as Brian Clough’s manager.
Alexander McCue, Jackie Stamps, John Hudson, John McBride, James Bannister, John Parr, William Dodd, Maurice Candlin, William H. Cooke, Derek Price, Arnold Jackson, and John HudsonH.P. Hartley, the referee (Burn
Coventry City finished fifteenth in Division Three South at the end of the season, four spots below the Shrews.This season, Ipswich Town won the championship.Having finished last, Walsall and Colchester United had to stand for reelection, which they both accomplished.
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