The Sky Blues were playing Oldham Athletic* at the Ricoh on this day in 2015, a 1-1 draw, when word broke that our famous manager Jimmy Hill, who would eventually become chairman and MD, had passed away earlier in the day!From December 1961 to May 1967, JH, as a creative manager with the Sky Blues, turned around the struggling Division Three team and catapulted Coventry City into the top flight for the first time in the team’s existence. Before being demoted from the Premier League in 2000, he (together with Chairman Derrick Robins) built the groundwork for an uninterrupted 34-season tenure in the top level.

Not only did JH’s “Sky Blues Revolution” make CCFC famous throughout the world, but many of his innovations—first implemented from the manager’s chair at Highfield Road and then from the boardroom—completely changed how football was played, broadcast, and presented to fans in the future.

The city of Coventry, its residents, and its football team and supporters were always “special” to Jimmy and his family. Jimmy was a member of the CCFPA, and the high regard felt in the hearts of the Sky Blue family is reflected in the statue erected in his honor at the Ricoh Arena, the portrait banner that flutters still at all Sky Blues “home” fixtures wherever they have actually been played. JH has hosted several reunions of former players in this association throughout the years, and these events will always be treasured.

2019’s JH Guard of Honor

Thanks to Dean Nelson, a former member of the CCFPA committee, you can relive Jimmy’s memory by watching a tribute video that was shown during the enchanted, sold-out memorial service at Coventry Cathedral later that season. Fans and football luminaries came together to honor the legendary player and media personality. Simply click the image or link below to view a celebration of Jimmy Hill’s significant life and career:*Although JH’s passing cast a shadow over the game itself, for the record, a Ricoh crowd of 15,419 (255 from Oldham) saw (now CCFPA member) Aaron Martin give Tony Mowbray’s Sky Blues a 48th-minute lead over the ‘Latics, only for the visitors to tie the score late on thanks to a goal from Danny Philliskirk deep into added time. After a tryout in 2012–2013, Danny has appeared in one game for the Sky Blues joining. That day, Oldham’s captain was none other than Liam Kelly, the current captain of the Sky Blue team! The two groups formed a line:

Sky Blues (as highlighted by CCFPA members)

Aaron Phillips, Chris Stokes, Aaron Martin, Reice Charles-Cook, Ben Turner (sub. Ryan Haynes–26), Ron Vincelot (c), Gabriel Bigirimana, Joe Cole (sub. Marc-Antoine Fortune–58), Adam Armstrong, Ryan Kent (sub. James Maddison–69), and Jim O’Brien
Dion Kelly-Evans, Reuben Lameiras, Marcus Tudgay, and Lee Burge (gk) are the unutilized subs.
The following players made up David Dunn’s “Latics side”: Richie Wellens (sub. Mark Yeates -74) and Danny Philliskirk, Richard Eckersley, Carl Winchester, Timothee Dieng (sub. Michael Higdon -89), James Wilson, Liam Kelly (c), Brian Wilson, Richard Eckersley, and David Cornell.Joel Coleman (gk), Jay Fulton, Theo Vassell, Joseph Mills, and other unutilized substitutes