Times article on Keith Houchen (1 Viewer)

DannyThomas_1981 · Nov 10, 2019

Legia Sky Blue said:
Also remember the emergence of Steve Sedgley and David Smith (who was very good at that time)

Smith was interesting. The longer he played for us the more ineffective he was. Not sure if that was due to over-coaching or being the team's only real attacking outlet and being marked out of games. Similar situation to Richie Partridge - and in Richie's case I definitely blamed Mcallister for his over reliance on Richie (and not changing tactics).

Sedgley. Never really got the hype. Similar in some ways to Bigi in my view. Over hyped. But to be fair to Sedgley he had a fantastic career at the top level - so shows what little I know!

stevefloyd · Nov 10, 2019

Houchens Head said:
One of my most favourite and memorable players ever! "That" goal is still talked about all over the country, even these days, some 32 years later! Unforgettable! My greatest CCFC memory ever, hence my choice of username.

You've spoiled it for me now, i thought that was your real name

Houchens Head · Nov 10, 2019

stevefloyd said:
You've spoiled it for me now, i thought that was your real name

It is my real name. I changed it by deed poll! :emoji_grin:

bringbackrattles · Nov 10, 2019

A Tenner and a Box Of Kippers the story of Keith Houchen. A great read about Keith Houchen. A great character and a must-read for all Sky Blues supporters.

HerneBayGaz · Nov 10, 2019

bringbackrattles said:
A Tenner and a Box Of Kippers the story of Keith Houchen. A great read about Keith Houchen. A great character and a must-read for all Sky Blues supporters.

Very good read. Written by Jonathan Strange.
Along with Keith Houchen.

Grendel · Nov 10, 2019

HerneBayGaz said:
Very good read. Written by Jonathan Strange.
Along with Keith Houchen.

It is good but the author is an utter c**t

HerneBayGaz · Nov 10, 2019

Grendel said:
It is good but the author is an utter c**t

You know him do you....
He speaks very highly of you though.

bringbackrattles · Nov 10, 2019

He chose us over Leicester. So along with his great Cup Final goal he deserves legend status for that too !

Grendel · Nov 10, 2019

HerneBayGaz said:
You know him do you....
He speaks very highly of you though.

He’s the obnoxious twat who fronted the supporters group which was so pro sisu it was embarrassing

HerneBayGaz · Nov 10, 2019

Grendel said:
He’s the obnoxious twat who fronted the supporters group which was so pro sisu it was embarrassing

Dear dear dear. Over and out....

JimmyHillsbeard · Nov 11, 2019

DannyThomas_1981 said:
Just imagining if those signings had happened.....;.

Our team the season after the FA cup win could have looked something like the following (playing 3-5-2 Italia 90 style):

Ogrizovic

Borrows Kilcline Peake

Phillips Dawes

Gynn Crook Wise

Bennett Regis

That's a top 4 team in 88/89.

never heard the Dawes story, what’s the providence of that?

McGrath over Gynn every day of the week I’m afraid.

ccfcricoh · Nov 11, 2019

I mean i actually get goosebumps from that picture...is that weird

Legia Sky Blue · Nov 11, 2019

JimmyHillsbeard said:
never heard the Dawes story, what’s the providence of that?

McGrath over Gynn every day of the week I’m afraid.[/QUOTE

It wasn't long before Dawes left QPR for Millwall and at the time was reported in the nationals and the Telegraph - pre internet so no means of providing a link now, although I'm sure I remember it also being subject to an article in one of our fanzines at the time. I think I recall it so well as I was desperate for us to replace Downs, who I saw as our only weak link. I guess only the likes of Sillett and Dawes could answer whether it was ever close to actually happening.

Of course before this we hadn't long let Stuart Pearce leave. I read Pearce's autobiography and he wrote that he was perfectly happy at Cov and would have signed a new contract if we had offered him one. We were in no rush, obviously thinking that with Pearce coming from non league we held all the aces in negotiations and waited until the season was over, by which time Clough had tapped him up, and the rest is history. That one change to our team in that period of Pearce for Downs would have made us unbelievably stronger.

Grendel · Nov 11, 2019

HerneBayGaz said:
Dear dear dear. Over and out....

Don’t get the comment? Strange was a divisive figure who through his own obsession with backing the owners at any cost led to mentalists like Dave Johnson getting airtime
CCFC fans' group suffers resignations amid claims of bullying

DannyThomas_1981 · Nov 11, 2019

Could not agree more Legia. It was mismanagement at it's very best in not securing Pearce on a long term contract.
From his very first appearances it was obvious that he was a very strong and dynamic player - destined for a very good career.
We've had exceptional right backs in the time that I've watched the City (Danny Thomas/Borrows/Nilsson to name 3) but elite left backs are very difficult to find. Pearce is my left back in my all time City team even though he was only with us for a short time.

DannyThomas_1981 · Nov 11, 2019

bringbackrattles said:
A Tenner and a Box Of Kippers the story of Keith Houchen. A great read about Keith Houchen. A great character and a must-read for all Sky Blues supporters.

I've got mixed feelings on the book. Enjoyed the early years and the glory years with CCFC. Then the book descended into a series of rants and raves at officials as Houch seriously struggled with managing in the lower leagues. Kind of depressing.
It seems to be fair that Houch is a very decent bloke in all of his interactions with the City fans and his contribution here will obviously never be forgotten.

DannyThomas_1981 · Nov 11, 2019

JimmyHillsbeard said:
never heard the Dawes story, what’s the providence of that?

McGrath over Gynn every day of the week I’m afraid.

More than understand that JHB. Very different players. I see there's a real argument for playing McGrath as the defensive midfielder in a midfield 3. He'd do brilliantly. But in my dream 1988-89 team above (which could have happened if we had played the transfer market differently); I just like the attacking dimension of Gynny breaking from midfield with his pace. He's a player who would be a perfect 3 in a modern midfield 3 and a nightmare to defend against. I'm just a football romantic favouring ball players over the more destructive qualities of McGrath - and that is exactly why I would make a terrible manager!

Grendel · Nov 11, 2019

DannyThomas_1981 said:
More than understand that JHB. Very different players. I see there's a real argument for playing McGrath as the defensive midfielder in a midfield 3. He'd do brilliantly. But in my dream 1988-89 team above (which could have happened if we had played the transfer market differently); I just like the attacking dimension of Gynny breaking from midfield with his pace. He's a player who would be a perfect 3 in a modern midfield 3 and a nightmare to defend against. I'm just a football romantic favouring ball players over the more destructive qualities of McGrath - and that is exactly why I would make a terrible manager!

If Emerson has been fit I think McGrath would have been phased out

DannyThomas_1981 · Nov 11, 2019

Grendel said:
If Emerson has been fit I think McGrath would have been phased out

I agree. Emerson was a really significant loss in our history. A fantastic all round midfielder who would have gone onto great things.
McGrath was a very effective defensive player in his era though - and played very high class midfielders out of the game. But certainly agree that Lloydy's game was more limited that Emerson's.

Houchens Head · Nov 11, 2019

DannyThomas_1981 said:
Could not agree more Legia. It was mismanagement at it's very best in not securing Pearce on a long term contract.
From his very first appearances it was obvious that he was a very strong and dynamic player - destined for a very good career.
We've had exceptional right backs in the time that I've watched the City (Danny Thomas/Borrows/Nilsson to name 3) but elite left backs are very difficult to find. Pearce is my left back in my all time City team even though he was only with us for a short time.

I can't believe you've left out the best left-back ever to pull on a City shirt! Bobby "God" McDonald! Very few got past Bobby when they attacked our goal! He was superb! Him and Tommy Hutchison will always go down as my favourite players of all time.

DannyThomas_1981 · Nov 11, 2019

Houchens Head said:
I can't believe you've left out the best left-back ever to pull on a City shirt! Bobby "God" McDonald! Very few got past Bobby when they attacked our goal! He was superb! Him and Tommy Hutchison will always go down as my favourite players of all time.

Houchen's Head - I stand corrected! I was too young to watch Bobby McDonald play and also Tommy H! As you say I've only heard good things about Bobby - a Sky Blue legend.

Irish Sky Blue · Nov 11, 2019

Houchens Head said:
I can't believe you've left out the best left-back ever to pull on a City shirt! Bobby "God" McDonald! Very few got past Bobby when they attacked our goal! He was superb! Him and Tommy Hutchison will always go down as my favourite players of all time.

Bobby Mcdonald is my favourite left back too. I remember him bending the ball into the goal from almost on the goal line to beat Kevin Keelan in the famous 5-4 win over Norwich. A great player in a great team.

Johhny Blue · Nov 12, 2019

ccfcricoh said:
I mean i actually get goosebumps from that picture...is that weird

I have a painting from the other side showing Clemence’s expression knowing he was beaten. The pride of my man cave.

Houchens Head · Nov 12, 2019

Johhny Blue said:
I have a painting from the other side showing Clemence’s expression knowing he was beaten. The pride of my man cave.

Yeah, I've seen it!
.

Johhny Blue · Nov 13, 2019

Houchens Head said:
Yeah, I've seen it!
.
View attachment 13421

I said Ray Clemence not Craig Bellamy

Times article on Keith Houchen (1 Viewer)

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