I'm really not too sure but believe it started during the Jimmy Hill takeover days. As we flew through the leagues the momentum we gained under our Jim was a successful one and often we would thump a team scoring 5 goals. We did it enough to earn the phrase "the old five". Reality suggest it was not as often as thought but even I do remember standing on the spion kop each week and chanting it as we would seem to make a relative habbit of it. That's at least how I recall it from being a kid.
We have had two 'fives' already this season!
We have had two 'fives' already this season!
It dates back much further than the Jimmy Hill/Sky Blue era. It's actually a reference to the 1930's, when Coventry City were know as 'The Bantams' (The Clarrie Bourton era)
In the 1930's Coventry City scored 5 goals so often, that they became known as the "Old Five"
Clarrie Bourton incidentally scored 173 goals in 228 appearances (76% goal game ratio over a 6 year period). To put that into perspective David McGoldrick has scored 13 league goals in 18 appearances (72% goal game ratio)
In the 1930's Coventry City scored 5 goals so often, that they became known as the "Old Five"
Clarrie Bourton incidentally scored 173 goals in 228 appearances (76% goal game ratio over a 6 year period). To put that into perspective David McGoldrick has scored 13 league goals in 18 appearances (72% goal game ratio)
Thanks Snozz.... my 12 year old son asked me this very question yesterday as me and those around me started "the old five" ramblings when 4-1 up... I stereotypically quoted the Jimmy Hill association also.. nice to have the facts!.
Thanks
How many did bourton score in a season? If we keep mcgoldrick is there any chance of him beating it?
Here is a short clip about Clarrie Bourton and Highfield Road in the 1930's
http://oldcoventryonfilm.vidmeup.com/view?q=50c47e044cc7d.flv
http://oldcoventryonfilm.vidmeup.com/view?q=50c47e044cc7d.flv
Bourton's League Record at CCFC:
1931/32: App 40 - Goals 49
1932/33: 39 40
1933/34: 30 25
1934/35: 39 26
1935/36: 39 22
1936/37: 36 9
1937/38: 5 0
TOTALS 228 171
Clarrie also scored 9 goals in 13 cup games
OMG checkout the season 1931-32 season results
The old five should be the old six
http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/match/index.html?season=1931%2F32;team=273
The old five should be the old six
http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/match/index.html?season=1931%2F32;team=273
Paxman is correct my dad told me they used to beat teams by 5 quiet regular & they used to sing it on at the Kop end
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Off topic slightly here, but why in those days did they play on Xmas day? I can't imagine it would get much of a crowd.
Off topic slightly here, but why in those days did they play on Xmas day? I can't imagine it would get much of a crowd.
What a season that would of been to watch. Seems like proper end to end attacking football, non of this containment and possession stuff.