Coventry La La La
New Member
New Coventry City chairman Ken Dulieu took to the stage at the G-Casino to a rumble of boos from supporters – but left to a rousing round of applause.
The Sky Blues chief addressed fans who had gathered to meet and greet the 48 City old boys celebrating the club’s Legends Day on Saturday, and handed over a donation of £910 to the Former Players’ Association, who organised the annual event.
Association founder Jim Brown said: “The new chairman got on stage and our compere and member Billy Bell told those who were booing to stop and show him more respect.
“Ken then said a few words, assuring the fans that he and his fellow directors are doing all they can to take the club forward and saying that they respect the club’s history.
"And then vice-chairman John Clarke handed over what was a really generous donation from the associate directors and directors who had a whip round after the game.
“That was met with warm applause and then everyone broke into song with a rendition of the Sky Blue Song.
“Being new to the club, Ken didn’t know all the words but I thought it was a very brave thing of the new chairman to get up on stage.”
The former players honoured on Saturday were Bob Allen, Dave Bennett, Andy Blair, Jeff Blockley, Ken Brown, Dietmar Bruck, Dave Busst, Willie Carr, Chris Cattlin, Paul Culpin, Kevin Drinkell, Dean Emerson, Ron Farmer, Ian Gibson, Bill Glazier, Ian Goodwin, Trevor Gould, Alan Green, Micky Gynn, Lol Harvey, Tommy Hutchison, Lee Hurst, Jimmy Holmes, Trevor Lewis, Ernie Machin, Ron Newman, Brian Nicholas, Bobby Parker, Trevor Peake, Brian ‘Harry’ Roberts, Ken Satchwell, Steve Sedgley, Gordon Simms, David Smith, Wilf Smith, Kirk Stephens, Bill Tedds, Alan Turner, Graham Walker, Ian Wallace, Bob Wesson, Noel Whelan, John Williams, Peter Wyer and Quintin Young as well as family members representing Frank Austin, George Mason and Ray Straw.
The Former Players’ Association is in its fourth year and now boasts 180 members, making it one of the biggest in the country.
The donation, along with all the other fund-raising events the association organises, is used to help put on the annual Legends Day, including paying part of the old boys’ travelling expenses and helping with flights for players who live abroad, while the club treated all 48 ex-players to a pre-match meal and a ticket to the match.
For more information about the Association and to see more pictures from Saturday’s gathering, go to www.ccfpa.co.uk