This ended a 34 year reign in the top-flight. I remember, at the time, that only three clubs had enjoyed a longer time in the top flight (I think it was Liverpoool, Arsenal and Everton).
I also remember we were extremely close to being relegated a number of times before, but always managed to escape.
My question: does anybody know how many last-day escapes there were? Am I right in thinking that we survived on the last day of the season twice at White Hart Lane? What other occasions were there?
I seem to remember in the early to mid 90s playing a decent Leeds team twice at Highfield Rd on the last day, I think we possibly drew both games and escaped both times. Maybe even once on goal difference??
Going into the last game of the 1996/97 season, Coventry were sitting in the final relegation spot of the Premiership.
Gordon Strachan's side were not to be denied at White Hart Lane. Goals from Dion Dublin and Paul Williams gave The Sky Blues a 2-0 lead before Paul McVeigh's effort on the stroke of half-time reduced the arrears.
And the greatest survivor of them all, goalkeeper Steve Ogrizovic, was the hero with two fantastic late saves from Neale Fenn and Jason Dozzell as the Sky Blues won 2-1. This was the ninth time in 30 seasons that Coventry have stayed up on the final day of the season, this time at Sunderland's expense.
I've just checked. We dre with Leeds at home to stay up on the last day in both 1992-93 (3-3) and in 1995-96 (0-0), then obviously won at White Hart Lane the following season.
So there's 3 of the 9 occasions.
Does anybody know the other 6? I think they must have been before the Prem. Am just wondering if they've all been in the top flight, or have we stayed up on the last day in a lower league, too?
The infamous 2-2 draw against Bristol City in 77 (both city and bristol coulda gone down but sunderland lost and saved us both from the drop)
Away at Villa park (early 90's) - we lost but still stayed up due to Luton (I think) losing
Everton at home (won 4-1) 84/85 - - we needed to win all 3 of our last games - and did!!!!!
These are the ones that stick in my memory