The 16th May 1987 was the day I first experienced joy at the expense of others. "Hot Shot" Tottenham were the heavy favourites to win their 8th FA Cup against Coventry City, but after a thrilling 120 minutes it was John Silletts Sky-Blue Army that emerged victorious. Keith Houchens diving header, Dave Bennetts solo effort and Lloyd McGraths diverted cross giving Coventry their first (and to date only) major trophy. Still, Spurs did win the pop chart battle thanks to Chas n' Daves banger!
Almost 40 years later and they are a game away from a return to Wembley for a final. Their manager has his own place in FA Cup folk law, his 3rd round winner in 1990 is said to have saved Alex Ferguson from the sack, so it is poetic that it is United that stand in Mark Robins path to the final.
Coventry are captained by Arsenal academy star Ben Sheaf. He has suffered from multiple injuries during his career, but leads his team by example from midfield.
With Manchester United suffering from a defensive injury crisis, Ellis Simms will be licking his lips. The Coventry top scorer has 18 goals this season, including a hat-trick in the 5th round and 2 more in the quarter final win over Wolves
Also among the goals is Haji Wright - previously most famous for a wonder goal/amazing fluke for the US in the World Cup. Wright scored the 100th minute winner in the quarter, and has 17 goals this season.
Joel Latibeaudiere is a former Man City academy graduate, and helped England win the World Cup (u17 level) although he is now a Jamaican international. He has been a bit of a utility player this season, filling in at full back and in midfield.
With Kasey Palmer suspended, Callum O'Hare and Milan van Ewijk will have to step up, with Josh Eccles also in midfield.
One to watch in defence is Liam Kitching, who had the unfortunate experience of scoring twice in a game - in his own net! He is usually partnered by Bobby Thomas, with Jake Bidwell and Latibeaudiere in the full back roles. Bradley Collins is their usual 'keeper, although he has been dropped at times for Ben Wilson.
Coventry go into the game as massive underdogs, with Championship sides losing their last 6 semi finals with the last 2nd tier club beating a top tier club at this stage being 1992 (Sunderland beating Norwich). The last 2nd tier club to win a semi final was Cardiff in 2008 - a season where 3 of the 4 semi finalists were from the Championship! Cardiff remain the only non-top flight club to win a Wembley semi final.
It will be a massive ask for Coventry to win today, even with the injuries and quality of United under ten Hag. But the majority of the Country will be cheering on the Sky Blues.
Good luck to the Sky Blues!!
posted 3 weeks, 6 days ago
comment by The Mighty Tottenham Hotspur. (U7858)
posted 6 minutes ago
The 16th May 1987 was the day I first experienced joy at the expense of others. "Hot Shot" Tottenham were the heavy favourites to win their 8th FA Cup against Coventry City, but after a thrilling 120 minutes it was John Silletts Sky-Blue Army that emerged victorious.
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I understand the sentiment DJ - bit like the ones I had on the 4th Jan 1992!
Especially as a welshman!
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I thought all spurs fans are from the Tottenham manor
posted 3 weeks, 6 days ago
comment by The Mighty Tottenham Hotspur. (U7858)
posted 12 minutes ago
The 16th May 1987 was the day I first experienced joy at the expense of others. "Hot Shot" Tottenham were the heavy favourites to win their 8th FA Cup against Coventry City, but after a thrilling 120 minutes it was John Silletts Sky-Blue Army that emerged victorious.
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I understand the sentiment DJ - bit like the ones I had on the 4th Jan 1992!
Especially as a welshman!
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Micky Thomas
posted 3 weeks, 6 days ago
Still, Spurs did win the pop chart battle thanks to Chas n' Daves banger!
they wuz robbed:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n56gOR9RQ0E
posted 3 weeks, 6 days ago
comment by hounslows-finest (U6180)
posted 1 hour, 35 minutes ago
comment by The Mighty Tottenham Hotspur. (U7858)
posted 12 minutes ago
The 16th May 1987 was the day I first experienced joy at the expense of others. "Hot Shot" Tottenham were the heavy favourites to win their 8th FA Cup against Coventry City, but after a thrilling 120 minutes it was John Silletts Sky-Blue Army that emerged victorious.
=======
I understand the sentiment DJ - bit like the ones I had on the 4th Jan 1992!
Especially as a welshman!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Micky Thomas
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Yay!!! 6months inside for forged £5ers 🤣🤣🤣
posted 3 weeks, 6 days ago
comment by Gaffer Pranky (U22336)
posted 1 hour, 42 minutes ago
comment by The Mighty Tottenham Hotspur. (U7858)
posted 6 minutes ago
The 16th May 1987 was the day I first experienced joy at the expense of others. "Hot Shot" Tottenham were the heavy favourites to win their 8th FA Cup against Coventry City, but after a thrilling 120 minutes it was John Silletts Sky-Blue Army that emerged victorious.
=======
I understand the sentiment DJ - bit like the ones I had on the 4th Jan 1992!
Especially as a welshman!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I thought all spurs fans are from the Tottenham manor
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It’s my old man’s team, so followed them!
But you’d call him a plastic these days, living in N Wales but supporting the 1961-2 team
posted 3 weeks, 6 days ago
comment by The Mighty Tottenham Hotspur. (U7858)
posted 49 minutes ago
comment by hounslows-finest (U6180)
posted 1 hour, 35 minutes ago
comment by The Mighty Tottenham Hotspur. (U7858)
posted 12 minutes ago
The 16th May 1987 was the day I first experienced joy at the expense of others. "Hot Shot" Tottenham were the heavy favourites to win their 8th FA Cup against Coventry City, but after a thrilling 120 minutes it was John Silletts Sky-Blue Army that emerged victorious.
=======
I understand the sentiment DJ - bit like the ones I had on the 4th Jan 1992!
Especially as a welshman!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Micky Thomas
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yay!!! 6months inside for forged £5ers 🤣🤣🤣
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I used to watch Wrexham and oppo fans would throw paper on the pitch to try and wind him up, he just picked them up and tucked them in his shorts! Soon stopped them…..
posted 3 weeks, 6 days ago
What an amazing comeback!! Hopefully they can keep the momentum up in extra time.
posted 3 weeks, 6 days ago
Gutting. Offside call was a gnats cawq, and the line went through the defenders boot not the end of it??
posted 3 weeks, 6 days ago
posted 3 weeks, 6 days ago
Ok
- after that performance by Coventry, I might begrudgingly forgive that travesty from 1987!!! 😂😂😂