On this day (September 21, 1968), around 38,000 people packed Highfield Road for the debut of CCFC’s new acquisition Tony Hateley, an £80,000 buy from Liverpool. The Sky Blues were managed at the time by the legendary Jimmy Hill’s successor.
Noel Cantwell’s Sky Blues faced the blues of Everton, who also played in the same city as Tony.
In the end, Tony’s first game was a letdown due to the Toffees’ Brian Labone, Howard Kendall, and others. The 2-2 tie was decided entirely in the first half.
For long stretches, the away team dominates, with Toffeemen centre forward Joe Royle starring. The Sky Blues, though, took the lead after nine minutes with a bullet header from Royle’s marker, the old war horse central defender Maurice Setters (a CCFPA member before his death).
Everton, on the other hand, had seized the lead by the 28th minute, thanks to goals from Jimmy Husband after 25 minutes and David Hurst. Wily Sky Blue forward then Ian Gibson leveled the score four minutes after the break with a half-volley.
Neither team capitalized on their chances in the second period, as the 2-2 stalemate extended Liverpool’s unbeaten run to nine games.
That day, Noel Cantwell’s crew included:
Bill Glazier, Mick Coop, Chris Cattlin, Ernie Machin*, Maurice Setters*, Brian Hill*, Ernie Hunt*, John Tudor, Tony Hateley*, Ian Gibson* (late sub Willie Carr) and Dave Clements were among those who took part.
*Unfortunately, approximately half of these players have since died (asterisked), but we are glad to say that they all later became Association members!
Toffees manager Harry Catterick’s squad was as follows:
Gordon West, Tommy Wright, Sandy Brown, Howard Kendall, Brian Labone, Colin Harvey, Jimmy Husband, Alan Ball, Joe Royle, John Hurst, and Johnny Morrissey are among those who have played for the club. K.Styles serves as the official referee.
The following April, with four games remaining in the Division One season, the City were beaten 3-0 at Goodison Park. The Sky Blues ended just above the relegation zone (which included fall men Leicester City and Queens Park Rangers) and a point above the drop zone in twentieth place in 1968-69, thanks to three draws.
Leeds United won the championship by six points over Liverpool, with Everton finishing third by four points.
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