Sky Blue Peter ShiltonTerry, Sky Blue player-managerOn this day (16th June) in 1982, forty years ago there were no less than five future Sky Blues who pulled on the England shirt in a Group 4 game in the World Cup 1982 Finals (1st Phase).

The game in front of 44,172 fans in the Estadio San Mames, Basurtu, Bilbao, Biscay in Spain was between England and France.

The Three Lions eventually turned out the winners after it was all square (1-1) at half time.

A brace (one volley, one header) from Brian Robson and a smart finish from Paul Mariner gave the England team a 3-1 victory.

Gerard Soler got the French equaliser after 24 minutes.

It is maybe a surprising fact that of the non scoring members of the England team no less than five of them went on to have Sky Blue associations (sadly only one of them currently as an Association member)!Phil Neal, Coventry City ManagerMick Mills at CCFCIn goal was Peter Shilton who was attached to CCFC as goalkeeping cover in 1995-96 (but did not play a first team game).

Peter's son Sam Shilton, however made six appearances for the Sky Blues from 1995-99! The full back pairing in the England team were Mick Mills and Kenny Sansom (who fairly recently joined CCFPA and who came to both our Legends Days 2023 and 2024 recently).

Mick became Assistant Manager to Sky Blue gaffer Terry Butcher (No.

4 in the England ranks that day) in the early 1990s in a brief and far from glorious period for CCFC.

Kenny Sansom clearsKenny played 55 times for the Sky Blues in the early 1990s (1990-93).

Future Sky Blue 'gaffer' Phil Neal (1993-95) made up the fifth man with Sky Blue connections.

He got into the game as a ninetieth minute substitute!Share Post.