The Coventry City Former Players Association are pleased to confirm that popular former Sky Blue Andy Blair will be the Association’s ‘special guest’ at this coming Saturday’s league One fixture against Doncaster Rovers at the Ricoh. Andy will be hoping that the Sky Blues can continue their excellent recent form taking nine points by winning their last three league games before tonight’s game at Bradford when we all hope they will extend their run.
Scottish born but Bedworth bred (educated at Nicholas Chamberlaine), Andy lives and works locally. The longstanding CCFPA member is a ‘Ricoh regular’, has been a CCFPA Golf Day champion and regularly attends Legends Day.
Andy (left) & team at golf day 2018
Starting out as a Sky Blues apprentice the midfielder got a winning D1 debut v. Birmingham in October 1978. Andy clocked up 112 CCFC appearances in total (scoring nine goals) before moving on to local rivals, Aston Villa in 1981. He also gained 5 Scottish U21 caps (one goal) with us.
A European Cup Winner whilst at Villa Park, Andy subsequently played for Wolves and Barnsley on loan, Sheffield Wednesday, Aston Villa (again) from 1986-88 and Northampton Town (1988-89). After a brief sojourn with Maltese outfit Naxaar Lions Andy returned to play for a number of English non-league clubs.
Andy Blair at our Legends Day
Andy runs a local chain of sports and school wear outlets and supplies us with our the popular official CCFPA ties. He also keeps his footballing skills going with a bit of scouting (most recently for Stoke City).
Sadly, the Blair family suffered the loss to cancer of Andy’s son Ross in August 2017. However, his other son Matty followed Andy into the professional game and will likely be playing on Saturday for City’s opponents, so Andy’s normal fervent Sky Blues support may be just a little tested on the day!
Andy in Sky Blue action
Look out for Andy in the club’s Family Zone before the game where he will be introduced to CCFC’s youngerst fans and their families by CCFPA AM Pat Raybould. he will continue with a tour of the Ricoh lounges meeting older supporters together with CCFC club host and another former Sky Blue CCFPA member Brian ‘Harry’ Roberts. After the match, with hopefully another win in the Sky Blue bag, Andy will be enticed down under the Ricoh into the G-Casino to talk to CCFPA’s Billy Bell in a Q&A in front of fans in Lady G’s show bar.
If you really can’t get to the game Andy’s dulcet tones will be broadcast from the Ricoh Press Box along with the Live matchday Commentary team of BBC CWR. He will be providing them with comment and analysis as the game unfolds. Either way, join CCFP’a ‘special guest’ as the Sky Blues take on Doncaster Rovers on Saturday!