The Coventry City Former Players Association is delighted that longstanding Association Member and regular visitor to the Ricoh Chris Cattlin has agreed to be our special guest at the Sky Blues’ last home game of the year on Saturday 31st December 2011 against one of his other former clubs, Brighton and Hove Albion. Chris is a regular at the Association’s reunions and Legends Days.
He was the guest back in November at the Amec Community Stadium and received a massive ovation from both sets of supporters on that day when he was introduced at half-time.
‘Cat’ or ‘Spider’ is a well loved and respected alumni of both the competing teams having served CCFC as an adventurous and athletic left back between 1968-76. Noel Cantwell purchased him in March 1968 for the substantial sum in those days of £70k from Huddersfield Town where he had made his name. Chris eventually played 239 times for the Sky Blues including in their sole European campaign in 1970-71 (unfortunately without ever finding the opponent’s net!) He gained two Under 23 caps for the Club before moving on to the Seagulls in the close season of 1976.
At Brighton, he was twice a promotion winner as a player under Alan Mullery in the 1970s scoring 2 goals in 114 first team appearances up to retiring in 1980. He later returned to the Goldstone in a coaching capacity just prior to being promoted to being their Manager in October 1983 (replacing Jimmy Melia). Reputedly something of a disciplinarian Chris substantially turned the club’s fortunes round leading them to within striking distance of promotion and a F.A.Cup quarter final place before being sacked (unjustly according to many Seagull’s supporters) in May 1986. Chris still lives and has business interests in the Brighton area.
Look out for him ‘around the lounges’ at the Ricoh, on the local media and in Lady Gs in the Casino at the Ricoh after the game. This Lancastrian is sure to have some interesting and forthright opinions about the game and his time with both clubs.