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This season proved to be turning point in the entire history of Coventry City Football Club.The season started of badly for Manager Billy Frith with a 4-0 defeat to Reading and a poor showing in a 3-0 defeat to Workington the writing was on the wall for Frith.
The FA Cup would bring little change and chairman Derrick Robins had plans in place to replace Frith.He invited Jimmy Hill a former Fulham player and Chairman of the PFA to the FA Cup tie against Kings Lynn at Highfield Road on 25th November 1961.
This day was to be known as 'Black Saturday' with Coventry losing 2-1 to the southern league side.Frith was sacked along with his backroom staff of former players Alf Wood and Ted Roberts.Frith went back into teaching and never returned,this ending his long association as a player(1932-39 and 46-47)and Manager twice (1947-48 and (57-61)with Coventry but in an interview in 1968 he said Coventry is his club and always will be,he passed away in 1996.
Meanwhile Jimmy Hill well I must take over now because they can't get any lower the only way is up.This kicked off the 'Sky Blue Era' even though they were not to change their kit until 1962-63 season.
They finished this season in 14th position,but know one would believe what was round the corner.
When Jimmy Hill took over he had inherited a dispirited side,a weak playing staff, a ground that reeked of stagnation and a city which was quickly losing interest in it's football club.There was a long road ahead to get things to improve.
A new training schedule was laid down,this included coming in on Monday's which previously players had off.Hill used the remainder of the 1961-62 to assess the player's and was not afraid to make decisions that would upset people.
After the boxing day game with Grimsby he invited the kids of Coventry to meet the player's for autograph's and have pop and crisps for free.This Hill saw as bringing the club closer to the community.He started to bring in players he knew and build a backroom staff such as Alan Dicks as his assistant,former player Peter Hill was one of his trainers.
He also invited local works sides to friendly games at highfield road against City XI's,Hill could also see any other local talent that they might come up against.Gates were slowly increasing but a complete overhaul was required and people couldn't wait for the start of the 1962-63 season
City's home game against Southend,City in red tops due to clash of colours
Training sessions took place at Highfield road before city bought the centre at Ryton.Note the poor state of the pitch because of this.
Hill talks tactics with the players.note George Curtis far right
Jimmy Hill signs autographs for the young fans note the old colours,City were still the Bantams then,the Sky Blues did not appear until 1962-63 season
Jimmy Hill parks his car and makes his way to the staff entrance at the old main stand before it was burnt down in a later fire in 1968
George Curtis leads out the team against Southend Feb 1962.The City changed to their red tops during the first half due to a colour clash.
