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Coventry City 1987 Retro Shirt Brought Back as the Sky Blues Reach Wembley
Coventry City’s inspired FA Cup run has led to a rush of fans desperate to get their hands on the kit worn by the Sky Blues when they won the FA Cup in 1987.
The 37-year-old retro classic shirt has always had a special place in the hearts of City fans. But now more than ever, the classic kit is sought after again, with Mark Robins’ team heading to Wembley for the FA Cup semi-final.
A season to remember whatever the outcome
Is this as far as the Sky Blues get, meaning the retro kit only gets one outing at Wembley this year? Maybe. At least the bookmakers say it is, as Coventry are outsiders to win the FA Cup. The favourite to lift the famous trophy is Manchester City at odds of 8/13. The rest of the FA Cup betting odds have Manchester United at 9/4, Chelsea at 6/1 and Coventry City at 25/1.
Whatever happens in the remainder of the competition for Coventry, they have already overachieved.
FA Cup fever at the club had been slowly building. The draw opened up for the Sky Blues with a 5th Round home tie against non-league Maidstone United offering them a route into the 6th Round.
And it was in the 6th Round that it was supposed to end for Coventry. An away tie at mid-table Premier League Wolves saw City face higher league opposition for the first time in the competition. But once the Sky Blues pulled off a remarkable 3-2 FA Cup win at Molineux, all of a sudden, FA Cup fever went through the roof.
Why the 1987 retro kit so important to Coventry City fans
The shirt on sale from Coventry City is a genuine replica of the shirt worn by Coventry City on the most famous day in the club’s history. The 3-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur in 1987 was the first time Coventry had ever won a major trophy, and apart from lower league championship and cup wins, it still is.
Dave Bennett and Keith Houchen were Coventry’s goal scorers on that famous day at Wembley. The Sky Blues’ winner in extra-time came courtesy of a Gary Mabutt own goal.
The match is probably best remembered for Keith Houchen’s second-half equaliser for Coventry City. Ironically, the cross for Houchen’s goal was provided by Dave Bennett, the scorer of Coventry’s first goal, on an exceptional day for the winger.
Bennett knew how to bend the ball in behind the defenders. He may not have been looking specifically for Houchen, but the ball was put into the right area for the striker to attack it, and that’s exactly what he did, diving full length to get his head to the ball and send it past veteran goalkeeper Ray Clemence into the Tottenham goal. Houchen’s goal means the kit will be forever part of Coventry City’s history.
It will never be forgotten.
One of the all-time great FA Cup goals will keep the kit alive
Outside of Coventry City fans, the 1987 final is best remembered for Houchen’s goal. It’s still shown on television whenever a montage of past classic FA Cup final goals is played. The footage means the kit will live on in the memory for many years to come. And not just with Coventry City fans.
