Members News: 76 Years Ago Today, a Former Sky Blues Goalie Saves. Martin, happy birthday!

The Association wishes “Many Happy Returns” of the day to Martin Clamp, the former goalie for the Sky Blues, who joined CCFPA in 2013. Martin Coventry, who was born on the final day of January 1948, is 76 years old today!

Martin is one of the Association’s increasing number of transatlantic members who resides in Canada and occasionally communicates with us. From his schoolboy recruitment, Martin proved to be a capable keeper for the Club (joining the groundstaff in November 1964). Despite turning pro in January 1966, goalkeeping legends Bob Wesson and Bill Glazier (who also became fellow CCFPA members) virtually exclusively limited his outings to the reserve team.

Nonetheless, in March 1967, he played for the first team in a crucial cup match against West Ham United of the First Division. The “Hammers,” who included players like Alan Dickie, a current member of the CCFPA goalkeeping association, Bobby Moore, Harry Redknapp, and Geoff Hurst, faced the Sky Blues at Highfield Road in the Winston Churchill Memorial Cup. At the time, the Sky Blues were a Second Division team.

For context, on March 3, 1967, the game ended before a thrilling crowd of 18,524 with a score of 3–3. Dietmar Bruck, an active member of the CCFPA committee, Ian Gibson, and Ernie Machin scored the goals for City. Sadly, “Ernie” and “Gibbo,” two CCFPA members, have now passed away. For the Hammers, Geoff Hurst and Peter Brabrook (2) both scored goals. But, the Londoners won the trophy in the penalty shootout, which we lost 7-9. Coincidentally, the main stand at Highfield Road was completely destroyed by fire three days later!

Martin left the Sky Blues in close season 1968 and was signed by Plymouth Argyle where he had a number of first team outings in league and cup (nine) before returning to the Midlands turning out for Nuneaton Borough and Kettering Town amongst others. Finishing in England at Bedworth Town before moving to Canada he then played for a number of Canadian teams before hanging up his boots in 1985 at the age of 37. He worked in the postal services industry in his adopted country after he retired from the game and has lived in Ontario for well over three decades.

CCFPA Chairman Jim Brown has kept in good touch with Martin in recent years and welcomed him to the then Ricoh Arena on Good Friday 2019 (left) when Martin came over from Canada with his grandson, Denilson, who had a trial with City’s Academy the same week. They had come to watch the Sky Blues game with Bradford City which they won 2-0.

Have a great Birthday today Martin and see you next time you return to the UK!

Jim & Martin meet up