Coventry City pay tribute to former Manager and Chairman Jimmy Hill on the date of his birthday...
This Friday marks the birthday of Sky Blues Jimmy, as fans, Coventrians and the worlds of football and broadcasting will again remember the life of the club’s former Manager and Chairman.
Jimmy's Sky Blue era during the 1960's reversed the fortunes of the club forever and the changes he made put the club and the City on the map.
Hill retired from football at the age of 33 and became manager of the club in November 1961 after City had crashed out of the FA Cup against Kings Lynn and with City struggling in the old Third Division.
Jimmy's arrival sparked the ‘Sky Blue revolution’. Off the pitch, Jimmy and chairman Derrick Robbins made several changes with a new Sky Blue kit unveiled, the club's nickname was changed to the Sky Blues, trains known as the Sky Blue express were laid on for fans to travel and pre-match entertainment became commonplace.
On the pitch, his team began to play attractive, attacking and winning football. In the 1962/63 season, he led the club to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, where we lost to Manchester United but were then crowned Champions of Division Three in the 1963/64 season.
In 2011, Jimmy's achievements at the club were recognised as a statue of himself was unveiled at the Ricoh Arena as a constant reminder of what Jimmy accomplished.
Happy Birthday Jimmy!