Pictures of Ken and Peter will be on the big screen as we commemorate the two former players...
Coventry City will be wearing black armbands tonight against Swindon Town in memory of two former players, Ken Hale and Peter Hill.
Our thoughts are with the families of Ken and Peter as we celebrate them on the big screens at the Ricoh Arena this evening, with all the players wearing armbands in their remembrance.
Obituary
Peter Hill
Born: August 1931
One of many Derbyshire youngsters brought to Highfield Road by Harry Storer and Charlie Elliott in the late 1940s; Peter cut his teeth with City’s nursery club Modern Machines.
His one-club career started when he made his debut as a 17-year old at Hillsborough in early 1949. Originally an inside forward he did not become a regular in the side until 1952 and then was a fixture in the side for ten years giving long and loyal service.
In 1958 he was successfully switched to the right wing where his speed was put to good effect. Older fans still remember his stunning goal from the right wing in the promotion battle with Norwich in 1960 and his goalscoring record was very respectable for a winger. Peter hung his boots up at the early age of 31 and became trainer during Jimmy Hill’s Sky Blue revolution. After leaving the club in 1970 the popular man returned in the late 1980s to become the club's kit man. He made 303 appearances for City and scored 77 goals.
Ken Hale
Born: September 1939
Blonde-haired Ken made his bow for City at Notts County on 15 December 1962, replacing Hugh Barr in a 1-1 draw, but his appearances were restricted by an Achilles injury in that weather-battered season that saw the Sky Blues reach the FA Cup sixth round.
On his home debut the following week he scored City’s second goal against Colchester but the game was abandoned at half-time because of fog & the goal didn’t count. He scored his first ‘official’ goal in the home win over Barnsley 'a booming shot' and scored the late equaliser, a ‘screamer’ according to Nemo in the Coventry Telegraph, in the 1-1 draw at Portsmouth in the fourth round.
The following season Hale was first-choice at inside-forward and netted 16 league goals, 13 of them before the turn of the year, as City marched to the Third Division title. His understanding with winger Willie Humphries and centre-forward George Hudson seemed telepathic at times & he was undoubtedly one of the best players in the division that season.
He made a total of 111 appearances and scored 33 goals.
With thanks to Jim Brown.