Jimmy was a huge influence on Coventry City with his incredible 'Sky Blue Revolution' during the 1960s...
Coventry City are deeply saddened to learn of the death of former manager and chairman Jimmy Hill.
Jimmy's Sky Blue revolution 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.
After three exciting season in Division Two and Highfield Road attracting huge crowds, Hill led the club to the promised land of Division One in 1967 to complete the Sky Blue revolution and one of the most incredible turnarounds of a football club in the post-war era.
Jimmy left the club as manager at the end of the season but returned in 1975 as managing director and later became chairman. 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 achieved.
City manager Tony Mowbray said: "Everyone at the club is in a state of shock and deep sadness at hearing the news of Jimmy's death.
"History tells us that without the efforts of Jimmy, both on the pitch and off it, Coventry City's future will have been extremely different from what it is today.
"There are very few examples which can contend with the amount Jimmy achieved at the club during such a small amount of time. He was a forward-thinker and a revolutionary who was determined to take Coventry and football forwards.
"The changes he made gave the club, the City and the supporters an identity and a club they can be proud of, and for that, the club will be eternally grateful."
RIP Jimmy Hill - Thank you for everything because without you, none of this would have been possible.