Colleagues, friends and Sky Blues fans have been paying tribute to former matchday announcer and ‘Voice of Highfield Road’ Jim Twyneham, who has sadly passed away following a short battle with cancer.
We have been in contact with some of those who knew Jim best to share their memories, and collected some of your thoughts from social media too:
Stuart Linnell - Mercia Sound, BBC Radio and former CCFC matchday announcer:
“Thank you for inviting me to add my tribute to Jim Twyneham.
The number of messages and calls I have received about Jim - asking if I'd heard of his passing, asking if it was true, and simply sharing memories - bear testimony to the impact he made in Coventry and beyond, and to the huge respect in which he was held.
Jim's voice has been remarked on by so many. Deep and distinctive, it was immediately recognisable as the voice of Highfield Road. If anyone epitomised the latter years of the Sky Blues in their old home, it was Jim Twyneham.
That he also worked at Wembley must not be forgotten, and of course the famous Silk Disco is fondly remembered by so many too.
Jim also presented late night weekend shows on Coventry's first local radio station, Mercia Sound. I was running Mercia in the 80s when a mutual friend, the late Ken Widdows, then Sports Editor of the Coventry Evening Telegraph, suggested that Jim and that marvellous voice would be perfect for radio. It was a lightbulb moment, with Ken pointing out something that had been staring me in the face.
When I asked Jim if he would like to present some late night shows at weekends, he didn't hesitate in his reply. Someone asked me to describe his voice. My answer was that it was so deep you could almost see the speakers tremble when he spoke, and that it was perfect for a show including late night romantic music. Just down and dirty, and just what we needed.
His quizzes at places like the Chestnut Tree in Craven Street have also been mentioned at the end of a life cut short far too soon.
RIP Jim - one of Coventry's great characters, who wrote his own chapter in the city's modern day history.
He would want us to add, "Play Up Sky Blues".
John Dalziel - current CCFC matchday announcer:
“It was only a couple of weeks ago we lost Neil Walker, one of our current match day team, and now the Godfather of CCFC announcing has gone to smoke cigars and be on the tannoy for the big man upstairs!
Thank you Jim for being an inspiration, handing over the baton of CCFC announcer, giving me the opportunity to do a dream job and showing me the ropes 15 years ago at Highfield Road. No one will ever hit those base tones like you!”
Jim Brown - Club Historian and Former Players Association Chairman:
“I knew Jim for many years and he shared my enthusiasm for Coventry City and its history. As the match day announcer at Highfield Road he was totally unique and a true Sky Blue legend.”
Bruce Walker - friend of Jim’s and Vice Chair of the Sky Blue Trust:
“DJ, quiz master, and above all a life-long City fan, unswerving to the end. The dark brown voice of Highfield Road, 'Jim the Tannoy' was the sound of CCFC for, literally, generations of fans. An active member of the Sky Blue Trust, Jim wanted nothing but the best for CCFC and was prepared to argue for it strongly and at length in those rich tones. The Trust wishes to join with all City fans in extending their deepest condolences to Jim’s family for their loss. He will never be forgotten. On a personal note, Jim was a mate and a part of my history. When I visited him a few days before his death his last words to me were 'Say Hi to everybody'. I said I would and I’m saying it now on his behalf. RIP JT – we’re really going to miss you.”
Social Media:
@martw17 Very sad to say that we lost Jim Twynham today, stadium announcer at CCFC and friend to many of us.A true sky blue for certain. rip Jim mate
@chiefdave74 RIP the voice of Highfield Road Jim Twynham. There's a couple of generations of @Coventry_City fans who will never forget that voice #PUSB
@Cj_covblaze #rip Jim Twynham. Gutted. The voice of CCFC, Wembley & my childhood. Lovely man. Had many happy evenings taking about all things City #pusb
@susiebluesky RIP Jim Twyneham....voice of Highfield Road #PUSB
@TheBluestStar Sorry to hear Jim Twyneham has died. He was an all round great bloke. Got to know him in the past few years from The Chestnut Tree Quiz. ½
@TheBluestStar 2/2 He was a brilliant presenter on Mercia Sound and announcer for the Sky Blues. Rest in peace, mate. You were loved. #RIPJimTwyneham
@1RajAthwal the man was a total gent. Cov through & through & always willing to help on match days at HR
@TheRealLiamCook Very sad to hear the legendary voice of Highfield Road Jim Twynham has died. RIP to a true Sky Blue
Andy Bridge Very sad that gravely distinct voice plays a huge part of my happy memories from highfield rd thanks for the memories rip the voice of Ccfc rip
John Burns The voice of Coventry city. RIP
Stuart Deering Highfield road legend RIP