Lifelong Coventry City fan Simon Kimbrell is the next Sky Blues fan to choose his best City side.
Simon explained, "I’ve been a City fan for life and started going up aged around 7 (1980/81) with my grandad who lived on Caludon Rd, once a teenager my mates and I would be on the West Terrace in the 90’s and I was also lucky enough to run the players bar for a few years in the mid-90’s so met a lot of City and other players of that era."
Simon, pictured with City legend Darren Huckerby, has lived in Lincoln for 10 years and coaches a team of Under 11s.
Now he talks us through his best side...
Goalkeeper - Steve Ogrizovic
There was some competition for this given the number of goalies I’ve seen between the pipes at Highfield Rd and the Ricoh over the years but the big man was such a great goalie and genuinely nice bloke and his longevity made him a legend.
Right-back - Roland Nilsson
Without a doubt one of the classiest players to ever wear Sky Blue. Silky smooth on the ball and great reader of the game.
Left-back - David Burrows
Big Ron called him the best English left back when he signed him and he brought real grit and leadership into the team and if not for injury would’ve made 200+ appearances
Centre Back - Gary Breen
We all dream of a team of Gary Breens – he was that good, so calm and composed on the ball and 63 appearances for Ireland confirms it.
Centre Back - Phil Babb
Signed originally as a left back, him and Peter Atherton formed a great centre back partnership and were the reason we had the best defence outside the top 5 in 92/93 – no surprise he became the most expensive defender in England when we sold him to Liverpool.
Midfield - Gary McAllister
Simply the best midfielder I’ve ever seen play in Sky Blue, he was also a great skipper on and off the pitch and a consummate professional. Losing him and Robbie Keane in one summer doomed us to relegation.
Midfield - Michael Doyle
A real motivator and driving force in recent years, great engine, fierce tackler
Right Wing - Dave Bennett
Archetypal silky winger and best crosser of a ball in the 80’s. Chipped in with timely goals too (see ’87 semi and final). When Beckham was in primary school his dad would’ve been telling him to bend it like Benno
Left Wing - Peter Ndlovu
Electric on the ball, left defenders tripping over themselves, occasionally frustrating but often mesmerising.
Centre Forward - Dion Dublin
After 2 injury riddled seasons at Man Utd we had no idea what we were getting when Phil Neal paid £2m for him but he hit the ground running with goals immediately and endeared himself to the fans. The 97/98 partnership with Huckerby was the stuff of dreams (unless your name was Viorel Moldovan), which must’ve given opposition defenders fits.
Centre Forward - Cyrille Regis
On his day the man was unplayable. Power, pace and a great touch. Probably should’ve scored a few more, but created many and a deserved Sky Blue Legend.
Honourable Mentions:
David Speedie, Stewart Robson, Darren Huckerby, Robbie Keane, Trevor Peake, Mustapha Hadji, Kevin Gallacher, Brian Borrows, Steve Froggatt, Gary Gillespie, Terry Gibson