KEITH HOUCHEN’S spectacular diving header for Coventry against Tottenham in 1987 will go down as one of the greatest goals in FA Cup final history.
Yet just as important was possibly the scrappiest of his career in the fourth-round tie that season, against the Sky Blues’ semi-final opponents tomorrow — Manchester United.
Houchen recalled: “At the time I was just delighted to have scored the goal to win the tie at Old Trafford and get us through to the next round.
“I had only joined Coventry at the start of that 1986-87 season from York and was trying to establish myself.
“I had been out between September and December after suffering an injury in the second or third game of the season, so to score the winner at Old Trafford was a big moment for me.
“I would love to say it was as memorable as my diving header in the final but it was the complete opposite.
“Our left-back Greg Downs hit a low cross in from the left-hand side and first it reached David Phillips, who nicked it towards goal before it got to me at the near post.
“From my initial shot, the ball bobbled about to the United keeper, Chris Turner, then the rebound hit me smack in the face!
“Finally, as the ball crept along the line I managed to stick my leg out, which was only fractionally longer than Norman Whiteside’s and was able to poke it into the goal.
“It’s amazing to see Sir Alex Ferguson’s blast afterwards at his United team in the press the next day after we had won the tie. I suppose he was just warming up his hairdryer!
“Of course, at that time, Fergie was under pressure to deliver in his early days in charge. What he went on to achieve at the club was sensational.
“When you win in the fourth round you don’t even think about Wembley.
“Yet, I’m pretty sure it was after this win at Manchester United when our manager John Sillett told everyone, ‘We’re going to win the FA Cup this season’. It was a grand statement but a fairytale that came true.”
Sadly Sillett died two years ago, along with his fellow Sky Blues manager George Curtis.
Another of Coventry’s FA Cup heroes Cyrille Regis passed away in 2018. Houchen added: “We have always remained such a close-knit group and all three are very sadly missed. I reflect on our 1987 Cup success with huge pride at the Coventry squad and the way we all played for each other.”
FA Cup goal hero Houchen will be watching Sunday’s semi-final against United at home and kicking every ball.
The former striker said: “Coventry’s quarter-final performance at Wolves was so reminiscent of our side in 1987.
“I sat glued to it with my grandson, Roman. They had played so well and I thought they deserved to win the game.
“But then to be 2-1 down in the 88th minute felt absolutely gut-wrenching.
“However, the way they kept believing and then got two goals in added-on time was jump-off-the-sofa excitement at the end.
“I felt absolutely elated for the whole club at the final whistle. I was also delighted for Ellis Simms who had missed a great chance at the start but didn’t let it affect him and went on to score two goals.
“I also watched Manchester United last weekend at Bournemouth, and if they play anything like that at Wembley on Saturday, I think Mark Robins’ side have a chance. I’ll be watching avidly.
“If Coventry win the FA Cup this season I believe it will be a greater achievement than our victory in 1987.
“To overcome Wolves, Manchester United and then either Manchester City or Chelsea in the final as a second-tier team would be extraordinary.”