Overview

When the Sky Was Blue celebrates Coventry City’s nine-season adventure in the Premier League, from founder members to relegation, through a compelling array of brand-new interviews with managers, players and other key figures from the time. While not the most glamorous club to have played in the division, few can match the Sky Blues for madcap tales. This book tells those stories through the memories of those who were there. Hear how Bobby Gould’s decision to hold pre-season in an army barracks led to near-death experiences and career-ending injury. Savour the glitz and glamour of Ron Atkinson’s whirlwind spell at Highfield Road. Relive Gordon Strachan making Robbie Keane Britain’s most expensive teenager. Oh, and there’s also those heart-stopping relegation battles, FA Cup heartbreak and the time Coventry City became ‘The Entertainers’.

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9781801504621

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Reviews

"""Very much striking the right tone as the writer wished in his intro, this is 224 pages of shared ‘memories of players, managers and key individuals’ – beginning where Rich Chamberlain came in as a fan, 15 August, 1992, Coventry City v Middlesbrough. City won, 2-1. A case of, ‘While the sky is blue, we’ll never lose!’. So, relive again, or for the first time, several mid-table finishes and lower orders and an 8th, according to this commendable book."" -- Mark Watkins * Dare Radio *"

"""Very much striking the right tone as the writer wished in his intro, this is 224 pages of shared 'memories of players, managers and key individuals' – beginning where Rich Chamberlain came in as a fan, 15 August, 1992, Coventry City v Middlesbrough. City won, 2-1. A case of, 'While the sky is blue, we’ll never lose!' So, relive again, or for the first time, several mid-table finishes and lower orders and an 8th, according to this commendable book."" -- Mark Watkins * Dare Radio * ""Surprising in its honesty throughout: rarely do football tomes featuring ex players manage to go beyond the platitudinal 'great bunch of lads' and 'top, top coach', yet here we have genuine insight, sometimes lingering anger, as egos clash and hatchets are occasionally buried or continued. It is extremely refreshing to read for this reason. It regurgitates very little and finds new angles on old tales, adding much to the sum total of Coventry City knowledge from that time. The author needs applauding for his efforts in this regard. The book provoked plenty of nostalgia and much joy was found in the sense of hanging out with some of the favourite players of my Highfield Road childhood and adolescence. I consumed it in huge great chunks larger than Micky Quinn’s appetite."" * Live in Some Other Moment *"

"""Very much striking the right tone as the writer wished in his intro, this is 224 pages of shared 'memories of players, managers and key individuals' – beginning where Rich Chamberlain came in as a fan, 15 August, 1992, Coventry City v Middlesbrough. City won, 2-1. A case of, 'While the sky is blue, we’ll never lose!' So, relive again, or for the first time, several mid-table finishes and lower orders and an 8th, according to this commendable book."" -- Mark Watkins * Dare Radio * ""Surprising in its honesty throughout: rarely do football tomes featuring ex players manage to go beyond the platitudinal 'great bunch of lads' and 'top, top coach', yet here we have genuine insight, sometimes lingering anger, as egos clash and hatchets are occasionally buried or continued. It is extremely refreshing to read for this reason. It regurgitates very little and finds new angles on old tales, adding much to the sum total of Coventry City knowledge from that time. The author needs applauding for his efforts in this regard. The book provoked plenty of nostalgia and much joy was found in the sense of hanging out with some of the favourite players of my Highfield Road childhood and adolescence. I consumed it in huge great chunks larger than Micky Quinn’s appetite."" * Live in Some Other Moment * ""When Coventry City were relegated from the Premier League in 2001, it ended an unbroken run of 34 years in the top flight of English football, a record for longevity bettered by only ten clubs in history. This books looks at the glamour of the sometimes madcap Premier League years under the management of Bobby Gould, Phil Neal, Ron Atkinson and Gordon Strachan."" * Backpass magazine *"

Author Information

Rich Chamberlain’s first trip to watch his beloved Coventry City was in the inaugural Premier League season. He witnessed a dire 2-0 defeat to Wimbledon. Amazingly, this failed to put him off a life following the Sky Blues. Away from football, Rich is a former freelance journalist who has interviewed stars as diverse as rap royalty Ice-T, rock hell-raisers Mötley Crüe, pop songstress Sheryl Crow and football icon Jimmy Hill.

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