INTERVIEW: 1987 heroes talk about George Curtis and John Sillett

Launching this week was the fundraising effort for a statue of the Sky Blues giants, George Curtis and John Sillett. Four of Coventry City’s 1987 FA Cup winning heroes shared their recollections of them.

Speaking about their experience at the Club under George and John, Dave Bennett, Trevor Peake, Lloyd McGrath, and Steve Ogrizovic supported the fundraising campaign.

On that historic day in 1987, Bennett netted the first goal for the Sky Blues, leveling the score at one.

Bennett claimed, “They were good cops and bad cops.”

John was a really happy person who loved to laugh. George was a strict disciplinarian who insisted on you shaving and not wearing training shoes or earrings like I did!

“They worked together and got us together, and that’s why our team is still together to this day because the camaraderie they built.”

A mainstay at center half for the Cup-winning team, Trevor Peake, stated that the statue is a worthy homage to the two.

“They were very thoughtful in their sayings and we took it on board, and it turned out right in 87,” Peake stated.

“They most certainly deserve it. It’s wonderful that fans who were present at the time have something to look at and remember the 1980s with.”

In 1987, Spurs captain Gary Mabbutt turned Lloyd McGrath’s ball into his own net, giving City a 3-2 lead in extra time that they held to win the FA Cup back to Coventry. The midfielder was excited about the idea of the statue.

“Absolutely fantastic,” said McGrath.

“Two great blokes who thoroughly deserve it.”

“George was a disciplinarian, John was a joker – but together they made a great team and they brought the 87 lads to great heights.”

Steve Ogrizovic, the legendary goalkeeper for the club and a key member of the 1987 team, likened the two tributes to the statue of Jimmy Hill that is currently located at the Coventry Building Society Arena.

“I’m happy to see Jimmy Hill in public. People remark about meeting at the Jimmy Hill statue, and they’ll do the same with John and George. All three of them were present, and it will be wonderful to see how they all perceive the whole ambiance.

“The Football Club is on a real up at the moment, it’s in the best position it’s been in since the Premiership days and that’s great to see and they’d be very proud.”