Ex-Coventry's Ernie Machin (RIP 2012) - Would have been 70

[Macmoish]

Today (April 26): Coventry's Ernie Machin would have been 70
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernie_Machin

I was wrong when I originally involved in the Donkey Kick....
But that QPR team sheet below: 8 home growns out of 11 (+ 3 Bargains buys)


As posted a couple of year ago


Reportedly RIP: Former Coventry City Ernie Machin

(Think involved in the Famed "Donkey Kick" Goal

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wjq2xT-tx38





www.football.co.uk/coventry_city/ernie_machin_rip_rss2966403.shtml

Ernie Machin RIP
Published: 23 Jul 2012 - 18:44:217 Views 0 Comments
Rss feedcommentsMoreClick To Enlarge Former City midfielder passes away

According to a tweet from former player and twice Coventry City manager Bobby Gould, former City player Ernie Machin has sadly died aged 68.

A Lancashire born midfielder, Ernie made 284 +2 sub appearances for City, scoring 39 goals.

He left City in 1972 and made appearances for Plymouth and Brighton.

He was a member of the Coventry City Former Players Association and a regular at many of their events, despite being confined to a wheelchair in his later life.

[Macmoish]

Confirmed RIP

Coventry Official Site


NEWS: Ernie Machin passes away
Posted on: Mon 23 Jul 2012

Coventry City Football Club are sad to report the death of former Sky Blues inside-forward Ernie Machin, aged 68.

Machin, who passed away on Sunday, was spotted by then Coventry City manager Jimmy Hill while playing for Lancashire League side Nelson in March 1962, going on to make 248 appearances for the club band scoring 39 goals in ten years at Highfield Road between 1962 and 1972.

Coventry City Football Club would like to extend it's deepest condolences to Ernie's family at this difficult time and share in their sadness at his passing.

Coventry City deputy chairman John Clarke said: "This is very sad news for thousands of Coventry City fans like myself who were fortunate enough to be there during the original Sky Blue era.

"Ernie Machin was one of the original Sky Blue team and Jimmy Hill went on record to say that he was his best ever signing.

"This is a very, very sad loss and our thoughts and condolences go to his family at this very difficult time."

Obituary
Courtesy of Jim Brown

Jimmy Hill spotted Ernie playing for Lancashire League side Nelson in March 1962 and he was always described as Hill's "blue eyed boy", probably because JH persisted with him in his early career when the fans gave him some stick after a dip in form.

Playing as a scheming inside-forward Ernie was on the verge on England Under 23 honours when he suffered a serious knee injury against Watford in 1963. He ended up having several operations and it was eighteen months before he was fully recovered. He returned to play a pivotal role in the club's charge to the Second Division title in 1967 and netted eleven goals including many memorable late goals to draw or win games.

When skipper George Curtis broke his leg in the club's second game in Division One there was only one candidate for the captaincy and Ernie was proud to lead the team out. He missed only three games in those first two years of struggle and was a regular, when fit, right up to the time of his departure. A bad car accident put him out for three months in 1970 and his knee continued to trouble him, as it does to this day.

In 1972 he became the first English football player to successfully challenge a fine and suspension by the Football Association in the courts. He was sent off in a game at Newcastle for allegedly kicking an opponent, however TV evidence showed that he was innocent; nevertheless the FA noticed something else which he had done and upheld the disciplinary action on the basis of that without allowing him to present a defence. The courts ruled against the FA, and the PFA subsequently established the rights of players to legal representation in disciplinary cases.

Ernie was sold to Plymouth Argyle for £35,000 in October 1972 by new bosses Joe Mercer and Gordon Milne keen to raise money to buy Tommy Hutchison and Colin Stein. He had ten great years at Highfield Road making 284 appearances and scoring 39 goals and but for injury would have reached the 400 mark.

After eighteen happy months at Plymouth where he helped them to promotion and became a cult hero he had two years at Brighton. In 1977 he was persuaded by Jimmy Hill, now chairman, to return to Coventry as youth team coach. It didn't work out however and he left football and worked for Car Bodies and Massey Ferguson.

www.ccfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10269~2858339,00.html?

[Macmoish]

Wikipedia Profile
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernie_Machin

[oldman]

Very sad, a solid loyal player for Coventry. I think the famous free kick was Ernie Hunt and Willie Carr. If I remember correctly Ernie Hunt had played for Swindon with Mike Summerbee. I recall Coventry winning 1 nil at QPR in our 18 point season I think both Ernies and Carr played. Machin was I think a steady character and Hunt a bit fiery with a black moustache that made him look a bit like a pantomime 'baddie'.

[Bushman]

Jul 23, 2012 22:47:38 GMT oldman said:

Very sad, a solid loyal player for Coventry. I think the famous free kick was Ernie Hunt and Willie Carr. If I remember correctly Ernie Hunt had played for Swindon with Mike Summerbee. I recall Coventry winning 1 nil at QPR in our 18 point season I think both Ernies and Carr played. Machin was I think a steady character and Hunt a bit fiery with a black moustache that made him look a bit like a pantomime 'baddie'.

It was Ernie Hunt with the free kick.

[Macmoish]

Jul 23, 2012 23:11:28 GMT Bushman said:

Jul 23, 2012 22:47:38 GMT oldman said:

Very sad, a solid loyal player for Coventry. I think the famous free kick was Ernie Hunt and Willie Carr. If I remember correctly Ernie Hunt had played for Swindon with Mike Summerbee. I recall Coventry winning 1 nil at QPR in our 18 point season I think both Ernies and Carr played. Machin was I think a steady character and Hunt a bit fiery with a black moustache that made him look a bit like a pantomime 'baddie'.

It was Ernie Hunt with the free kick.



8 of the 11 QPR Team Home Grown & 3 Bargain Buys...