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Coventry FA Cup-winning coach Sillett dies

AAPPress Association
John Sillett, who led Coventry City to 1987 FA Cup Final success, has died.
Camera IconJohn Sillett, who led Coventry City to 1987 FA Cup Final success, has died. Credit: AP

John Sillett, who steered Coventry to FA Cup glory in 1987, has died at the age of 85.

Sillett managed Coventry between 1986 and 1990 and, working alongside George Curtis, masterminded a memorable 3-2 Wembley final win over Tottenham.

"Obviously the family are really saddened by Dad's passing but we are all so proud of him and what he achieved," a statement from the Sillett family read.

"Dad will be remembered for his FA Cup win but he also guided Coventry and Hereford to their highest League positions as well as taking Coventry to a League Cup semi-final. He had the ability to galvanise and gel teams - a skill quite rare."

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Southampton-born Sillett was a fullback who began his career at Chelsea in 1954, being a member, with brother Peter, of their title-winning team in 1954-55, and went on to play more than 100 games for the Blues.

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Sillett later played for Coventry and Plymouth before moving into management at Hereford.

He returned to Hereford for a second spell between 1991 and 1992 after leading Coventry to the only major honour in their 138-year history.

Coventry posted a picture of their former boss on Twitter alongside a blue heart emoji, with a full tribute on their website.

"Coventry City Football Club are devastated to learn of the death of Sky Blues icon John Sillett," it read.

"'Snoz' will forever be loved and remembered by Sky Blues fans and all who met him, who will remember a larger-than-life character who loved football and Coventry City.

"A hugely respected and loved figure in the game, John Sillett's name is indelibly etched into Coventry City's history, and the thoughts and condolences of everyone at Coventry City Football Club and of the whole Sky Blue community are with John's family and friends at this very sad time."

Sky Blues cup winner David Phillips also paid tribute, tweeting: "I will miss him as we all will. God Bless you. Thoughts are with Jean, Neil and the rest of the family."

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