We are pleased to confirm that popular former Sky Blue Andy Blair will be the Association’s ‘special guest’ at this coming Tuesday afternoon’s Championship fixture against Sheffield Wednesday at the CBS Arena. There is sure to be another ‘bumper’ crowd at the stadium joining Andy to watch this Boxing Day contest (especially after the Sky Blues magnificent 3-0 win at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light yesterday!
Andy regularly does a ‘special guest’ stint for us each season and, like all Sky Blue fans, will be hoping that Mark Robins men keep the momentum going and get another three points and that much closer to play-off possibilities.
Scottish born but Bedworth bred (educated at Nicholas Chamberlaine), Andy lives and works locally. The longstanding CCFPA member has been a regular at Sky Blues home games in the past and always supports our Legends Days. He has been an individual CCFPA Golf Day overall champion, partnered the winning team Amber Security team in GD19 and won the ‘nearest the pin’ prize in GD22 in June 2022 (below right).
Starting out as a Sky Blues apprentice the midfielder got a winning Division One debut v. Birmingham City in October 1978. Andy clocked up 112 CCFC appearances in total (scoring nine goals) before moving on to local rivals, Aston Villa in 1981. He also gained five U21 caps for Scotland (one goal) whilst with us.
A European Cup Winner whilst at Villa Park, Andy subsequently played for Wolverhampton Wanderers and Barnsley on loan, Sheffield Wednesday, Aston Villa (again) from 1986-88 and Northampton Town (1988-89). After a brief sojourn with Maltese outfit Naxaar Lions Andy returned to play for a number of English non-league clubs.
Andy runs a local chain of sports and school wear outlets and supplies us with our the popular official CCFPA ties. In the past he has also kept his footballing skills going with a bit of scouting (most recently for Stoke City).
Sadly, the Blair family suffered the loss to cancer of Andy’s son Ross in August 2017. However, his other son Matty followed Andy into the professional game, latterly with Cheltenham Town, but sadly was forced to retire from the game due to injury a couple of years ago!
Look out for Andy on Saturday touring the CBS Arena lounges pre-match where he will do Q&As together with club host (and another former Sky Blue) CCFPA member Brian ‘Harry’ Roberts, meeting supporters and other CCFC FPs.
After the game no doubt Andy will be coaxed dow to meet more fans in the G-Casino’s Lady G’s lounge where he and CCFPA’s Billy Bell will entertain the audience hopefully bouyed by a Sky Blue victory from Mark Robins‘ men.
CCFPA Committee members Jim Brown (chairman) and Mike Young will also have their regular pages in CCFC’s matchday programme for half time reading!
If you really can’t get to the game BBC CWR’s regular live ‘matchday’ pundit Steve Ogrizovic (also a CCFPA member) will be providing the BBC team with comment and analysis as the game unfolds.
Look out for a report of Andy’s visit in due course on this site (and our Facebook page)!
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