RIP SKY BLUES HERO
John Sillett dead at 85: Tributes paid to Coventry legend who led them to historic FA Cup win and ex-Chelsea player
TRIBUTES have poured in for Coventry FA Cup hero John Sillett following his death aged 85.
The full-back came through the youth ranks at Southampton before spending eight years with Chelsea between 1954 and 1962.
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In 1955, he won the First Division alongside his brother Peter at Stamford Bridge.
After four years as a player at Coventry and then two with Plymouth, Sillett stepped into management.
He coached at Bristol City and his two spells as Hereford boss sandwiched four years in charge of the Sky Blues.
Sillett achieved top-flight finishes of tenth, tenth, seventh and twelfth.
And in 1987, he led the team to their greatest day - winning the FA Cup at Wembley.
Coventry beat Tottenham 3-2 after extra-time on a memorable afternoon for everyone associated with the football club.
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A family statement said: "Obviously today the family and really saddened by Dad's passing but we are all so proud of him and what he achieved.
"His ability to spot things tactically, change them during a game and enhance the abilities of players was top class.
"The respect he had from top people in the game and the kind of words we have received already underline the high regard in which he was held by the football world.
"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.
"He lifted people with his smile and wit, he always looked at life with a happiness which was highly contagious.
"The smiles he put on everyone's faces was never false, he loved Jean his wife, all his children and grandchildren and though he will be desperately missed, his spirit will stay with us forever."
Sillett's son Neil also shared an emotional post on Twitter on Tuesday morning with a selection of pictures of his dad.
He wrote: "A son should look up to his Dad and boy did I.
"He lived he loved he fought. He knew how to party and I hope he left you with a smile.
"He celebrated like no one else and Dad you will be so sorely missed but you will be celebrated like no one else. Luv Ya dearly RIP x"
‘Snoz’ will forever be loved and remembered by Sky Blues fans and all who met him
Coventry City
Ex-Coventry star Gary McSheffrey added: "RIP John Sillett, I am so sorry for your loss. He will forever be a Coventry City legend."
Coventry posted: "Coventry City Football Club are devastated to learn of the death of Sky Blues icon John Sillett.
"The Sky Blues’ legendary FA Cup winning boss and Life President has sadly passed away at the age of 85.
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"‘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.
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"John, alongside wife Jean, remained a regular in the Boardroom at games up until his death. He attended his final game earlier this season, watching the Sky Blues beat Nottingham Forest on the opening day of the season.
"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."
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