John Sillett
Encyclopedia
John Charles Sillett is a former football
player and manager.
His father Charlie Sillett
was a footballer (playing at full-back) with Southampton
between 1931 and 1938. He is the younger brother of Peter Sillett
, also a footballer.
Sillett played for Chelsea
, Coventry City
and Plymouth Argyle
. He won the Championship
with Chelsea in 1955, playing alongside his brother. Between 1954 and 1956 he did his National Service in the RAMC at the Royal Herbert Hospital, Woolwich, London.
He was manager of Coventry City from 1986 until 1990. He managed the Sky Blues to their finest moment on 16 May 1987, when they unexpectedly beat Tottenham Hotspur
3-2 in the FA Cup
final at Wembley
. It was the club's first appearance in an FA Cup final.
John is a larger than life character, well known in the footballing world. He played a large part in the history of both Hereford United
and Coventry City, helping both teams to historic wins.
, follow in his father's footsteps, and sign for their hometown side, Southampton
, although John never played for the first team. After their brief spells with the south coast team, they both moved on to Chelsea
as teenagers, where John would enjoy the highlight of his playing career, winning the Championship title in 1955.
Whilst at Stamford Bridge
, Sillett played over 100 games but scored just the single goal. Sillett finally departed Chelsea after the arrival of Tommy Docherty
, deciding to move on to Coventry City
in June 1962 who were at the time being managed by Jimmy Hill
.
During his spell at Highfield Road, Sillett played his part in winning the Third Division
title in 1963-64, but his playing days were limited after suffering a back problem.
In July 1966 Sillett joined Plymouth Argyle
, where he would eventually end his playing career.
.
Sillett’s first spell at Edgar Street started off brightly. During his first season he managed to guide his team into a respectable mid-table position, a vast improvement on the clubs 18th position the year previously.
It was the following season however, in 1975-76, that Sillett’s managerial skills really shone through. Helped by the inspirational signing of Dixie McNeil
, Sillett soon guided Hereford to the Third Division title.
Promotion to Division 2 still remains as United’s highest achievement, and it happened during a glorious spell for the Bulls. Just four years previously, United had enjoyed their epic FA Cup victory over Newcastle United, and now the new breed of players and staff at Edgar Street had added further silverware to the club's trophy cabinet.
The glory years weren’t set to last for Sillett though, as he became the first manager in history to see his side promoted from Division Three into Division Two, and suffer relegation back to where they came from the following season (1976–77). United had won just eight Division Two matches all season, finishing rock bottom in 22nd place.
Sillett managed to hold on to the managerial reins despite the club's relegation from Division Two, but not for long, in February, mid-way through the 1977-78 season, Sillett resigned from his post at Edgar Street. Tony Ford was introduced as the club's caretaker manager, but he failed to put a halt to United’s decline, and eventually saw them relegated for the second successive season, dropping back down into Division Four.
- himself an ex-Hereford manager - invited ‘Snozz’ to join him on the coaching staff at Coventry. Sillett’s first spell at Coventry on the coaching side was brief though, with him lasting just a single year alongside Gould, before leaving due to a poor period of form.
Sillett wasn't away from the Sky Blues for long however, with Don Mackay
calling him back two years later in 1985. This time it was Mackay's time that was limited and when Mackay departed in 1986 John Sillett was appointed chief coach alongside George Curtis.
It was under this regime that Coventry flourished after years of under-achievement, and with a side built under both the Gould and Mackay periods, the fresh input of Curtis and Sillett, and an improved style of football under their leadership led to some good times knocking on Coventry’s door.
On 16 May 1987 Coventry managed to secure a cup final showdown against Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley. It would be an understatement to say that Coventry were underdogs, but in true FA Cup tradition the underdogs shone through, winning the game 3-2.
Coventry's celebrations along the touchline of Wembley, led by their chief coach, Sillett, will be an enduring piece of TV footage, and like the Radford/George celebrations of 1972 never fails to get an airing each time Cup fever hits the screens.
Sillett’s efforts in guiding Coventry to their first ever major cup win was rewarded with promotion to first team manager, and two months after the Wembley final Sillett made his first major signing of his Sky-Blue managerial career. David Speedie
was signed from Chelsea for just under £800,000, and as if he did not want to disappoint, the occasion bought out a typical Sillett quote. "Coventry City have shopped at Woolworth’s for too long, from now on we're shopping at Harrods".
The following years saw Sillett manage a relatively successful Coventry side, with relegation battles seemingly a thing of the past for the Highfield Road faithful. But life was not all plain sailing, Coventry suffered famous FA Cup defeats of their own, with their defeat to Sutton United
ranking as one of the all time cup upsets in English football.
In November 1990, Sillett was given his marching orders from Highfield Road, after he indicated his intention not to renew his contract beyond that season, but it was not a goodbye to football, or indeed Coventry, as he would soon return in the near future.
His second stint as United manager was his last major involvement with football, and he later became a well known and popular part of Central TV’s weekly football coverage. Sillett has always kept his hand in with the competitive side of football however, mainly with numerous scouting duties, which has led to him having roles on the scouting team of England
Sven-Göran Eriksson
.
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
player and manager.
His father Charlie Sillett
Charlie Sillett
Charles Thomas "Charlie" Sillett was an English professional footballer who played as a full back for Southampton in the 1930s...
was a footballer (playing at full-back) with Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
between 1931 and 1938. He is the younger brother of Peter Sillett
Peter Sillett
Peter Richard Tudor Sillett was an England footballer. He played for Chelsea and Southampton as a right-back, and made three appearances for England....
, also a footballer.
Sillett played for Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
, Coventry City
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
and Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
. He won the Championship
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
with Chelsea in 1955, playing alongside his brother. Between 1954 and 1956 he did his National Service in the RAMC at the Royal Herbert Hospital, Woolwich, London.
He was manager of Coventry City from 1986 until 1990. He managed the Sky Blues to their finest moment on 16 May 1987, when they unexpectedly beat Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
3-2 in the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
final at Wembley
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
. It was the club's first appearance in an FA Cup final.
John is a larger than life character, well known in the footballing world. He played a large part in the history of both Hereford United
Hereford United F.C.
Hereford United Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. Founded in 1924, they are competing in Football League Two in the 2011–12 season. Hereford have played at Edgar Street for their entire history and are nicknamed 'The Whites' or 'The Lilywhites',...
and Coventry City, helping both teams to historic wins.
Playing career
Sillett's playing days saw him and his elder-brother PeterPeter Sillett
Peter Richard Tudor Sillett was an England footballer. He played for Chelsea and Southampton as a right-back, and made three appearances for England....
, follow in his father's footsteps, and sign for their hometown side, Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
, although John never played for the first team. After their brief spells with the south coast team, they both moved on to Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
as teenagers, where John would enjoy the highlight of his playing career, winning the Championship title in 1955.
Whilst at Stamford Bridge
Stamford Bridge (stadium)
Stamford Bridge is a football stadium in Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, West London, and is the home of Chelsea Football Club. The stadium is located within the Moore Park Estate also known as Walham Green and is often referred to as simply The Bridge...
, Sillett played over 100 games but scored just the single goal. Sillett finally departed Chelsea after the arrival of Tommy Docherty
Tommy Docherty
Thomas Henderson "Tommy" Docherty , commonly known as "The Doc", is a Scottish former footballer and football manager.-Playing career:...
, deciding to move on to Coventry City
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
in June 1962 who were at the time being managed by Jimmy Hill
Jimmy Hill
James William Thomas "Jimmy" Hill OBE is an English association football personality. His career has taken in virtually every role in football, including player, union leader, coach, manager, director, chairman, television executive, presenter, analyst and match official.-Early life:Hill was born...
.
During his spell at Highfield Road, Sillett played his part in winning the Third Division
Football League Third Division
The Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
title in 1963-64, but his playing days were limited after suffering a back problem.
In July 1966 Sillett joined Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
, where he would eventually end his playing career.
Hereford United
After retirement John stayed with football and moved into coaching. Whilst a member of Bristol City's coaching staff, John applied for the vacant manager’s job at newly promoted Hereford United, and in June 1973, John took over from United’s outgoing, giantkilling-manager, Colin AddisonColin Addison
Colin Addison is an English former professional footballer and manager.Addison has managed a wide variety of clubs in the UK, as well as in countries such as Spain, South Africa, Kuwait and Qatar. Notably he was the player-manager of Hereford United during their famous 1971-72 FA Cup run, which...
.
Sillett’s first spell at Edgar Street started off brightly. During his first season he managed to guide his team into a respectable mid-table position, a vast improvement on the clubs 18th position the year previously.
It was the following season however, in 1975-76, that Sillett’s managerial skills really shone through. Helped by the inspirational signing of Dixie McNeil
Dixie McNeil
Dixie McNeil is a former English footballer and manager, who played as a striker.As a schoolboy, McNeil signed for his local club Leicester City F.C. after playing for local club Holwell Works. However he did not fit into the First Division side's plans and was released. He made his football...
, Sillett soon guided Hereford to the Third Division title.
Promotion to Division 2 still remains as United’s highest achievement, and it happened during a glorious spell for the Bulls. Just four years previously, United had enjoyed their epic FA Cup victory over Newcastle United, and now the new breed of players and staff at Edgar Street had added further silverware to the club's trophy cabinet.
The glory years weren’t set to last for Sillett though, as he became the first manager in history to see his side promoted from Division Three into Division Two, and suffer relegation back to where they came from the following season (1976–77). United had won just eight Division Two matches all season, finishing rock bottom in 22nd place.
Sillett managed to hold on to the managerial reins despite the club's relegation from Division Two, but not for long, in February, mid-way through the 1977-78 season, Sillett resigned from his post at Edgar Street. Tony Ford was introduced as the club's caretaker manager, but he failed to put a halt to United’s decline, and eventually saw them relegated for the second successive season, dropping back down into Division Four.
Coventry City
After Sillett’s departure from Edgar Street his career went quiet, but he ended up back at the Highfield Road in 1983 after Bobby GouldBobby Gould
Robert Anthony "Bobby" Gould is an English former footballer and manager.-Playing career:Born in Coventry, Gould started his career at Coventry City, making his debut for the club whilst still an apprentice at the age of 16. He did not sign professional until June 1964...
- himself an ex-Hereford manager - invited ‘Snozz’ to join him on the coaching staff at Coventry. Sillett’s first spell at Coventry on the coaching side was brief though, with him lasting just a single year alongside Gould, before leaving due to a poor period of form.
Sillett wasn't away from the Sky Blues for long however, with Don Mackay
Don Mackay
Donald Mackay is a Scottish former professional football player and manager.-As player:He was a goalkeeper and played for Forfar Athletic and made 104 appearances. He was then signed for Dundee United by Jerry Kerr, for whom he made 170 appearances...
calling him back two years later in 1985. This time it was Mackay's time that was limited and when Mackay departed in 1986 John Sillett was appointed chief coach alongside George Curtis.
It was under this regime that Coventry flourished after years of under-achievement, and with a side built under both the Gould and Mackay periods, the fresh input of Curtis and Sillett, and an improved style of football under their leadership led to some good times knocking on Coventry’s door.
On 16 May 1987 Coventry managed to secure a cup final showdown against Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley. It would be an understatement to say that Coventry were underdogs, but in true FA Cup tradition the underdogs shone through, winning the game 3-2.
Coventry's celebrations along the touchline of Wembley, led by their chief coach, Sillett, will be an enduring piece of TV footage, and like the Radford/George celebrations of 1972 never fails to get an airing each time Cup fever hits the screens.
Sillett’s efforts in guiding Coventry to their first ever major cup win was rewarded with promotion to first team manager, and two months after the Wembley final Sillett made his first major signing of his Sky-Blue managerial career. David Speedie
David Speedie
David Robert Speedie is a retired Scottish footballer who played for several clubs in England during the 1980s and 1990s, most notably Chelsea, Coventry City, Liverpool and Blackburn Rovers. He accumulated more than 500 football league appearances and scored almost 150 goals in a 14 year...
was signed from Chelsea for just under £800,000, and as if he did not want to disappoint, the occasion bought out a typical Sillett quote. "Coventry City have shopped at Woolworth’s for too long, from now on we're shopping at Harrods".
The following years saw Sillett manage a relatively successful Coventry side, with relegation battles seemingly a thing of the past for the Highfield Road faithful. But life was not all plain sailing, Coventry suffered famous FA Cup defeats of their own, with their defeat to Sutton United
Sutton United F.C.
Sutton United Football Club is an English football club currently playing in the Conference South. They are based in Sutton, London, and play their home games at the Borough Sports Ground in Gander Green Lane....
ranking as one of the all time cup upsets in English football.
In November 1990, Sillett was given his marching orders from Highfield Road, after he indicated his intention not to renew his contract beyond that season, but it was not a goodbye to football, or indeed Coventry, as he would soon return in the near future.
Return to Hereford United
In 1991 - with the United board looking to rekindle the glory years of the early 1970s - Sillett returned to Edgar Street, but his time was brief and unsuccessful, with him leaving at the end of his first full season (1991–92) after failing to lead Hereford to anything other than their customary 17th placing in the league.His second stint as United manager was his last major involvement with football, and he later became a well known and popular part of Central TV’s weekly football coverage. Sillett has always kept his hand in with the competitive side of football however, mainly with numerous scouting duties, which has led to him having roles on the scouting team of England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
Sven-Göran Eriksson
Sven-Göran Eriksson
Sven-Göran Eriksson , in Sweden commonly referred to just by his nickname Svennis, is a Swedish ex-football manager. From October 2010 to October 2011 he managed Football League Championship side Leicester City....
.