Coventry mourn ‘Snoz’ Sillett, the dancing Cup final maestro
John Sillett, who has died aged 85, will always be remembered for his exuberant celebrations after his Coventry City team had won the FA Cup in 1987.
A sizeable presence, with a nose substantial enough to earn him the soubriquet Snoz, he danced across the Wembley pitch with an infectious delight. When he was finally cornered by an interviewer, he was told he looked rather emotional. “I know,” he replied. “And I haven’t had a drink yet, that’s what worries me.”
There was no surprise he was so up-beat. His Coventry team had just beaten Tottenham 3-2 after extra time in a thrilling final. Sillett put it all down to the players he had at his disposal, the likes of Cyrille Regis, Steve Ogrizovic and Keith Houchen, whose diving header took the game into extra time.
“It’s the team spirit we have,” he said. “I believe they could climb Everest if they had a go at it.”
A full-back as a player, in 1955 Sillett was part of the only Chelsea side to win the title in the days before Roman Abramovich. While at the club, he formed a lifelong bond with another young player, Jimmy Greaves, who christened him Snoz.
Sillett moved to Coventry in 1962, then, after ending his playing career at Plymouth Argyle, took up coaching. His enthusiasm was infectious, his ability to stir players considerable. His first foray into management was with Hereford, before he was encouraged back to Highfield Road to join Jimmy Hill’s coaching staff. In April 1986, he and George Curtis, the managing director, took temporary control of the first team.
Following the 1987 final, Sillett was given sole control, leading the club to seventh in the First Division in 1989.
After he was let go in 1990, he did punditry work for television, some scouting for England and became Coventry’s life president. He also had a short spell back at Hereford.