1995–96 Coventry City F.C. season
During the 1995–96 English football season, Coventry City competed in the FA Premier League.
Season summary
Once again, Coventry City defied the odds after a season of struggle. This time they had the determination of manager Ron Atkinson and the regular supply of goals from Dion Dublin to thank for their survival. They hit the headlines in December with a spectacular 5–0 win over defending champions Blackburn, but the defence leaked too many goals for the Sky Blues to progress beyond 16th place in the final table, surviving only on goal difference to secure a 30th successive season of top flight football. Tragedy struck the club as promising defender David Busst suffered a harrowing broken-leg injury during a clash with Denis Irwin and Brian McClair from a corner in the 1-0 defeat at Manchester United, often considered as one of the worst football injuries in history, which ultimately ended his career. He was diagnosed with MRSA later on from his injury in hospital, forcing him to premature retirement later that year.New to the side for the season were defender Paul Williams from Derby County and Brazilian midfielder Marques Isaias, followed soon after by 21-year-old Leeds United striker Noel Whelan.
Atkinson splashed out more than £15 million on new players during the close season, as he looked to build a Coventry side which was capable of matching the high placing of his old club Aston Villa, one of Coventry's deadliest rivals.
Final league table
;Results summary;Results by round
Results
Coventry City's score comes firstLegend
FA Premier League
FA Cup
Round | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Goalscorers |
R3 | 6 January 1996 | Plymouth Argyle | A | 3-1 | 17,721 | Pickering, Telfer, Salako |
R4 | 7 February 1996 | Manchester City | H | 2-2 | 18,709 | Whelan, Dublin |
R4R | 14 February 1996 | Manchester City | A | 1-2 | 22,419 | Dublin |
League Cup
Round | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Goalscorers |
R2 1st Leg | 20 September 1995 | Hull City | H | 2-0 | 8,915 | Richardson, Lamptey |
R2 2nd Leg | 4 October 1995 | Hull City | A | 1-0 | 6,929 | Lamptey |
R3 | 25 October 1995 | Tottenham Hotspur | H | 3-2 | 18,227 | Busst, Ndlovu, Salako |
R4 | 29 November 1995 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | A | 1-2 | 24,628 | Williams |