Remembering Jimmy Hill: The legendary former Coventry City manager

Thousands of Sky Blues supporters turned up at the Ricoh Arena to see the statue of Jimmy Hill unveiled Credit: Mike Egerton / EMPICS Sport

Jimmy Hill has been described as an innovator of football, but will be remembered as a legend by Coventry City fans.

Hill joined the Sky blues as manager in 1961, after retiring as a player, when the club were languishing in the old Third Division.

With the financial support of the club’s chairman, Derrick Robins, Hill gave the team a new all-blue kit and re-christened them the Sky Blues.

Hill changed the game and introduced pre-match and half-time entertainment, provided free soft drinks and snacks for children, laid on a Sky Blue train to take supporters to away fixtures, and even co-wrote the the 'Sky Blue Anthem' club song, sung to the tune of the Eton boating song.

Former player Dietmar Bruck spoke fondly of his memories of Jimmy and shared some memorable management tales that probably wouldn't be seen in today's game.

Hill's reward for his innovative ideas came with promotion to the second division in 1964, after a final day 1–0 victory over Colchester United.

Just three years later in 1967, they were promoted to the top flight as Second Division champions - the first time in the club's history.

However before Coventry City made their debut in the old fist division, Hill resigned.

We'll be live from 6pm at Coventry Cathedral for Jimmy's memorial service, so don't forget to tune in.