Coventry City Quiz
Free Coventry City quiz with explained answers — from the 1987 FA Cup and 34 top-flight seasons to the Robins revival. Play free in your browser.
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easy
Which manager returned to Coventry in 2017 and led the club from League Two back to the Championship with promotions in 2018 and 2020?
WhyAs a player, his 1990 FA Cup goal is often credited with saving Alex Ferguson's job. -
easy
Which manager led the 1960s 'Sky Blue Revolution', introducing the famous sky blue kit and taking Coventry from the Third Division to the top flight?
WhyHe later became one of television's most famous football pundits. -
medium
Alongside managing director George Curtis, which team boss guided Coventry to FA Cup glory in 1987?
WhyKnown affectionately to Sky Blues fans as 'Snoz'. -
medium
In 2013‑14, a dispute over the Ricoh Arena forced Coventry to play their home games at which club's ground?
WhyCoventry played at Sixfields in Northampton, about 35 miles away, before returning to the Ricoh in 2014. -
hard
In March 1995, which Coventry forward became the first visiting player in over 30 years to score a league hat-trick at Anfield?
WhyA flying Zimbabwean winger signed from Highlanders of Bulawayo. -
medium
In 1981, Highfield Road became the first ground in England to do what?
WhyA comfort-and-safety first that the Taylor Report later made compulsory across the top flight. -
medium
Coventry sold striker Callum Wilson in July 2014. Which club bought him?
WhyWilson joined Bournemouth, scored as they won the Championship in 2014-15, and later moved to Newcastle. -
hard
In September 2007 Coventry won 2‑0 at Old Trafford in the League Cup. Who scored both goals?
WhyMichael Mifsud, the Maltese striker, scored both goals in the third-round win. -
medium
Which goalkeeper holds Coventry City's all-time record for first-team appearances?
WhyA former policeman who joined from Shrewsbury Town in 1984 and played on into his 40s. -
medium
Coventry reached the FA Cup quarter-finals in 2008‑09 and lost 2‑0 at home. Who beat them?
WhyChelsea won 2-0 at the Ricoh Arena in March 2009 and went on to win the cup. -
hard
Who was Coventry's manager when they were relegated from the Championship to League One at the end of 2011‑12?
WhyAndy Thorn took over after Aidy Boothroyd was sacked in 2011, and was in charge for the 2012 relegation. -
medium
On the final day of 1996‑97, Coventry completed a famous relegation escape with a 2‑1 away win over which London club?
WhyKick-off in north London was delayed by 15 minutes before the great escape unfolded. -
medium
Coventry City began life in 1883 as Singers FC, a works team formed by employees of a local factory. What did the factory produce?
WhyDespite the famous name, this Coventry firm of Singer was all about pedal power, not needlework. -
hard
Coventry's manager left the club in February 2013, only months into the job, to take over at which club?
WhyHe went to Huddersfield Town, and came back to Coventry for a second spell in March 2017. -
medium
Who captained Coventry City and lifted the trophy when they won the 1987 FA Cup?
WhyA centre-half known as 'Killer', instantly recognisable by his wild blond mane. -
medium
Under Frank Lampard, Coventry lost a Championship play-off semi-final in May 2025. Who beat them?
WhySunderland went through on aggregate with an extra-time header from Dan Ballard in the second leg, then won promotion at Wembley. -
hard
Highfield Road's record attendance of 51,455 was set in April 1967 for a Second Division promotion showdown against which club?
WhyFellow Midlanders who joined the Sky Blues in going up to the First Division that season. -
medium
Coventry lifted the 2017 EFL Trophy at Wembley with a 2‑1 win over which club?
WhyTheir opponents in yellow come from a famous university city. -
medium
Which Coventry striker shared the 1997‑98 Premier League Golden Boot with 18 goals?
WhyHe shared the award with Michael Owen and Chris Sutton. -
hard
Coventry signed Moroccan winger Mustapha Hadji in 1999 from which Spanish club?
WhyHadji arrived from Deportivo after starring for Morocco at the 1998 World Cup. He later moved on to Aston Villa. -
medium
Which future England playmaker did Coventry sell to Norwich City in 2016?
WhyThe Coventry-born midfielder went on to star for Leicester City and Tottenham. -
medium
Which former England captain served as Coventry City's player-manager between 1990 and 1992?
WhyAn imposing centre-half remembered for playing on for England in a blood-soaked bandage. -
hard
Relegation in 2017 dropped Coventry into English football's fourth tier for the first time since which year?
WhyTheir only previous fourth-tier campaign came in Division Four's first-ever season. -
medium
Coventry's anthem, the Sky Blue Song, is sung to the tune of which piece?
WhyThink rowing, not football — a genteel public-school song given terrace lyrics in the 1960s. -
medium
Coventry won League One in 2019‑20. Where did they play their home games that season?
WhyThey shared St Andrew's with Birmingham City while they were away from the Ricoh Arena. -
hard
Coventry's only European campaign came in the 1970‑71 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. Which club knocked them out?
WhyGerd Müller's goals did the damage in a 6-1 away-leg defeat. -
medium
From which club did Coventry sign striker Cyrille Regis in 1984?
WhyHe had starred there as one of the celebrated 'Three Degrees'. -
medium
Coventry won promotion from League Two in 2018 by beating which club 3‑1 in the play-off final?
WhyTheir opponents were a Devon side managed by Paul Tisdale. -
medium
Who was Coventry's manager when the club was relegated from the Premier League in 2001?
WhyThe Scot had stepped up from player to boss in November 1996. -
medium
Whose own goal in extra time won the 1987 FA Cup final for Coventry?
WhyThe defender had scored at the right end earlier in the game, then deflected Lloyd McGrath's cross into his own net. -
easy
Gary McAllister left Coventry on a free transfer in summer 2000. Which club did he join?
WhyMcAllister joined Liverpool and won a cup treble with them in 2000-01. He came back to Coventry as player-manager in 2002. -
easy
Which club beat Coventry on penalties in the 2023 Championship play-off final at Wembley?
WhyThe Hatters completed their rise from non-league to the Premier League. -
easy
Whose spectacular diving header levelled the 1987 FA Cup final at 2‑2?
WhyHe had also scored the winner at Old Trafford earlier in that cup run. -
easy
Coventry's famous unbroken run in English football's top flight, which began in 1967, lasted how many consecutive seasons?
WhyThe run survived into the new millennium, only ending in the Premier League era. -
easy
Coventry won the 1987 FA Cup final 3‑2 after extra time against which club?
WhyGlenn Hoddle and Ossie Ardiles were on the losing side at Wembley. -
easy
Which Italian club signed Robbie Keane from Coventry City in the summer of 2000?
WhyHe swapped sky blue for black and blue stripes at the San Siro. -
easy
In the 2024 FA Cup semi-final, Coventry fought back from 3‑0 down to 3‑3 against which club before losing the penalty shoot-out?
WhyA late Victor Torp 'winner' was disallowed against the eventual cup winners. -
easy
In 2023, Coventry sold Sweden striker Viktor Gyökeres for a club-record fee to which European club?
WhyHe joined Rúben Amorim's side in the Portuguese capital. -
easy
Which animal, taken from the city's coat of arms, features on Coventry City's crest?
WhyIt carries a castle on its back.
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Coventry City in the record books
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About Coventry City
Coventry City began life in 1883 as Singers FC, a works team formed by employees of a local bicycle factory, and few English clubs wear their identity so distinctively: an elephant on the crest, borrowed from the city's coat of arms, and an anthem sung to the tune of the Eton Boating Song. Highfield Road was home for the glory years — in 1981 it became the first ground in England to go all-seater — and this free Coventry City quiz covers the lot: Jimmy Hill's Sky Blue Revolution, thirty-four unbroken seasons in the top flight, the 1987 FA Cup and the fall and rise that followed. If you can sing the Sky Blue Song from memory, this is your quiz.
The golden thread runs through the 1960s and the 1980s. Jimmy Hill's Sky Blue Revolution gave Coventry their famous sky blue kit and carried them from the Third Division to the top flight — 51,455 packed into Highfield Road in April 1967 for the promotion showdown with Wolverhampton Wanderers — and the stay that began that year lasted thirty-four consecutive seasons, taking in the club's only European campaign, a 1970-71 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup run ended in the second round by Bayern Munich. The peak came at Wembley in 1987: Keith Houchen's spectacular diving header, voted BBC Goal of the Season, levelled the FA Cup final at 2-2, John Sillett and managing director George Curtis guided the side to a 3-2 extra-time win over Tottenham Hotspur, and captain Brian Kilcline lifted the club's greatest trophy.
The questions range across transfers, managers, records and great escapes. Transfers run from Cyrille Regis arriving from West Bromwich Albion in 1984 to Robbie Keane joining Internazionale in 2000, James Maddison's sale to Norwich City and Viktor Gyökeres's club-record move to Sporting CP. Managers span Hill, Sillett, Terry Butcher's spell as player-manager, Gordon Strachan's relegation in 2001 — the end of the 34-season run — and Mark Robins, who returned in 2017, lifted the EFL Trophy at Wembley, and took Coventry from League Two back to the Championship with promotions in 2018 and 2020. Records mean Steve Ogrizovic, the goalkeeper whose service from 1984 to 2000 made him the club's all-time record appearance-maker. And the famous moments are all here: Peter Ndlovu's 1995 Anfield hat-trick — the first there by a visiting league player in over 30 years — Dion Dublin's shared 1997-98 Golden Boot, the final-day escape at Tottenham in 1997, penalties against Luton Town at Wembley in 2023 and the fightback from 3-0 down to 3-3 against Manchester United in the 2024 FA Cup semi-final. Difficulty climbs from easy openers to genuinely hard deep cuts, so casual fans and Sky Blue lifers both get a proper test.
Every question comes with a short explained answer, so a miss still teaches you something — the year Highfield Road went all-seater, or which German giants ended the club's only European adventure. Play the sample set below free in your browser, no sign-up needed. When you want the full Coventry City quiz — plus daily challenges, leaderboards and multiplayer — it's all free in your browser at balliq.app/play — or in the Ball IQ app.
Coventry City quiz answers, explained
Every question from the quiz above. Play it first; each answer stays folded until you open it.
Which manager returned to Coventry in 2017 and led the club from League Two back to the Championship with promotions in 2018 and 2020?
Show answer
Mark Robins. As a player, his 1990 FA Cup goal is often credited with saving Alex Ferguson's job.
Which manager led the 1960s 'Sky Blue Revolution', introducing the famous sky blue kit and taking Coventry from the Third Division to the top flight?
Show answer
Jimmy Hill. He later became one of television's most famous football pundits.
Alongside managing director George Curtis, which team boss guided Coventry to FA Cup glory in 1987?
Show answer
John Sillett. Known affectionately to Sky Blues fans as 'Snoz'.
In 2013‑14, a dispute over the Ricoh Arena forced Coventry to play their home games at which club's ground?
Show answer
Northampton Town. Coventry played at Sixfields in Northampton, about 35 miles away, before returning to the Ricoh in 2014.
In March 1995, which Coventry forward became the first visiting player in over 30 years to score a league hat-trick at Anfield?
Show answer
Peter Ndlovu. A flying Zimbabwean winger signed from Highlanders of Bulawayo.
In 1981, Highfield Road became the first ground in England to do what?
Show answer
Become all-seater. A comfort-and-safety first that the Taylor Report later made compulsory across the top flight.
Coventry sold striker Callum Wilson in July 2014. Which club bought him?
Show answer
AFC Bournemouth. Wilson joined Bournemouth, scored as they won the Championship in 2014-15, and later moved to Newcastle.
In September 2007 Coventry won 2‑0 at Old Trafford in the League Cup. Who scored both goals?
Show answer
Michael Mifsud. Michael Mifsud, the Maltese striker, scored both goals in the third-round win.
Which goalkeeper holds Coventry City's all-time record for first-team appearances?
Show answer
Steve Ogrizovic. A former policeman who joined from Shrewsbury Town in 1984 and played on into his 40s.
Coventry reached the FA Cup quarter-finals in 2008‑09 and lost 2‑0 at home. Who beat them?
Show answer
Chelsea. Chelsea won 2-0 at the Ricoh Arena in March 2009 and went on to win the cup.
Who was Coventry's manager when they were relegated from the Championship to League One at the end of 2011‑12?
Show answer
Andy Thorn. Andy Thorn took over after Aidy Boothroyd was sacked in 2011, and was in charge for the 2012 relegation.
On the final day of 1996‑97, Coventry completed a famous relegation escape with a 2‑1 away win over which London club?
Show answer
Tottenham Hotspur. Kick-off in north London was delayed by 15 minutes before the great escape unfolded.
Coventry City began life in 1883 as Singers FC, a works team formed by employees of a local factory. What did the factory produce?
Show answer
Bicycles. Despite the famous name, this Coventry firm of Singer was all about pedal power, not needlework.
Coventry's manager left the club in February 2013, only months into the job, to take over at which club?
Show answer
Huddersfield Town. He went to Huddersfield Town, and came back to Coventry for a second spell in March 2017.
Who captained Coventry City and lifted the trophy when they won the 1987 FA Cup?
Show answer
Brian Kilcline. A centre-half known as 'Killer', instantly recognisable by his wild blond mane.
Under Frank Lampard, Coventry lost a Championship play-off semi-final in May 2025. Who beat them?
Show answer
Sunderland. Sunderland went through on aggregate with an extra-time header from Dan Ballard in the second leg, then won promotion at Wembley.
Highfield Road's record attendance of 51,455 was set in April 1967 for a Second Division promotion showdown against which club?
Show answer
Wolverhampton Wanderers. Fellow Midlanders who joined the Sky Blues in going up to the First Division that season.
Coventry lifted the 2017 EFL Trophy at Wembley with a 2‑1 win over which club?
Show answer
Oxford United. Their opponents in yellow come from a famous university city.
Which Coventry striker shared the 1997‑98 Premier League Golden Boot with 18 goals?
Show answer
Dion Dublin. He shared the award with Michael Owen and Chris Sutton.
Coventry signed Moroccan winger Mustapha Hadji in 1999 from which Spanish club?
Show answer
Deportivo La Coruña. Hadji arrived from Deportivo after starring for Morocco at the 1998 World Cup. He later moved on to Aston Villa.
Which future England playmaker did Coventry sell to Norwich City in 2016?
Show answer
James Maddison. The Coventry-born midfielder went on to star for Leicester City and Tottenham.
Which former England captain served as Coventry City's player-manager between 1990 and 1992?
Show answer
Terry Butcher. An imposing centre-half remembered for playing on for England in a blood-soaked bandage.
Relegation in 2017 dropped Coventry into English football's fourth tier for the first time since which year?
Show answer
1959. Their only previous fourth-tier campaign came in Division Four's first-ever season.
Coventry's anthem, the Sky Blue Song, is sung to the tune of which piece?
Show answer
The Eton Boating Song. Think rowing, not football — a genteel public-school song given terrace lyrics in the 1960s.
Coventry won League One in 2019‑20. Where did they play their home games that season?
Show answer
St Andrew's. They shared St Andrew's with Birmingham City while they were away from the Ricoh Arena.
Coventry's only European campaign came in the 1970‑71 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. Which club knocked them out?
Show answer
Bayern Munich. Gerd Müller's goals did the damage in a 6-1 away-leg defeat.
From which club did Coventry sign striker Cyrille Regis in 1984?
Show answer
West Bromwich Albion. He had starred there as one of the celebrated 'Three Degrees'.
Coventry won promotion from League Two in 2018 by beating which club 3‑1 in the play-off final?
Show answer
Exeter City. Their opponents were a Devon side managed by Paul Tisdale.
Who was Coventry's manager when the club was relegated from the Premier League in 2001?
Show answer
Gordon Strachan. The Scot had stepped up from player to boss in November 1996.
Whose own goal in extra time won the 1987 FA Cup final for Coventry?
Show answer
Gary Mabbutt. The defender had scored at the right end earlier in the game, then deflected Lloyd McGrath's cross into his own net.
Gary McAllister left Coventry on a free transfer in summer 2000. Which club did he join?
Show answer
Liverpool. McAllister joined Liverpool and won a cup treble with them in 2000-01. He came back to Coventry as player-manager in 2002.
Which club beat Coventry on penalties in the 2023 Championship play-off final at Wembley?
Show answer
Luton Town. The Hatters completed their rise from non-league to the Premier League.
Whose spectacular diving header levelled the 1987 FA Cup final at 2‑2?
Show answer
Keith Houchen. He had also scored the winner at Old Trafford earlier in that cup run.
Coventry's famous unbroken run in English football's top flight, which began in 1967, lasted how many consecutive seasons?
Show answer
34. The run survived into the new millennium, only ending in the Premier League era.
Coventry won the 1987 FA Cup final 3‑2 after extra time against which club?
Show answer
Tottenham Hotspur. Glenn Hoddle and Ossie Ardiles were on the losing side at Wembley.
Which Italian club signed Robbie Keane from Coventry City in the summer of 2000?
Show answer
Internazionale. He swapped sky blue for black and blue stripes at the San Siro.
In the 2024 FA Cup semi-final, Coventry fought back from 3‑0 down to 3‑3 against which club before losing the penalty shoot-out?
Show answer
Manchester United. A late Victor Torp 'winner' was disallowed against the eventual cup winners.
In 2023, Coventry sold Sweden striker Viktor Gyökeres for a club-record fee to which European club?
Show answer
Sporting CP. He joined Rúben Amorim's side in the Portuguese capital.
Which animal, taken from the city's coat of arms, features on Coventry City's crest?
Show answer
An elephant. It carries a castle on its back.
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