After the Heysel Stadium disaster, English football teams were banned from European competitions.

The FA's answer was to create the Full Members' Cup, known as the Simod Cup for sponsorship.

Coventry had fallen to Norwich 2 - 1 in the previous season's competition in only the second round, so a third round draw to Wimbledon was a sure opportunity to improve.

Managing The Dons was Bobby Gould, a Sky Blues legend in his playing days.

After dispatching Wimbledon, the Sky Blues reached the semi-final of the Simod Trophy and were the bookmaker’s favourites to reach Wembley for the second season running as they faced lowly second division side Reading.

The game, at Reading’s old ground, Elm Park, ended 1-1 after 120 minutes and the Royals triumphed in a penalty shoot-out.

[ --- www.coventrytelegraph.net]