For Coventry City fans, the 16th of May 1987 is a date etched in history. It was the day the Sky Blues defied the odds to beat Tottenham Hotspur 3-2 at Wembley, lifting the FA Cup for the first and only time.
While Keith Houchen’s diving header and Gary Mabbutt’s own goal steal the highlight reels, the victory was built on a rock-solid foundation at the back.
So, to answer the question that still comes up in pub quizzes across the UK:
The goalkeeper for Coventry City in the 1987 FA Cup Final was Steve Ogrizovic.
🧤 The Man Between the Sticks: Steve Ogrizovic
Steve Ogrizovic, affectionately known as “Oggy”, wasn’t just the goalkeeper on that day; he was a colossus. Facing a Tottenham side packed with international talent—including the lethal Clive Allen (who had scored 48 goals that season) and the creative genius of Glenn Hoddle—Ogrizovic’s presence was vital.
Standing at 6ft 5in, with his distinctive broken nose and commanding shout, Oggy owned his penalty area. Although he conceded two goals in the final (one from Allen and one from Mabbutt), his confidence under the high balls and his distribution kept Coventry in the game during the tense periods of extra time.
Match Stats:
- Fixture: Coventry City vs Tottenham Hotspur
- Date: 16th May 1987
- Venue: Wembley Stadium
- Result: 3-2 (After Extra Time)
- Goalkeeper: Steve Ogrizovic (Number 1)
🧱 More Than Just One Game
While the 1987 final was the pinnacle, Ogrizovic’s career at Highfield Road was nothing short of legendary. He wasn’t a “one-season wonder”; he was the definition of loyalty.
- Record Breaker: Ogrizovic holds the record for the most appearances in Coventry City history (601 games).
- The Survivor: He played through the club’s entire consecutive run in the top flight during the 80s and 90s, often single-handedly earning points to keep the Sky Blues in the Premier League.
- The Scorer: Unusually for a goalkeeper, he is also in the history books for scoring a goal! His massive punt downfield against Sheffield Wednesday in 1986 bounced over the opposition keeper and into the net.
Where does Oggy rank among the all-time greats? 👉 Find out here: See Steve Ogrizovic in our list of the 100 Greatest Coventry City Players
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
(Этот раздел нужен для захвата дополнительных PAA – People Also Ask – запросов в Google)
Did Steve Ogrizovic ever play for England? Despite being one of the most consistent goalkeepers in the First Division for over a decade, Steve Ogrizovic was never capped by England at the senior level. Many fans and pundits consider him one of the best keepers never to play for his country.
Who was the backup goalkeeper in 1987? The backup goalkeeper in the squad for the 1987 season was Jake Findlay. However, in those days, teams were only allowed one substitute on the bench, and it was rarely a goalkeeper. Ogrizovic played every minute of the campaign.
When did Steve Ogrizovic retire? Oggy finally hung up his gloves in 2000 at the age of 42. He didn’t leave the club, though. He transitioned into coaching and served Coventry City for over 35 years in total, retiring from his coaching role in 2019.
Final Whistle
Steve Ogrizovic is more than just the answer to a trivia question about the 1987 FA Cup Final. He is an icon of the club, a symbol of the Sky Blue spirit, and arguably the greatest goalkeeper to ever play for Coventry City.
