SWIFTS AND SINGERS

May 21st 2008, where else will you play an ALL-English Champions' League Final? MOSCOW. Sticking with tradition and formality, both English based teams had to ship across to Russia and so did their fans (att:67,000+).
The game ended after extra time and penalties at 1.30am and the trophy had still not been presented. Manchester United played Chelsea drawing 1-1 aet and winning 6-5 on pens.

In 1892, Burton Swifts were double booked on October 1st when they were due to play Crewe Alexander in a local derby Second Division match. They also had to play Singers' Factory of Coventry in a Preliminary Round FA Cup tie (only 7 ties).
The following Old Boys' sides were involved in this round: Old Etonians, Old Westminsters, Old Wykehamists (Winchester College) and Old Harrovians. Just for info!!
Singers were a fore runner of Coventry City FC. They moved the Cup tie to the previous Wednesday, at 8am kick off and they won 3-0.
In the next round (Qual Rd 1) they beat Burslem Port Vale- away 0-2.
then (QR2) away at Leek 0-3,
next QR3 away Wallsall Town Swifts 1-3
QR4 Burton Swifts v Burton Wanderers 3-2...surely the best beery local derby?
Rd 1 Preston NE 9 (nine) -2 Burton Swifts oops
Preston lost in the semi-final to Everton after a draw and Wolves won the Cup 1-0 at Fallowfield, Manchester.
Below a Football funeral card, all the rage in the day....

In 1883 Singers' Factory Gent's Club was formed by Willie Stanley, who set the team up in the local cycle factory. It eventually became Coventry City in 1898 and joined the Football League after the First World War, 1919. Jimmy Hill, the well known Fulham player and TV football pundit was manager of Coventry in 1961 and he named the team "The Sky Blues" and led them to promotion to the First Division (top) in 1967. Let's forget the FA Cup Final win v Spurs in 1987.
In 1992 they were founder members of the Premier League.