16 May 2012 Last updated at 14:12

Coventry City players remember 1987 FA Cup triumph

Clive Allen celebrates his goal (Getty Images)

Coventry City won their only major trophy, the FA Cup, at Wembley on Saturday 16 May 1987. The Sky Blues twice came from behind to beat Tottenham Hotspur 3-2 after extra time in the final.

Keith Houchen scores his famous goal (Getty Images)

Keith Houchen, scorer of the most memorable goal in the final, called the FA Cup the "holy grail" for any footballer. He said: "You knew after the game it was a pretty special thing but it's years later it sinks in and you start to think that was actually quite an iconic game."

Keith Houchen celebrates his goal (Getty Images)

"I think to have just been in that game anyway would have been a fantastic achievement," Houchen continued. "But to come out on the winning side and get the goals that we did and play like we did, it was a wonderful occasion."

Houchen said it is only in recent years that the players have met to celebrate their achievements and have attended a number of events to mark the current milestone. He added: "It's almost like 25 years haven't gone. You all start finding your pecking order again because all the banter begins flying about."

Houchen said the squad's drinking habits appear to have changed over the years. He said: "You walk in and they're at the bar where they always were. We were never allowed to drink pints because we used to get fined. So we always used to stand with two half pints - one in each hand."

Full-back Greg Downs, now a police officer with Norfolk Constabulary, said he is always interested in hearing what supporters have to say about the day. Downs said: "The biggest disappointment is that you're away from the furore. We were preparing for the game while people in Coventry were preparing to watch it."

Brian Kilcline lifts the FA Cup (Getty Images)

Goalkeeper Steve Ogrizovic said: "I would love to see the club achieve something again so the people that are younger, who can't remember 1987, have something to smile about." Thousands of fans lined Coventry's streets the day after the cup final to welcome home the players who paraded the trophy on an open-top bus.

Coventry's unlikely success was masterminded by the management duo of George Curtis and John Sillett. The pair have since become life presidents at the club.

Coventry & Warwickshire

Coventry City players remember 1987 FA Cup triumph

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