Sad Members Memories: On This Day 2023 Ex Sky Blue Cédric Passed Away Age 45

It was our sad duty just over two years ago to have posted the following tribute to mark the passing of our member and former Sky Blue striker. We reproduce it here on the anniversary of his death……

“Members News: Cédric Roussel R.I.P. (06/01/1978 – 24/06/2023)

All at CCFPA were very shocked to hear reports of the sudden untimely death yesterday of our Belgian member Cédric Roussel at the tragically early age of 45.  It is reported that Cédric suffered a heart attack at a cafe in his home town of Mons and could not be revived. The Association sends its sincere condolences to all of Cédric’s family and friends, who must be devastated at their unexpected loss.

Cédric signed up to the Association at a Ricoh visit with friends to a Sky Blues’ game late in the 2014-15 season and the reception our former striker got then from fans showed how popular the Belgian was in Sky Blue land.

A £1.2m Gordon Strachan purchase in January 2000 Cedric came (initially on a season long loan) from KAA Ghent in October 1999. At Ghent he had earned a reputation the previous season as an effective young striker having previously featured in the FIFA World Youth Championship.

He made his debut on 16 October 1999 as a late sub in the Sky Blues 4–1 win over Newcastle United. In November he struck his first Sky Blue goal, a Highfield Road header against old foes, Aston Villa.

He soon formed an exciting partnership with Robbie Keane including scoring a brace at Old Trafford against Manchester United in February 2000.

The following season (2000-01)  Cedric found more of a striking struggle partly due to injury setbacks. Before leaving the Sky Blues for Molineux in February 2001 for over £1.5m Cédric had scored eleven Premier League and Cup goals in 43 appearances for CCFC.

At Wolverhampton Wanderers he proved less potent scoring two goals in 28 appearances (mostly as a sub). Cédric returned on loan to home town club RAEC Mons in 2002 and finished as joint top scorer in the Belgian Pro League. Genk then came calling in 2003 where he his rediscovered scoring touch continued and he also gained international recognition from his country.

Cedric then had an unhappy spell in Russia with Rubin Kazan (2004) quickly returning home to feature with the likes of Standard Liege and S.V. Zulte Waragem (2006). A spell in Italy followed with Serie B outfit Brescia but, frozen out of the first team, Cédric looked for opportunities elsewhere and nearly signed for Scottish Premier League club Dundee United after a trial in August 2007 instead ending up back at RAEC Mons for three years. In November 2010 Cédric joined Dutch side HSV Hoek for a season but opted to finish his career back in Belgium with nearly three seasons spent with RUS Beloil.

On his retirement from the game aged 37 in February 2015 Cedric was reported to have begun a career in real estate. When Cedric drove up from his Belgian home back to Coventry with a group of friends soon afterwards (April 2015) he clearly enjoyed his day out with us in his first ever visit to the Ricoh. He commented on the fantastic facilities at the Arena given it was then hosting third tier football. He praised the continuing warmth and generosity of  the Sky Blue Army  that he remembered from his Highfield Road days in the Premier League.

During his pre match tour round the Ricoh lounges as our ‘special guest’ (with former Sky Blue defender, and fellow CCFPA member, Brian ‘Harry’ Roberts – below right) Cedric recalled his days at CCFC. He said his time at CCFC was one of his happiest in football.

He was impressed at the warm welcome given to him by the Sky Blue players of the day as well as by ‘gaffer’  Gordon Strachan (still keeping in touch with Gordon’s son, former Sky Blue Gavin). Both Gordon and Gavin are also now CCFPA members. He also spoke of the Sky Blue heroes he played alongside and learnt from, given his relative inexperience as a striker when new to the British Premiership. We took his photo (above left) alongside a picture of former striking partner, the great Robbie Keane.”