January 15th, 1994 - Watford 5 Blues 2

PAUL Furlong cracked a hat-trick against Blues in a crazy game at the start of the Barry Fry era.

Gary Cooper and Steve Claridge were both sent-off at Vicarage Road in this Endsleigh Insurance Division One match.

It was Fry’s ninth match at the Blues’ helm after replacing Terry Cooper.

And eight of his new signings took to the field, only to be sent packing by the Hornets and Furlong who, two years later, would become Blues’ record £1.5 million signing, from Chelsea.

Blues got off to the worst possible start when Gary Porter capitalised on a bad punch by Ian Bennett, drove the ball goalwards and Liam Daish smashed it into his own net like a striker following up.

Andy Hessenthaler (31) and Furlong (39) then struck before the break.

Blues, who had lost at home to Kidderminster Harriers in the FA Cup two games earlier, went further behind when Furlong chipped Bennett from 20 yards in the 51st minute.

Cooper then chopped down Furlong in the box (56) and was sent-off; Furlong stuck away the penalty for his hat-trick.

Substitute Roger Willis headed in a free-kick for Blues in the 69th minute but there was more drama when Claridge kicked out at Mark Watson after a strong tackle and was red-carded on 72 minutes.

A minute later Steve McGavin clipped Blues’ second goal, following a smart dribble into the area, but Blues ended the game defeated, downtrodden and down on numbers.

It was part of a 15-match sequence without a win, and their tenth straight away defeat.

Fry, who altered the midfield three times in the opening 20 minutes, said: “My goalkeeper was rubbish, the back four nonexistent, the midfield couldn’t pass water and the strikers powder puff.”

Blues staged a remarkable late-season rally but were relegated on the final day because of an inferior goals scored record to Albion’s.