Coventry had established themselves into the third division by the end of the 1960 -1 961 season as they were unfortunate to have not gained promotion the previous season. The early 1960’s saw Coventry finish off their campaigns in 15th and 14th position; however it was not until the 1962 – 1963 season that Coventry really began to show them were a force. They finish off the 62 – 63 season in fourth position, as they were unfortunate not to gain promotion. They reached the quarter finals of the 1963 FA cup campaign as they suffered defeat against Manchester United in the last eight. Jimmy Hill had taken charge at the club in 1961 and he helped guide the club in to the second division at the end of the 1963 – 1964 season as they finished it off as third division champions.
Hill performed heroics at the club as they gained promotion after three years in the second division in to the top flight, a place they would remain for more than 30 years. City was crowned Second division champions at the end of the 1966 – 1967 season. They crashed out in the third round of the FA cup and league cup during the season as they suffered defeats against Newcastle United and Brighton and Hove Albion respectively. Noel Cantwell was installed as the new manager at the start of the 1967 – 1968 campaign his first two season in charge saw the sky blues come narrowly close to relegation however they established them selves in the top flight at the end oft the 1969 – 1970 season as they finished it off in sixth position.