Leicester City F.C.

Leicester City
Full name Leicester City Football Club
Nickname(s) The Foxes, City, Blue Army
Founded 1884
(as Leicester Fosse)
Ground King Power Stadium, Leicester (Filbert Way)
Capacity 32,262[1]
Owner King Power International
Chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha
Manager Nigel Pearson
League Premier League
2013–14 The Championship, 1st (promoted)
Website Club home page

Leicester City Football Club /ˌlɛstər ˈsɪti/, also known as the Foxes, is an English professional football club based in Leicester at the King Power Stadium.[2] They play in the English Premier League, having been promoted as champions of the Football League Championship in 2013–14, signaling a return to the top flight of English football after a decade away.

The club was founded in 1884 as Leicester Fosse,[3] playing on a field near Fosse Road. The name Leicester City was adopted in 1919.

They moved to Filbert Street in 1891 and played there for 111 years,[4] before moving again, this time to the nearby Walkers Stadium in 2002.

Leicester City were elected to the Football League in 1894. The club's highest ever finish was second place in the top flight, in Division One in 1928–29. The club holds a joint-highest seven second tier titles (six Second Division and one Championship), as well as one League One title. They have won the League Cup three times and have been FA Cup runners-up four times, a tournament record for the most defeats in the final without having won the competition. The club has only spent one season outside the top two tiers of English football in the 2008/09 season.

History

The Leicester Fosse team of 1892

Formed in 1884 by a group of old boys of Wyggeston School as "Leicester Fosse", the club joined the Football Association in 1890.[5] Before moving to Filbert Street in 1891, the club played at five different grounds, including Victoria Park south-east of the city centre and the Belgrave Road Cricket and Bicycle Grounds.[6] The club also joined the Midland League in 1891, and was elected to Division Two of the Football League in 1894 after finishing second. Leicester's first ever Football League game was a 4–3 defeat at Grimsby Town, with a first League win the following week, against Rotherham United at Filbert Street. The same season also saw the club's largest win to date, a 13–0 victory over Notts Olympic in an FA Cup qualifying game.[3] In 1907–08 the club finished as Second Division runners-up, gaining promotion to the First Division, the highest level of English football. However, the club were relegated after a single season which included the club's record defeat, a 12–0 loss against Nottingham Forest.[3][7]

In 1919, when League football resumed after World War I, Leicester Fosse ceased trading due to financial difficulties of which little is known. The club was reformed as "Leicester City Football Club", particularly appropriate as the borough of Leicester had recently been given city status. Following the name change, the club enjoyed moderate success in the 1920s; under the management of Peter Hodge, who left in May 1926 to be replaced two months later by Willie Orr, and with record goalscorer Arthur Chandler in the side,[8] they won the Division Two title in 1924–25[9] and recorded their highest ever league finish in 1928–29 as runners-up by a single point to Sheffield Wednesday.[5] However the 1930s saw a downturn in fortunes, with the club relegated in 1934–35[10] and, after promotion in 1936–37,[11] another relegation in 1938–39 would see them finish the decade in Division Two.[3][12]

City reached the FA Cup final for the first time in their history in 1949,[3][13] losing 3–1 to Wolverhampton Wanderers. However, the club was celebrating a week later when a draw on the last day of the season ensured survival in Division Two.[14][15] Leicester won the Division Two championship in 1954,[16] with the help of Arthur Rowley, one of the club's most prolific strikers. Although they were relegated from Division One the next season, under Dave Halliday they returned in 1957,[17] with Rowley scoring a club record 44 goals in one season.[8] Leicester remained in Division One until 1969,[18] their longest period ever in the top flight.

Under the management of Matt Gillies and his assistant Bert Johnson, Leicester reached the FA Cup final on another two occasions, but lost in both 1961 and 1963.[3] As they lost to double winners Tottenham in 1961, they were England's representatives in the 1961–62 European Cup Winners' Cup. In the 1962–63 season, the club led the First Division during the winter, thanks to a sensational run of form on icy and frozen pitches the club became nicknamed the "Ice Kings" eventually placed fourth, the club's best post-war finish. Gillies guided Leicester to their first piece of silverware in 1964, when Leicester beat Stoke 4–3 on aggregate to win the League Cup for the first time.[3] Leicester also reached the League Cup final the following year, but lost 3–2 on aggregate to Chelsea. Gillies and Johnson became hugely influential on English football for their version of the "whirl" and the "switch" system which utterly upset the traditional 1–11 formations in England.[19] After a bad start to the season, Matt Gillies resigned in November 1968. His successor, Frank O'Farrell was unable to prevent relegation, but the club reached the FA Cup final in 1969 for the last time to date, losing to Manchester City 1–0.

Robbie Savage in action against Barnsley during the 1997–98 season.

In 1971, Leicester were promoted back to Division One, and won the Charity Shield for the only time.[3] Unusually, due to Division One champions Arsenal's commitments in European competition, Division Two winners Leicester were invited to play FA Cup runners up Liverpool, beating them 1–0.[3] Jimmy Bloomfield was appointed for the new season, and his team remained in the First Division for his tenure. No period since Bloomfield has seen the club remain in the top division for so long. Leicester reached the FA Cup semi-final in 1973–74.[20]

Frank McLintock, a noted player for seven years for Leicester successful period from the late Fifties to the mid Sixties, succeeded Jimmy Bloomfield in 1977. City was relegated at the end of the 1977–78 season and McLintock resigned. Jock Wallace resumed the tradition of successful Scottish managers (after Peter Hodge and Matt Gillies) by steering Leicester to the Division Two championship in 1980.[21] Unfortunately, Wallace was unable to keep Leicester in Division One, but they reached the FA Cup semi-final in 1982. Under Wallace, one of City's most famous home-grown players, Gary Lineker, emerged into the first team squad. Leicester's next manager was Gordon Milne, who achieved promotion in 1983. Lineker helped Leicester maintain their place in the First Division but was sold to Everton in 1985 and two years later Leicester were relegated, having failed to find a suitable replacement to partner Alan Smith, who was sold to Arsenal after Leicester went down.

Milne left in 1986 and was replaced in 1987 by David Pleat, who was sacked in January 1991 with Leicester in danger of relegation to the Third Division. Gordon Lee was put in charge of the club until the end of the season. Leicester won their final game of the season, which guided them clear of relegation to the third tier of the football league.[3]

Brian Little took over in 1991 and by the end of the 1991–92 season Leicester had reached the playoff final for a place in the new FA Premier League, but lost to Blackburn Rovers and a penalty from former Leicester striker Mike Newell. The club also reached the playoff final the following year, losing 4–3 to Swindon Town, having come back from 3–0 down. In 1993–94 City were promoted from the playoffs, beating Derby County 2–1 in the final.[3] Little quit as Leicester manager the following November to take charge at Aston Villa, and his successor Mark McGhee was unable to save Leicester from finishing second from bottom in the 1994–95 season. McGhee left the club unexpectedly in December 1995 whilst Leicester were top of Division One to take charge of Wolverhampton Wanderers.[22]

Captain Matt Elliott lifts the 2000 League Cup.

McGhee was replaced by Martin O'Neill.[3] Under O'Neill, Leicester qualified for the 1995–96 Division One promotion playoffs and beat Crystal Palace 2–1 with a last-gasp Steve Claridge goal securing an immediate return to the Premiership. Following promotion, Leicester established themselves in the Premiership with four successive top ten finishes. O'Neill ended Leicester's 33-year wait for a major trophy, winning the League Cup twice, in 1997 and 2000, and Leicester were runners-up in 1999. Thus the club qualified for the UEFA Cup in 1997–98 and 2000–01, the club's first European competition since 1961. In June 2000, O'Neill was lured to Celtic.

O'Neill was replaced by former England U-21 coach Peter Taylor. During this time, Leicester's most recent European appearance ended in a 3–1 defeat to Red Star Belgrade on 28 September 2000 in the 2001 UEFA Cup.[23]Leicester began well under Taylor's management, topping the Premier League for two weeks in the autumn and remaining in contention for a European place for most of the campaign, before a late season collapse dragged them down to a 13th place finish.

Taylor was sacked after a terrible start to the 2001-02 season, and his successor Dave Bassett lasted just six months before being succeeded by his assistant Micky Adams, the change of management being announced just before relegation was confirmed. Leicester won just five league games all season.

The East Stand, King Power Stadium

Leicester moved into the new 32,500-seat Walkers Stadium at the start of the 2002–03 season, ending 111 years at Filbert Street. Walkers, the Leicestershire based crisp manufacturers, acquired the naming rights for a ten-year period.[24] In October 2002, the club went into administration with debts of £30 million. Some of the reasons were the loss of TV money (ITV Digital, itself in administration, had promised money to First Division clubs for TV rights), the large wage bill, lower than expected fees for players transferred to other clubs and the £37 million cost of the new stadium.[25] Adams was banned from the transfer market for most of the season, even after the club was rescued by a takeover by a consortium led by Gary Lineker.[3] Adams guided Leicester to runners-up spot in Division One and automatic promotion back to the Premiership with more than 90 points. Leicester only lasted one season in the top flight and were relegated to the newly labelled Championship, previously known as Division One.

When Adams resigned as manager in October 2004 Craig Levein was appointed boss. This would prove to be an unsuccessful period and after 15 months in charge Levein was sacked, having failed to get the Foxes anywhere near the promotion places. Assistant manager Rob Kelly, took over as caretaker manager, and after winning three out of four games was appointed to see out the rest of the season. Kelly steered Leicester to safety and in April 2006 was given the manager's job on a permanent basis.[3]

In October 2006, ex-Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandarić was quoted as saying he was interested in buying the club, reportedly at a price of around £6 million with the current playing squad valued at roughly £4.2 million. The takeover was formally announced on 13 February 2007.[26] On 11 April 2007, Rob Kelly was sacked as manager and Nigel Worthington appointed as caretaker manager until the end of the season. Worthington saved the club from relegation, but was not offered the job on a permanent basis. On 25 May 2007 the club announced former MK Dons manager Martin Allen as their new manager with a three-year contract. Allen's relationship with Mandarić became tense and after only four games Allen left by mutual consent on 29 August 2007. On 13 September 2007, Mandarić announced Gary Megson as the new manager of the club, citing Megson's "wealth of experience" as a deciding factor in the appointment. However, Megson left on 24 October 2007 after only six weeks in charge, following an approach made for his services by Bolton Wanderers. Mandarić placed Frank Burrows and Gerry Taggart in the shared position as caretaker managers until a professional manager was appointed.

Pearson and Mandarić after winning the Football League One title.

On 22 November, Ian Holloway was appointed manager. Holloway made history when he became the first Leicester manager in over 50 years to win his first league game in charge, beating Bristol City 2–0.[27] Despite this, Leicester were relegated from the Championship at the end of the 2007–08 season after drawing 0–0 with Stoke City, marking the 2008–09 season as Leicester's first season outside the top two tiers of English football. Their fall from grace would also see Holloway leave by mutual consent after less than a season at the club, being replaced by Nigel Pearson. The club returned to the Championship at the first attempt, finishing as champions of League One after a 2–0 win at Southend United with 2 games in hand. The 2009–2010 season saw Leicester's revival under Pearson continue, as the club finished 5th and reached the Championship play-offs in their first season back in the second tier. Though after a battling performance coming from 2–0 down on aggregate, away to Cardiff City, to briefly lead 3–2, they eventually lost to a penalty shoot-out in the play-off semi-final. On Tuesday 29 June 2010, it was confirmed that Nigel Pearson had left Leicester to become the manager of Hull City because he felt that the club seemed reluctant to keep him, and that Paulo Sousa had been the club's guest at both play-off games, hinting at a possible replacement. On Wednesday 7 July 2010, Paulo Sousa was confirmed as Pearson's replacement.[28]

In August 2010, following agreement on a three-year shirt sponsorship deal with duty-free retailers the King Power Group, Mandarić sold the club to a Thai-led consortium named Asian Football Investments (AFI) fronted by King Power Group's Vichai Raksriaksorn.[29] Mandarić, an investor in AFI,[30] was retained as club chairman.[31] On 1 October 2010, after a poor start that saw Leicester bottom of the Championship with only one win out of the first 9 league games, Paulo Sousa was sacked by the club with immediate effect.[32] Two days later, Sven-Göran Eriksson, who had been approached by the club after the 6–1 loss to then bottom-of-the-table Portsmouth two weeks earlier, was appointed as his replacement, signing a two-year contract with the club.[33] On 10 February 2011, Vichai Raksriaksorn, part of the Thai-based Asia Football Investments consortium, was appointed new chairman of the club after Mandarić left in November to take over Sheffield Wednesday.[34]

Leicester were viewed as one of the favourites for promotion in the 2011–12 season, but on 24 October 2011, following an inconsistent start with the Foxes winning just 5 out of their first 13 games, Sven-Göran Eriksson left the club by mutual consent.[35] Three weeks later, on 15 November 2011, Nigel Pearson was confirmed to be returning to the club as Eriksson's successor. Pearson would go on to lead The Foxes to a 6th place finish in the 2012–2013 season, ensuring Leicester City were in the Championship play off's after a last gasp 3–2 away win at local rivals Nottingham Forest. However they would go on to lose out in the play off semi final 3–2 on aggregate to Watford after Anthony Knockaert missed a late penalty and Troy Deeney scored right at the end after a swift counterattack from a Manuel Almunia double save.[36]

In April 2014, a 2–1 win over Sheffield Wednesday, combined with losses by Queens Park Rangers and Derby County, allowed Leicester City to clinch a promotion to the Premier League after a 10-year absence.

On 22 April 2014, a 1–0 victory over Bolton Wanderers FC at the Reebok Stadium saw Leicester become the champions of the 2013-14 Football League Championship - the seventh time they had been champions of England's second tier.

Colours, crest and traditions

This shirt, worn in 1948, was the first to bear a club badge.

The club's home colours of royal blue and white have been used for the team's kits throughout most of its history.[37] The first sponsorship logo to appear on a Leicester shirt was that of Ind Coope in 1983. British snack food manufacturer Walkers Crisps held a long association with the club, sponsoring them from 1987 to 2001.

The Leicester City badge before its revision in 2009 worn from 1992.
Leicester City's badge for the 2009–10 season to commemorate 125 years as a football club.

An image of a fox was first incorporated into the club crest in 1948, as Leicestershire is known for foxes and fox hunting.[38] This is the origin of the nickname "The Foxes". The club mascot is a character called "Filbert Fox". There are also secondary characters "Vickie Vixen" and "Cousin Dennis". The current shirt badge has been used since 1992. In the 2009–10 season which was the 125th year anniversary the home kit featured no sponsor and a new central crest with "125 Years" below. The crest was slightly changed, this change included the fox in the crest to have a white area under its nose. The circles in the crest were also moved around.[39]

In another reference Leicestershire's tradition of hunting, the club adopted the 'Post Horn Gallop' in 1941, although the origin is a 19th-century coachman's tune to signal mail was arriving.[40] It was played over the PA system as the teams came out of the tunnel at all home games. However, the club since replaced it with a jazzed-up modern version, although now it is played live on pitch before the teams emerge from the tunnel.

Sponsors

Period Kit Sponsor Shirt Sponsor
1962–1964 Bukta None
1976–1979 Admiral
1979–1983 Umbro
1983–1986 Admiral Ind Coope
1986–1987 John Bull
1987–1988 Walkers
1988–1990 Scoreline
1990–1992 Bukta
1992–2000 Fox Leisure
2000–2001 Le Coq Sportif
2001–2003 LG
2003–2005 Alliance & Leicester
2005–2007 JJB
2007–2009 Jako Topps Tiles
2009–2010 Joma Jessops (rear of home shirt)

Loros (away shirt only)

2010–2012 Burrda[41] King Power
2012–Present Puma[42]

Stadium

In their early years, Leicester played at numerous grounds, but have only played at two since they joined the Football League. When first starting out they played on a field by the Fosse Road,[43] hence the original name Leicester Fosse. They moved from there to Victoria Park, and subsequently to Belgrave Road. Upon turning professional the club moved to Mill Lane.[43] After eviction from Mill Lane the club played at the County Cricket ground while seeking a new ground. The club secured the use of an area of ground by Filbert Street, and moved there in 1891.[43]

The "Double Decker" Stand at Filbert Street

Some improvements by noted football architect Archibald Leitch occurred in the Edwardian era, and in 1927 a new two tier stand was built,[43] named the Double Decker, a name it would keep till the ground's closure in 2002. The ground wasn't developed any further, apart from compulsory seating being added, till 1993 when work began on the new Carling Stand. The stand was impressive while the rest of the ground was untouched since at least the 1920s; this led manager Martin O'Neill to say he used to "lead new signings out backwards" so they only saw the Carling Stand.[44]

The club moved away from Filbert Street in 2002 to a new 32,500 all-seater stadium.[45] The stadium was originally named Filbert Way and later renamed to Walkers Stadium in a deal with food manufacturers Walkers whose brand logo can be found at various points around the outside of the stadium.[46] The first match the Walkers hosted was a friendly against Athletic Bilbao, the game was drawn 1–1 with Tiko of Bilbao being the first scorer at the stadium and Jordan Stewart being the first City player to score,[47] and the first competitive match was a 2–0 victory against Watford.[48] The stadium has since hosted an England international against Serbia and Montenegro which finished 2–1 to England, as well as internationals between Brazil and Jamaica, and Jamaica and Ghana. More recently the stadium has been used to host the Heineken Cup European Rugby semi finals for the Leicester Tigers rugby club, itself based within a mile of the Walkers Stadium.

On 19 August 2010, it emerged that the new owners King Power wanted to rename the stadium The King Power Stadium, and had plans to increase the capacity to 42,000 should Leicester secure promotion.[49] On 7 July 2011, Leicester City confirmed that the Walkers Stadium would now be known as the King Power Stadium.

The King Power Stadium has also honoured past greats of the club, by naming suites and lounges inside the stadium after the club's former players Gordon Banks, Adam Black, Arthur Chandler, Gary Lineker, Arthur Rowley, Sep Smith, Keith Weller and former manager Jimmy Bloomfield.[50]

Support

Famous supporters of the club include Engelbert Humperdinck,[51] Former City and England striker and Match of the Day presenter, Gary Lineker,[52] Football League Show and Late Kick Off presenter, Manish Bhasin,[53] Gary Newbon, Kasabian members, Tom Meighan and Serge Pizzorno,[54] singer and The X Factor winner Sam Bailey,[55] as well as actors John Leguizamo, Thomas Law and David Neilson.[56][57]

Rival clubs

Main articles: Leicester City F.C. and Nottingham Forest F.C. rivalry, Derby County F.C. and Leicester City F.C. rivalry, M69 derby

Leicester fans consider Nottingham Forest to be their primary rivals. The club's secondary rivals are Derby County with whom they both contest the East Midlands derby.[58]

Despite being based in the West Midlands, Leicester's other rivals in more recent years have been Coventry City, who are based just 24 miles away. The game between the two clubs has become known as the 'M69 derby' taking its name from the motorway connecting the two cities.[59]

European record

Season Competition Round Club 1st Leg 2nd Leg Aggregate
1961–62 European Cup Winners' Cup PR Northern Ireland Glenavon 4–1 3–1 7–2
1R Spain Atlético Madrid 1–1 0–2 1–3
1997–98 UEFA Cup 1R Spain Atlético Madrid 1–2 0–2 1–4
2000–01 UEFA Cup 1R Serbia and Montenegro Red Star Belgrade 1–1 1–3 2–4
Notes

Honours

Domestic competitions

League

Cup

Regional competitions

Managerial history

Up until Peter Hodge was hired after World War I, the club had no official manager. A nominal role of secretary/manager was employed, though the board and the selection committee took control of most team affairs. It was Hodge who instated a system at the club for the manager having complete control over player and staff recruitment, team selection and tactics. Though Hodge was originally also titled "secretary/manager" he has retrospectively been named as the club's first official "manager".[62]

Leicester have had a total of 9 permanent secretary/managers and 34 permanent managers (not including caretakers). Current manager Nigel Pearson and Peter Hodge have both had two separate spells in charge the club. Dave Bassett also had a second spell as caretaker manager after his spell as permanent manager. Listed below is Leicester's complete managerial history (permanent managers and secretary/managers only, caretakers are not included).[63]

Managers

(Note: During the 1986–87 season both Gordon Milne and Bryan Hamilton shared managerial duties with Milne assuming the title "General Manager" and Hamilton assuming the title "Team Manager")

Dates Name Notes
1919–1926 Scotland Peter Hodge Football League Second Division Champions 1924–1925
1926–1934 Scotland William Orr Football League First Division Runner-up 1928–29 – The highest league finish in the club's history
1932–1934 Scotland Peter Hodge
1934–1936 Scotland Arthur Lochhead
1936–1939 England Frank Womack Football League Second Division Champions 1936–37
1939–1945 England Tom Bromilow
1945–1946 England Tom Mather
1946–1949 Scotland Johnny Duncan FA Cup Runner-up 1949
1949–1955 England Norman Bullock Football League Second Division Champions 1953–54
1955–1958 Scotland David Halliday Football League Second Division Champions 1956–57
1958–1968 Scotland Matt Gillies Longest serving full manager. Managed the most games in the club's history. FA Cup Runner-up 1961 and 1963. Football League Cup Winner 1964 and Runner-Up 1965.
1968–1971 Republic of Ireland Frank O'Farrell FA Cup Runner-Up 1969. Football League Second Division Champions 1970–1971
1971–1977 England Jimmy Bloomfield
1977–1978 Scotland Frank McLintock
1978–1982 Scotland Jock Wallace Football League Second Division Champions 1979–80
1982–1986 England Gordon Milne Promoted to the Football League First Division 1982–83
1986–1987 England Gordon Milne and
Northern Ireland Bryan Hamilton
1987 Northern Ireland Bryan Hamilton
1987–1991 England David Pleat
1991–1994 England Brian Little Promoted to the Premier League 1993–94
1994–1995 Scotland Mark McGhee
1995–2000 Northern Ireland Martin O'Neill Promoted to the Premier League 1995–96. Football League Cup winner 1997 and 2000 and Runner-up 1999
2000–2001 England Peter Taylor
2001–2002 England Dave Bassett
2002–2004 England Micky Adams Football League First Division Runner-up 2002–03
2004–2006 Scotland Craig Levein
2006–2007 England Rob Kelly
2007 England Martin Allen
2007 England Gary Megson
2007–2008 England Ian Holloway
2008–2010 England Nigel Pearson Football League One Champions 2008–09. Greatest win ratio of any permanent manager.
2010 Portugal Paulo Sousa
2010–2011 Sweden Sven-Göran Eriksson
2011–Present England Nigel Pearson Current manager. Football League Championship Champions 2013–14.

Records & statistics

Historical league positions of Leicester City in the Football League

Graham Cross holds the record for the most Leicester appearances, with the defender playing 599 games between 1960–1976, although Adam Black holds the record for the most appearances in the league with 528 between 1920–1935.[64]

Striker Arthur Chandler is currently the club's all-time record goal scorer, netting 273 in his 12 years at the club; he also found the net in 8 consecutive matches in the 1924–25 season.[5] The most goals managed in a single season for the club is 44 by Arthur Rowley, in the 1956–57 season.[5] The fastest goal in the club's history was scored by Matty Fryatt, when he netted after just nine seconds against Preston North End in April 2006.[65]

The record transfer fee paid by Leicester City for a player was at an estimated £9 million for HNK Rijeka striker Andrej Kramarić[66] with second highest being that for Leonardo Ulloa, also a striker, from Brighton & Hove Albion.[67]

The club's record attendance is 47,298 against Tottenham Hotspur at Filbert Street, in a fifth round FA Cup clash in 1928. The highest league record at their current home, the King Power Stadium, is 32,148 for a competitive match against Newcastle United on 26 December 2003.[68] However, the highest ever attendance of 32,188, was seen at a pre-season friendly against Spanish giants Real Madrid on 30 July 2011.[69]

Leicester City are joint equal with Manchester City for having won the most English second tier titles (7).

The club has reached four FA Cup finals, yet lost them all.[5] This is the record for the most FA Cup final appearances without winning the trophy.

Leicester City are one of only two clubs (the other being Brighton and Hove Albion) to have won the Charity Shield despite never winning either the League Championship or the FA Cup.

Leicester's longest ever unbeaten run in the league was between 1 November 2008 and 7 March 2009, to which they remained unbeaten for 23 games on their way to the League One title.[70] Their longest run of consecutive victories in the league is 9, which they achieved between 21 December 2013 and 1 February 2014.

Leicester's highest ever league finish was 2nd in the Football League Division One (now the Premier League) in 1928–29. Their lowest ever league finish was 1st in Football League One in 2008–09.

League history

Since their election to the football league in 1894 Leicester have spent much of their history yo-yoing between the top two tiers in English football. Leicester have played outside the top two tiers only once in their history to date: during the 2008–09 season they played in League One, the third tier of English football, after relegation from the Championship the season prior, but were promptly promoted back as champions. Leicester have never played lower than the third tier of English football.

L1 = Level 1 of the football league system; L2 = Level 2 of the football league system; L3 = Level 3 of the football league system.

Players

First-team squad

As of 2 February 2015[71]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
1 Denmark GK Kasper Schmeichel (vice-captain)
2 Belgium DF Ritchie De Laet
3 England DF Paul Konchesky
4 England MF Danny Drinkwater
5 Jamaica DF Wes Morgan (captain)
6 England DF Matthew Upson
7 England MF Dean Hammond
8 England MF Matty James
9 England FW Jamie Vardy
10 Wales MF Andy King
11 England MF Marc Albrighton
12 England GK Ben Hamer
14 Germany DF Robert Huth (on loan from Stoke City)
15 Ghana MF Jeff Schlupp
No. Position Player
16 Wales FW Tom Lawrence
17 England DF Danny Simpson
18 England DF Liam Moore
19 Argentina MF Esteban Cambiasso
21 Ivory Coast DF Zoumana Bakayogo
23 Argentina FW Leonardo Ulloa
24 France MF Anthony Knockaert
25 Republic of Ireland GK Conrad Logan
26 Algeria MF Riyad Mahrez
27 Poland DF Marcin Wasilewski
32 Australia GK Mark Schwarzer
35 England FW David Nugent
39 New Zealand FW Chris Wood
40 Croatia MF Andrej Kramarić

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
20 England FW Tom Hopper (on loan at Scunthorpe United until 30 June 2015)
22 England FW Gary Taylor-Fletcher (on loan at Millwall until 30 June 2015)
30 England DF James Pearson (on loan at Peterborough until 30 June 2015)
33 England MF Michael Cain (on loan at Walsall until 30 June 2015)
No. Position Player
— Australia DF Callum Elder (on loan at Mansfield Town until 30 June 2015)
— Scotland FW Paul Gallagher (on loan at Preston North End until 30 June 2015)
— England FW Jacob Blyth (on loan at Burton Albion until 30 June 2015)

Academy

Past players

For a list of notable past players in searchable-table format see List of Leicester City F.C. players

For a list of all Leicester City players with a Wikipedia article see Category:Leicester City F.C. players

Club staff

As of 14 July 2013 [72][73]

Board Members & Directors
Role Person
Chairman Thailand Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha
Vice Chairman Thailand Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha
Vice Chairman China Shilai Liu
Chief Executive Republic of Ireland Susan Whelan
Executive Director Thailand Supornthip Choungrangsee
Executive Director Scotland Malcolm Stewart-Smith
Director Of Football England Jon Rudkin
Football Operations Director England Andrew Neville
Finance Director England Simon Capper
Operations Director England Kevin Barclay
First Team Management
Role Person
First Team Manager England Nigel Pearson
Assistant Manager England Craig Shakespeare
Assistant Manager England Steve Walsh
First Team Coach England Kevin Phillips
Goalkeeping Coach & First Team Coach England Mike Stowell
Development Coach (Under 21's) England Steve Beaglehole
Development Assistant Coach (Under 21's) England Nicky Eaden
Head Scout England David Mills
Medical
Role Person
Head Physiotherapist England Dave Rennie
Assistant Physiotherapist England Tom Freeman
Masseur England Paul Evans
Club Doctor England Dr Ian Patchett
Sports Science
Role Person
Performance Manager England Paul Balsom
Head of Performance Analysis England Andy Blake
First Team Performance Analysis England Peter Clarke
First Team Sports Scientist England Matt Reeves
Sports Psychologist England Ken Way
Head of Technical Scouting England Ben Wrigglesworth
Strength & Power Mentor England Alex Martin
Strength & Power Coach England Mitchell Willis
Club Nutritionist England Dan Kings
Sports Science Intern England Pete Burridge
Sports Science Intern England Tom Thorp
Sports Science Intern England Tom Joel
Academy Team Management
Role Person
Academy Director England Jon Rudkin
Lead Pro Development Coach Under 18'sEngland Trevor Peake
Lead Youth Development Coach Under 16's Spain Iñigo Idiakez
Assistant Lead Youth Development Coach England Paul Cheney
Academy Goalkeeper Coach England Justin Bowley
Academy Strength and Conditioning Coach England Luke Kelly
Head Academy Physiotherapist England Keith Burland
Assistant Academy Physiotherapist England Guy Rogers
Head of Academy Sports Science England Kevin Paxton
Academy Lead Sport Scientist England Gary Capes
Academy Lead Analyst England Matt Goodwin
Academy Sport Psychologist England Karl Steptoe
Academy Recruitment England Bill Wall
Lead Foundation Coach England Richard Keeling
Head of Education England Gareth Jennings
Children’s Officer England Dale Bradshaw
Academy Administrator England Debbie Collins
Academy Operations Co-ordinator England Gina Carrelli

Player statistics

Captains

Dates Name
1987–1992 Scotland Ally Mauchlen
1992–1993 England Steve Walsh
1993–1994 England Gary Mills
1995–1996 England Garry Parker
1996–1999 England Steve Walsh
1999–2005 Scotland Matt Elliott
2005–2006 Australia Danny Tiatto
2006–2007 Republic of Ireland Paddy McCarthy
2007–2008 England Stephen Clemence
2008–2011 England Matt Oakley
2011–2012 England Matt Mills
2012– Jamaica Wes Morgan

Player of the Year

Leicester City's Player of the Year award is voted for by the club's supporters at the end of every season.[62]

Year Winner
1987–88England Steve Walsh
1988–89England Alan Paris
1989–90England Gary Mills
1990–91England Tony James
1991–92England Gary Mills
1992–93Northern Ireland Colin Hill
1993–94England Simon Grayson
1994–95England Kevin Poole
1995–96England Garry Parker
1996–97England Simon Grayson
1997–98Scotland Matt Elliott
1998–99England Tony Cottee
1999–2000Northern Ireland Gerry Taggart
2000–01Wales Robbie Savage
  
Year Winner
2001–02Wales Robbie Savage
2002–03Scotland Paul Dickov
2003–04England Les Ferdinand
2004–05Australia Danny Tiatto
2005–06Iceland Joey Guðjónsson
2006–07Canada Iain Hume
2007–08England Richard Stearman
2008–09Scotland Steve Howard
2009–10England Jack Hobbs
2010–11England Richie Wellens
2011–12Denmark Kasper Schmeichel
2012–13Jamaica Wes Morgan
2013–14England Danny Drinkwater

English Hall of Fame members

The following have played for Leicester and have been inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame:

Football League 100 Legends

The Football League 100 Legends is a list of "100 legendary football players" produced by The Football League in 1998, to celebrate the 100th season of League football. It also included Premier League players, and the following former Leicester City players were included:

World Cup players

The following players have been selected by their country in the World Cup Finals, while playing for Leicester.

Players with over 300 appearances for Leicester

Includes competitive appearances only. Current players in bold.[62][64]

     

Players with over 50 goals for Leicester

Includes competitive appearances only. Current players in bold.[62][74][75]

     

Personnel honours & awards

European Footballer of the Year nominee

The following players have been nominated for the Ballon d'Or award for European footballer of the year (World footballer of the year since 1995) while playing for Leicester:

English Golden Boot

The following players have won the English Golden Boot for being the country's top goalscorer, while at Leicester (Note: This applies only to players playing in the top tier of English football):

English Second Division Golden Boot

The following players have won the golden boot for being the top goalscorer in the second tier of English football while at Leicester:[77]

Football League Awards Player of the Year

The following players have been named the best player in their division in the Football League Awards while at Leicester:

LMA Manager of the Year

The following managers have been named the LMA Manager of the Year in their division while at Leicester:

PFA Team of the Year

The following players have been named the PFA Team of the Year while at Leicester:

References

  1. ↑ "2013/14 Championship Guide". Leicester City Football Club. 24 June 2013. Retrieved 11 February 2008.
  2. ↑ "Walkers Stadium". The Stadium Guide website. The Stadium Guide. 2004. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 "The History of Leicester City Football Club". Leicester City Official Website. Archived from the original on 21 June 2009. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
  4. ↑ "A History of Filbert Street". Filbertstreet.net. Retrieved 3 September 2011.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Sewell, Albert (1974). Observers Book of Association Football. London, England: Frederick Warne & co. p. 58. ISBN 978-0-7232-1536-3.
  6. ↑ "Short sporting lifetime". Leicester Mercury. 1 February 2010. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
  7. ↑ "Final 1908/1909 English Division 1 (old) Table". Football DataCo Limited. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "All Time Leicester Records & Achievements". Soccerbase.com. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
  9. ↑ "Leicester City 1924–1925 : English Division Two (old) Table". Statto.com. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
  10. ↑ "Leicester City 1934–1935 : English Division Two (old) Table". Statto.com. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
  11. ↑ "Leicester City 1936–1937 : English Division Two (old) Table". Statto.com. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
  12. ↑ "Leicester City 1938–1939 : English Division Two (old) Table". Statto.com. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
  13. ↑ "Socerbase.com FA Cup 1949". Soccerbase.com. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
  14. ↑ "Leicester City 1948–1949 : Results". Statto.com. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
  15. ↑ "Leicester City 1948–1949 : English Division Two (old) Table". Statto.com. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
  16. ↑ "Leicester City 1953–1954 : English Division Two (old) Table". Statto.com. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
  17. ↑ Dave Halliday career profile
  18. ↑ "Leicester City drops into second division". Leader-Post (Regina). Reuters. 20 May 1969. p. 21. Retrieved 2 January 2013.
  19. ↑ Bagchi, Rob (6 October 2011). "The forgotten story of ... Leicester City: Ice Kings". London: www.theguardian.com. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
  20. ↑ "Liverpool in 5th Cup Final". The Age. 5 April 1975. p. 26. Retrieved 16 September 2009.
  21. ↑ "Liverpool finally get something". New Straights Times. 8 May 1980. p. 30. Retrieved 17 September 2009.
  22. ↑ "McGhee the new man at Molineux". The Independent (London). 14 December 1995. Retrieved 16 September 2009.
  23. ↑ Red Star end Leicester dreams, BBC Sport 2000-09-28. Retrieved on 27 September 2007.
  24. ↑ "Statement by the Foxes Trust on an unofficial forum". Talkingballs.co.uk. 24 November 2004. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
  25. ↑ "Leicester City put into administration". BBC News. 22 October 2002.
  26. ↑ "Mandarić seals Leicester takeover". BBC Sport. 13 February 2007. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
  27. ↑ Nickless, Graham (26 November 2007). "Bristol City 0 Leicester City 2: 'Hollywood' Holloway makes successful start". The Independent (London). Retrieved 16 September 2009.
  28. ↑ "Sousa confirmed as new Leicester boss". BBC Sport. 7 July 2010. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
  29. ↑ "Thai consortium eyes deal to buy Leicester for £39m". BBC Sport. 5 August 2010. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
  30. ↑ "Thai group buys Leicester City". AFP. 12 August 2010. Retrieved 12 August 2010.
  31. ↑ "Thai-based consortium seal Leicester City deal". BBC Sport. 12 August 2010. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
  32. ↑ "Leicester sack Paulo Sousa". BBC Sport. 1 October 2010. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
  33. ↑ "Sven Goran Eriksson returns to English football as new Leicester City boss on two-year contract". London: The Sun. 3 October 2010. Retrieved 3 October 2010.
  34. ↑ "Vichai Raksriaksorn named Leicester City chairman". BBC Sport. 10 February 2011. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
  35. ↑ "Sven-Goran Eriksson leaves his role as Leicester boss". BBC Sport. 24 October 2011. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
  36. ↑ "Leicester City appoint Hull City's Nigel Pearson as boss". BBC Sport. November 15, 2011. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
  37. ↑ "Leicester City". Historical Football Kits. Retrieved 17 September 2009.
  38. ↑ Hutchinson, John (18 July 2012). "City Shirts – A Potted History". LCFC.com. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
  39. ↑ "Leicester City unveil new home kit". Leicester Mercury. 25 April 2009. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
  40. ↑ Official History DVD, 00:32:00
  41. ↑ "Burrda Announced As Official Kit Supplier". LCFC.com. 14 July 2010. Archived from the original on 15 July 2010. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
  42. ↑ "LCFC & PUMA Unveil 13/14 Home Kit". LCFC.com. 6 July 2013. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
  43. ↑ 43.0 43.1 43.2 43.3 Inglis, Simon (1987). The Football Grounds of Great Britain (2nd ed.). London: Collins Willow. p. 136. ISBN 0-00-218249-1.
  44. ↑ "Author notes on ''Farewell to Filbert Street''". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 3 September 2011.
  45. ↑ "Lineker unveils new Foxes home". BBC Sport. 23 July 2002. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
  46. ↑ "Fans force Foxes stadium change". The Guardian (London). 10 April 2002. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
  47. ↑ "Empate del Athletic Bilbao". El Dia (in Spanish). 5 August 2002. Retrieved 19 September 2009.
  48. ↑ Leach, Conrad (11 August 2002). "Leicester make a tidy profit from Deane double". The Independent (London). Retrieved 31 October 2013.
  49. ↑ "Leicester City's Walkers Stadium could be renamed and increased in size". Leicester Mercury. 19 August 2010. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
  50. ↑ "King Power Stadium – Function Suites" (PDF). Leicester City Football Club Conference & Events – Room Plans. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
  51. ↑ Allen, Justin (17 March 2012). "Leicester City backed by Engelbert Humperdinck to beat Chelsea in FA Cup". The Sun. Retrieved 19 December 2013.
  52. ↑ Mercury, Leicester (18 October 2012). "Former Leicester City striker Gary Lineker backs Foxes for promotion". Leicester Mercury. Retrieved 19 December 2013.
  53. ↑ This is Nottingham (18 January 2010). "manish bhasin". Nottingham Post. Retrieved 19 December 2013.
  54. ↑ 24 April 2005 (24 April 2005). "Kasabian: Sing When You're Winning". FourFourTwo. Retrieved 19 December 2013.
  55. ↑ McNally, Kelby. "Sam Bailey performs at Leicester City stadium as she takes the lead for xmas number one". Daily Express. Retrieved 19 December 2013.
  56. ↑ "Famous Fan: Tom Law". The Football League. Retrieved 19 December 2013.
  57. ↑ "The David Neilson Interview". Corrie.net. Retrieved 19 December 2013.
  58. ↑ "Club Rivalries Uncovered" (PDF). Football Fans Census. December 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 October 2013. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
  59. ↑ Sinclair, John (17 February 2007). "Leicester v Coventry". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). Retrieved 17 June 2009.
  60. ↑ "Leicester City Honours". www.lcfc.com. 23 September 2009. Archived from the original on 22 July 2012. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
  61. ↑ Chalk, Gary; Holley, Duncan (1987). Saints – A complete record. Breedon Books. pp. 104–105. ISBN 978-0-907969-22-8.
  62. ↑ 62.0 62.1 62.2 62.3 Dave Smith & Paul Taylor (2010). Of Fossils and Foxes. ISBN 1-905411-94-4.
  63. ↑ "Past Managers". LCFC.com. 20 June 2008. Archived from the original on 18 February 2012. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
  64. ↑ 64.0 64.1 "Most Appearances". Leicester City F.C. 23 September 2009. Archived from the original on 22 July 2012. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
  65. ↑ "Miscellaneous Records". Leicester City F.C. 30 May 2008. Archived from the original on 30 March 2009. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
  66. ↑ "Andrej Kramaric: Leicester sign striker for club record £9m". BBC Sport. 16 January 2015. Retrieved 17 January 2015.
  67. ↑ Warzynski, Peter (January 6, 2014). "Andrej Kramaric transfer: Will he be Leicester City's most expensive player?". Leicester Mercury. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  68. ↑ "Highest Attendances". Leicester City F.C. 23 September 2009. Archived from the original on 22 July 2012. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
  69. ↑ "Record crowd watch Leicester City play Real Madrid". BBC. 1 August 2011. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
  70. ↑ "No escape act this time, City!". Leicester Mercury. 12 March 2009. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
  71. ↑ "Player Profiles". lcfc.com. 28 August 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  72. ↑ Leicester City F.C. "Academy Staff". Retrieved 14 July 2013.
  73. ↑ Leicester City F.C. "Coaching Staff". Retrieved 14 July 2013.
  74. ↑ Leading Goalscorers LCFC.com, retrieved 1 Octobrt 2011
  75. ↑ A list of players foxeshistory.co.uk, retrieved 4 April 2013
  76. ↑ European Footballer of the Year ("Ballon d'Or") 1966 rsssf.com, 22 June 2005
  77. ↑ English League Leading Goalscorers rsssf, 12 June 2009.

Further reading

  • Dave Smith and Paul Taylor, Of Fossils and Foxes: The Official Definitive History of Leicester City Football Club (2001) (ISBN 978-1-899538-21-8)
  • Dave Smith and Paul Taylor, The Foxes Alphabet: Complete Who's Who of Leicester City Football Club (1995) (ISBN 978-1-899538-06-5)
  • Leicester City FC, The Official History Of Leicester City Football Club DVD (2003) (Out of print)

External links

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