Leicester City

Leicester City Football Club is a professional football team based in Leicester, England. The club was founded in 1884 as Leicester Fosse and the club has been playing at its current home ground, the King Power Stadium, since 2002.

Leicester City has a long history, having competed in English football’s top flight on several occasions, although they are widely known for their remarkable Premier League title win in the 2015-16 season. The club is also known by its nickname, “The Foxes”. The team has a loyal fan base, and their success in recent years has attracted even more supporters to the club.

A Brief History of Leicester City Football Club

The foundation of Leicester City FC dates back to 1884 when ex-pupils of Wyggeston School established the Leicester Fosse Football Club. The name of the club was derived from the nearby Fosse Way, a significant Roman road that ran through the region. Initially, the team played in several local leagues, such as the Leicestershire Senior League and the Midland Football League. Eventually, in 1894, the Leicester Fosse FC became a member of the newly established Second Division of the Football League, which was then considered the second level of English football.

Leicester Fosse struggled in their early years in the Football League, but they gradually improved, and in 1908 the club won promotion to the First Division for the first time in their history as Second Division runners-up. The team’s success was short-lived, however, and they were relegated back to the Second Division the following season. Leicester Fosse continued to play in the Football League for many years, but financial difficulties and poor results saw the club go bankrupt in 1915.

During World War I, football activities were brought to a halt. Nevertheless, the club underwent a reformation and was named Leicester City Football Club in 1919, following the resumption of the Football League after the war. The team decided to adopt the blue and white kit that had been previously worn by Leicester Fosse. Additionally, Sidney W. Sherrard became the first chairman of the club, while Peter Hodge was appointed as the first manager. Why not read the latest Everton 24/7 news or the Wolves 24/7 football news?

First Football League Title

The 1924-25 season was a remarkable one for Leicester City FC, as they not only won their first ever league title but also broke several records along the way. Under the guidance of manager, Peter Hodge, Leicester City FC finished top of the Football League Second Division, winning 24 out of their 42 matches and accumulating 59 points in total. The team was led by legendary striker Arthur Chandler, who scored a remarkable 33 goals in 40 appearances.

In addition to Arthur Chandler’s prolific goal-scoring, the team boasted a solid defensive unit that conceded just 32 goals over the course of the season, the fewest in the league. The team’s success was not just down to their star players, however. Manager Peter Hodge implemented a tactical system that allowed his players to play with freedom and creativity, and he was also known for his ability to motivate and inspire his team.

Leicester City’s triumph in the 1924-25 season was a significant achievement for the club, as it marked their first-ever major trophy. It also established them as one of the top teams in English football and paved the way for further success in the years to come. In 1929, Leicester City football club achieved their best-ever finish in the First Division, taking second place after Sheffield Wednesday. However, the 1930s proved to be a challenging decade for the club, marked by relegation in 1935. Although the club won the Second Division title in 1937, they were relegated once again from the First Division in 1939. Learn other interesting facts about when was Man City founded. and what is the Norwich City nickname for the club?

First FA Cup Campaign and Promotion to the First Division

Leicester City FC reached the final of the FA Cup for the first time in their history in the 1948-49 season. Their journey to the FA Cup final in the 1948-49 season began with a 2-1 victory over Birmingham City in the third round. They then faced Preston North End in the fourth round and managed to secure a 2-0 win. In the fifth round, they defeated Luton Town 5-3, which set up a quarter-final clash with Portsmouth. The club defeated Brentford 2-0 in the quarter-final and Portsmouth 3-1 in the Semi-final.

Leicester City’s opponents in the final were Wolverhampton Wanderers, who had already won the FA Cup twice before, in 1893 and 1908. The match was played in front of a crowd of over 98,000 spectators at Wembley Stadium on April 30, 1949. Despite their best efforts, Leicester City lost the match 3-1 to Wolverhampton Wanderers. Why not learn more about the historical facts about Liverpool FC or what the Newcastle FC nickname is?

Matt Gillies Era and League Cup Title

The Matt Gillies era of Leicester City FC is considered to be one of the most successful periods in the club’s history. Gillies was appointed as the manager of the club in 1958 and went on to lead them to great success over the next decade. During his tenure, Gillies transformed Leicester City into a formidable force in English football. He assembled a talented team of players, including the likes of Gordon Banks, Frank McLintock, and Mike Stringfellow, who helped the club to win the 1963-64 Football League Cup, beating Stoke City 4-3 in a thrilling final.

Gillies also led Leicester City to their highest-ever finish in the First Division, securing fourth place in the 1962-63 season, behind Everton, Tottenham and Burnley. Gillies also led the team to the final of the FA Cup twice, in the 1960-61 and 1962-63 seasons. Unfortunately, Leicester City was not able to secure a victory in either final. Tottenham defeated them 2-0 in the 1960-61 FA Cup final, while Manchester United beat them 3-1 in the 1962-63 final. Have you ever wondered what is an acca bet, find out with our free football wagering guide. Find out more facts about Manchester United with our guide.

In general, Gillies’ tenure at Leicester City marked a highly successful era for the club, with the team spending 11 consecutive seasons in the top tier under his guidance. His exceptional level of expertise in tactics and professionalism played a vital role in propelling the team to unprecedented heights. Even today, Gillies’ legacy is held in high regard by fans of Leicester City. Why not learn about who the richest Premier League owners are as of May 2024?

Relegations and Promotions for Leicester City

Following Matt Gillies’ tenure at Leicester City, the club underwent several periods of highs and lows. In 1969, the club was relegated from the First Division but made a quick return to the top tier in 1971. The relegation marked the end of the team’s longest stint in the top flight, spanning twelve years. Leicester City made it to the FA Cup final once again in 1969, but unfortunately, they narrowly lost to Manchester City in the final. The latest Serie A schedule is live

After Gillies, Jimmy Bloomfield is another successful manager of Leicester City. He was appointed as the manager of the club in 1971, following their relegation from the First Division. Under his leadership, the team made an immediate return to the top flight, finishing as runners-up in the Second Division in the 1970-71 season. The team also won the FA Charity Shield for the first time in 1971 under Bloomfield’s management. The Foxes spent seven straight seasons in the top flight under his management.

The 1980s and 90s Era

The 1980s and 90s were a turbulent period for Leicester City FC. During this time, the club underwent several managerial changes, which resulted in varying degrees of success. The team struggled to maintain a consistent position in the Second and Third Divisions, with occasional appearances in the playoffs. In the late 1980s, Leicester City enjoyed a brief period of success under manager Jock Wallace. During his tenure, the team won promotion to the First Division as champions in the 1979-80 season.

Brian Little became the manager of Leicester City in the early 1990s and under his leadership, the team reached the playoffs in the 1991-92 season but lost in the final. The next season, they made it to the playoff finals again but were beaten by Swindon Town. In 1994, Little led Leicester City to promotion as play-off winners to the newly created Premier League after a 2-1 win against Derby County in the Play-off final. Ever wondered what the Brentford FC nickname was ? or what unknown facts about Norwich FC exist? find out more with our football factsheets.

Despite their promotion, Leicester City struggled to maintain a consistent position in the Premier League and frequently found themselves battling against relegation. The team underwent several managerial changes during this time; however, the club experienced a resurgence in the late 1990s under Martin O’Neill, who led them to two League Cup triumphs in 1997 and 2000. These victories marked the start of a new era for Leicester City, with the team achieving even greater success in the following years.

2015-16 Premier League Title

The 2015-16 Premier League season was a historic one for Leicester City FC, as they won their first-ever Premier League title, defying all odds and shocking the world of football. Leicester City, who had narrowly avoided relegation the previous season, were not considered serious contenders for the title. However, under the leadership of manager Claudio Ranieri, the team played with a fearless attitude and a never-say-die spirit that saw them grind out results against some of the biggest teams in the league. The Foxes won 23 out of 38 matches and scored 81 points, the team finishing 10 points clear of Arsenal, securing their first-ever Premier League title in their 132-year history.

Leicester City FC’s success during the 2015-16 Premier League season was attributed to a combination of factors. The team’s solid defence, captained by Wes Morgan, and the exceptional performances of goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel were vital. Additionally, the attacking prowess of Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy played a significant role in their success. Mahrez, who won the PFA Player of the Year award, was particularly instrumental in creating scoring opportunities for Vardy, who set a new Premier League record by scoring in 11 consecutive matches. Since winning the 2015-16 league title, the club has remained in the top tier of English football and has not been relegated. The latest MLS Schedule is now available for our readers!

First FA Cup Title

Leicester City FC won their first FA Cup title in the 2020-21 season. The final was played on May 15, 2021, at Wembley Stadium in London, where they defeated Chelsea 1-0. This was a historic moment for Leicester City, who had previously reached the FA Cup final four times but had never won the trophy. The winning goal was scored by YouriTielemans in the 63rd minute, who struck a stunning long-range shot that curled past Chelsea’s goalkeeper and into the top corner of the net. Learn about how the FA Cup prize money is awarded with the Football 24/7 guide.

Leicester City held on to their lead for the remainder of the game, thanks to some resolute defending and excellent goalkeeping by Kasper Schmeichel.

Helicopter crash

The 2018 Leicester helicopter crash was a tragic incident that occurred on October 27, 2018. The helicopter, owned by Leicester City’s chairman, VichaiSrivaddhanaprabha, crashed shortly after taking off from the King Power Stadium, the home ground of Leicester City Football Club. The helicopter had just completed its usual routine of taking off from the pitch after a Premier League game between Leicester City and West Ham United. It was carrying five people at the time, including VichaiSrivaddhanaprabha, three of his staff members, and the pilot.

Unfortunately, the helicopter crashed into a parking lot situated just outside the stadium, resulting in the death of all five people onboard. An investigation later revealed that the cause of the accident was a malfunction in the helicopter’s tail rotor, causing it to spin uncontrollably and crash. This tragedy left the football community in shock, with Leicester City fans and supporters around the world expressing their grief. VichaiSrivaddhanaprabha, who had played a crucial role in leading the club to their historic Premier League title in 2016, was a beloved figure among the fans and his untimely passing left a profound impact on everyone connected with the club. The latest horse racing news 24/7 has just been refreshed.

Leicester City Club Rivalries

Leicester City FC has a number of rival clubs, which have been shaped by historical and geographical factors. One of the most prominent rivals is Nottingham Forest, with whom Leicester City has a long-standing rivalry known as the “East Midlands Derby.” The rivalry dates back to the late 1970s and early 1980s, when both clubs were competing in the top tier of English football. It is worth noting that the two teams have played against each other 109 times, with each side securing 41 victories and 27 matches ending in a draw. The latest football24 scores are now published in real time.

Derby County is another team based in the East Midlands region and has a well-established rivalry with Leicester City. The two clubs have a history of facing each other on numerous occasions over the years. In the last 108 encounters between the two teams, Derby County emerged victorious on 46 occasions, while Leicester City won 34 times, and 28 matches ended in a draw. Nevertheless, in recent years, Leicester City has dominated the fixture, winning 8 out of the last 9 meetings between the two sides.

Interesting Facts about Leicester City FC

  • The club was founded in 1884 as Leicester Fosse Football Club. For 36 years, the team played under this name until the club’s leadership opted to change it to Leicester City FC following World War I. The objective was to modernize the club’s image and expand its appeal to a broader fan base.
  • Leicester City FC’s nickname “The Foxes” was derived from the foxes that were hunted in the Leicestershire countryside during the 18th and 19th centuries.
  • The club’s most successful period came in the 2010s when they won the English Premier League title in the 2015-2016 season, against all odds, with a team largely made up of relatively unknown players.
  • Arthur Chandler, who played for Leicester City FC between 1923 and 1935, is the club’s top scorer of all time, having netted an impressive 273 goals in 419 appearances. On the other hand, Graham Cross has the record for the most appearances for the club, having played 600 matches for the Foxes.
  • King Power International Group acquired Leicester City FC in August 2010. The Late VichaiSrivaddhanaprabha was the chairman until his death in a helicopter crash in October 2018. His son, AiyawattSrivaddhanaprabha, known as “Top,” is now the chairman of the club.
  • Filbert the Fox is the official mascot of Leicester City FC. He made his debut in 1997 and has since become an iconic figure for the club’s supporters. The character was named after Filbert Street, the club’s former stadium, which was in use from 1891 to 2002.
  • The club’s anthem is “When You’re Smiling”, a song that has been adopted by Leicester City FC fans and is sung at every home game.
  • Leicester City FC has a partnership with the VichaiSrivaddhanaprabha Foundation, a charity set up by the club’s former owner following his tragic death in a helicopter crash in 2018.

Leicester City FC Trophies and Honors

Leicester City FC has won several major trophies and honours throughout its history. The 2015-16 Premier League title was one of the major titles ever won by the club. Below are some of the notable titles of the club:

1 English Premier League –Winning the English Premier League title in the 2015-2016 season is Leicester City FC’s most remarkable achievement, as it is widely regarded as one of the biggest upsets in the history of English football, accomplished against all the odds. The latest EFL Championship transfer news is available today!

1 FA Cup – Leicester City won the FA Cup once in its history in the 2020-21 season. In the FA Cup final, they defeated Chelsea FC 1-0 at Wembley Stadium. This historic victory was celebrated by fans all over the world and is considered a major achievement for the club.

3 League Cup – the club has won the English League Cup three times, defeating Stoke City in 1964, Middlesbrough in 1997, and Tranmere Rovers in 2000. In addition to these three League Cup triumphs, the club has also been runner-up on two occasions: in 1965 and 1999.

2 FA Community Shield – the club has won the FA Community Shield twice. The first shield was won in 1971 when the club defeated Liverpool FC 1-0 in the final. The second shield was won in 2021, with a 1-0 victory over Manchester City.

The Contact Details for Leicester City Football Club are as follows:

Leicester City Football Club
King Power Stadium
Filbert Way
Leicester 
LE2 7FL

The Official Website for Leicester City FC is: https://www.lcfc.com/?lang=en

Leicester Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lcfc

Leicester Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/LCFCOfficial

Leicester City Twitter: https://twitter.com/lcfc

Leicester City Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lcfc/?hl=en

Leicester City TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lcfc?lang=en

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Zoe Ball

I have been the Editor in Chief for Football24-7.org for over a decade. I enjoy writing about the latest football and general sports news. Follow Zoe Ball on MuckRack