What’s harder to believe – that Leicester City were in League One not so long ago or that they’ve since won the Premier League? You could even throw the idea of us playing them into the mix if you want. But that ain’t all that hard to believe is it? Nope – we did come up against ’em. The first time we played them was in 2008-9 FA Cup First Round – but we were well-beaten by the Foxes that day. It was at that point they were a League One side at that point, providing our memory isn’t failing us. Must’ve been something we said or did that spurred them onto Premier League glory – we reckon…
Leicester City: The Facts
King Power Stadium
Filbert Way, Leicester, LE2 7FL
First, as ever, is to find out who the Fox are the Foxes. Soz. A little potato ROFL there for you. Here’s one of those clubs with a long ol’ story to tell and a lot of detail to include. We know you’re busy folk, so we’ll pick out the highlights and let you fill in the gaps.
After starting life as Leicester Fosse in 1884, the Football League brought the Foxes into the fold 10 years later. In those early years, there was one season in a fledgling top flight (1908-9). But it went pretty badly. In ending up bottom and going straight back to Division Two, the club let in 102 goals; including the still-record 12-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest. And the bumpy road wasn’t over there.
Fosse ran into money worries at the end of World War One. And, it seems, they stopped being a thing. But the club reformed right away as the Leicester City we now know today. And the Foxes started to find their feet; spending more time in the top flight in those inter-war years. You can argue, however, that it would be the 1960s when they had their (first) heyday. In the league, being the fourth-best side in England is as good as it got.
But the cups were a different story; denied in the 1960-1 FA Cup final by Spurs’ Double winners and then going on to win the 1963-4 League Cup. They almost defended it the next year too.
Most of the time after that until the invention of football in 1992 would be spent in the top flight. But the Foxes, at first, missed the cut for the Premier League; eventually making it up in 1994. While their time in the Premiership lasted just one season to start with, there was no hanging around; Martin O’Neill taking ’em back in 1996 and establishing the club as a tough proposition. There were also two more League Cup titles in that time too.
Why do we know Leicester City?
The new century didn’t mean new fortunes for the Foxes. Or, if it did, those fortunes were bad ones. After tumbling out of the Premier League in 2002, they went straight back up – only to get relegated again. That second time was a little more permanent too. In fact, the club entered the doldrums for a bit after that; each of the next three campaigns ending up in mediocre lower-half finishes.
The fourth season after the Premier League? It was even worse. In 2008, the Foxes were relegated to League One. For the first time since they joined the Football League in 1894, the club would play their football outside the top two tiers. That’d mean starting their 2008-9 FA Cup run at the First – not Third – round stage too. And after we (eventually) got past Horsham in the Fourth Qualifying Round, our reward would be a trip to the King Power.
How to get to Leicester City – Travel Information – Distance: 80 miles
By Road
After travelling north on the M1, you’ll be wanting to exit the motorway at Junction 21 for the M69/A5460. Take the third option at the roundabout; this not only saves you travelling towards Coventry, but takes you into Leicester too. Helpful. After three miles travelling along the A5460, turn right into Upperton Road and continue across the River Soar and onto Raw Dykes Road, which curves round to the right. The stadium will be ahead of you.
Are you a fan of street parking? You might be in luck if you’re early enough – but watch out for resident schemes in the immediate area. Your options for parking also include a trip to Leicester Tigers Rugby Club at Welford Road (£10 a pop) or even the club’s own car park if you pre-book (£17).
By Rail
Station: LEICESTER
Services to: PETERBOROUGH
It’ll be a 1.5-mile walk from the station to the King Power Stadium, taking you about 30 minutes on a good day. Leave the station in a south-west direction on Station Street towards London Road, before turning left and passing the New Walk Museum and Art Gallery.
Turn left onto London Road, before a quick right for Aylestone Walk past a Toyota dealership and then left for Aylestone Road. As you come along side a Leicester College campus, turn right into Brazil Street and then left once again for Burnmoor Street. You’ll come to Bristol Street Motors on your right, where you’ll essentially be confronted by the stadium straight ahead.
