MY ALL TIME FAVOURITE LEICESTER CITY TEAM

 

It is going to be hard to choose two midfield players from the ones I have seen perform over the many years I have been watching Leicester City, and once again there is a lack of recent players from my list of contenders.

Andy King from today’s squad would have been a contender as I really rate him; but his lack of not competing in the top flight of English football has gone against him. His ability and vision is top class and he is still young enough to become a true Leicester legend if he chooses to stay with us. So unfortunately the contenders for the two places up for grabs come from the archives of Leicester City.

 

The first two contenders are both capable and worthy of being in the team and they played alongside each other many times during the 60’s and I used to idolise these two – Bobby Roberts and David Gibson. I can see Bobby Roberts now, with his sleeves rolled up and battling away for the cause. Bobby was a tough tackling energetic midfielder who also liked to get forward and he made 275 full appearances for City and scored 36 goals. One game in particular that stands out in my memory and typified Bobby’s fighting spirit and leadership was against a star studded Chelsea team on October 25^th 1967. City were 2-0 down and eventually drew 2-2 with both goals coming from captain Bobby Roberts, a true leader.

David Gibson oozed class and is still considered to be one of the finest ball players ever to grace a Leicester shirt. He was one of the most skilful players I have seen and playing on the left side of midfield he struck up a great understanding with winger Mike Stringfellow. Gibson left City for Aston Villa in the 70’s and he accumulated 333 full appearances for City scoring 53 goals.

Paul Ramsey was one of those versatile midfielders who were just as comfortable at full back and after helping the City reach the heights of the first division by gaining promotion; my memories of him mainly consist of him playing in an indifferent team under David Pleat. Ramsey played 308 full games for Leicester scoring 14 goals. A memory  for me with Paul was at a supporters club award night at Coalville and Paul had won player of the season, I was standing near him at one point and he asked me to hold on to his trophy while he went to the gents. One trusting City player and one star struck fox! 

Ian Wilson was a gem of a find by Jock Wallace and he typified the battling skilful qualities that we like to see at Leicester and Ian helped City gain two promotions under Wallace and Gordon Milne respectively. Ian played behind the dynamic duo of Smith and Lineker and for an unknown plucked from the Scottish highland league he quickly established himself as a foxes favourite with his displays. Ian made 309 full appearances for City scoring 19 goals.

Gary McAllister arrived at Filbert Street in a joint transfer from Motherwell alongside Ali Mauchlen. Gary established himself as a skilful midfielder and Ali was the more aggressive ball winner. McAllister went on to play 222 full games for City scoring 51 goals before moving onto Leeds Utd. Ali although a midfielder settled down at right back which is where he played most of his 270 full games for City scoring 12 goals.

Alan Birchenall MBE arrived at Leicester during the Jimmy Bloomfield era and he is still walking around the corridors of the King Power Stadium today (you can’t get rid of him!) The Birch was a cultured midfield player and notched up 176 full appearances for City scoring 7 goals, including that great goal v Leeds United which I believe the nickname ‘the claw ‘came from. Birch plied his trade at Leicester amongst the greats of Weller, Worthington, Glover etc. a worthy inclusion into the contenders list.

Another of the Bloomfield boys was Jon Sammells, he was in fact Bloomfield’s first signing. Jon made his name at Arsenal before moving to Leicester and he quickly established himself as a vital cog in the machine under Bloomfield’s reign.  Sammells first game for City was in the charity shield when Leicester beat Liverpool 1-0 at Filbert Street. Sammells played 265 games for City scoring 25 goals.

We have to jump forward now to the days of Martin O’ Neill and no less than three players who are all contenders to be included in the all-star Leicester team. Robbie Savage. Neil Lennon. Muzzy Izzet.

Robbie Savage is described as being like marmite, you either love him or hate him and I loved him at Leicester. Savage loved winding up opponents and supporters alike and his tough tackling never give up attitude endeared him to me. He could play a bit as well. Savage gained a losers medal and a winner’s medal in the League Cup while at Leicester and he played 189 full games scoring 15 goals.

Neil Lennon was also a tough tackling midfielder who could also play football and he struck up a telling partnership with Muzzy Izzet. Lennon won two league cup medals at City and one runner up medal. Neil played a total of 207 full games for City scoring 9 goals.

A main contender for a place in the line-up is Muzzy Izzet. Muzzy arrived at Leicester on loan initially and his performances soon persuaded Leicester to sign him for a fee that rose to £800,000 and it turned out to be a bargain. Izzet blossomed at Leicester after being an unknown at Chelsea and his intricate midfield style suited the more dogmatic style of Lennon and they formed a formidable midfield partnership. I could write loads about Izzet but I hope that most people know all about him! One moment that sticks in my memory (apart from a goal against Grimsby that was incredible) is when Muzzy was picked for the Turkish national team and he ran around the stadium with the Turkish flag, a great emotional moment. Muzzy also won league cup winners medals a runners up medal and a promotion while at Leicester. He played 312 full games scoring 47 goals. Muzzy can still be seen at the King Power Stadium watching the City.

Some other midfield players who I have seen play at Leicester and are worth a mention include, Ian Banks, Steve Kember, Gary Parker and Kevin Macdonald.

If I have missed any of your favourites out, please don’t hold it against me!

The two players who are taking their place in my all-time greatest Leicester team are Bobby Roberts and Muzzy Izzet. I hope you agree that they are more than worthy of their places.

The team now looks like this so far   

 

                                            SHILTON

                  WHITWORTH - WALSH - CROSS - NISH

                    WELLER - ROBERTS - IZZET - GLOVER

 

Next time I will be choosing the two strikers, until then

Leicester till I die