LOOK FORWARD - -LOOK BACK -- BURNLEY

LOOK FORWARD - LOOK BACK

BURNLEY 4^th OCTOBER 2014

　

LOOK BACK --- May 4^th 2008 was the darkest day in my time as a Leicester City supporter and without doubt the darkest day in the history of our football club as we slipped out of the championship to the depths of league one for the first time in our history.

Who would have dreamt, as we stood on the terraces at Stoke City watching Stoke celebrate promotion to the premier league; what a roller coast of a ride the next few seasons would bring, to us faithful foxes.

LOOK FORWARD --- Wind the clock forward to September 21^st 2014, and I am looking around the King Power Stadium at a full house, and our beloved football team are taking to the field of play to face the superstars of Manchester United in a premier league fixture . And as they say “ the rest is history “

Yes what a day, and what a game; It is incredible how our Football Club has risen like a phoenix from the flames, to reach the heights they achieved in beating Manchester United last Sunday. A tremendous performance from everyone, and in particular from our supporters who were definitely the twelfth man last Sunday.

Although everything we achieve is a team effort I believe special praise deserves to go to Jamie Vardy. Vardy epitomises to me everything our Football Club is about; With his never say die attitude and his constant determination to fight for a lost cause, he certainly is a fox who never quits! Take a bow Jamie Vardy.

LOOK FORWARD --- Next up at The King Power Stadium is one of our old foes from last season, Burnley. Without being disrespectful to Burnley Football Club they are probably one of the unfashionable Football Clubs, and playing Burnley doesn’t have the same mouth watering expectation as when we play Everton, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United; But Burnley are here in the premier league on merit and I expect them to provide another stern test for the Foxes.

Burnley are not awash with superstars but that doesn’t mean that they are going to be a push over and they arrive at The King Power Stadium still searching for their first victory in the premier league ( at the time of writing! )

 

Burnley have managed to gain three draws from their opening five games and suffered two defeats ( before their fixture on Sunday v West Brom away ) and they have only managed to score two goals so far.

Looking at the Burnley team and their most prolific players Danny Ings and Sam Vokes have both suffered injuries which hasn’t helped their cause, although they have recruited George Boyd from Hull to bolster their ranks. In midfield the likes of Dean Marney, Michael Kightly, David Jones and Matthew Taylor should keep our lads on their toes; and in defence Burnley can call upon ex Leicester loan player Ben Mee who should expect to start, and other stalwarts to choose from include Kieran Trip, Danny Lafferty, Michael Duff, Jason Shackell and Steven Reid. In goal Burnley can call upon Tom Heaton or Matt Gilks and also ex Leicester keeper Alex Cisak is in the ranks!

LOOK BACK --- Looking back at some Burnley stars of the past and some names spring to mind from my memory bank from many years ago. Jimmy Adamson, John Connelly, Alex Elder, Gordon Harris, Peter Noble, Brian Flynn, Ralph Coates and Frank Casper to name a few. But probably the one player that a lot of us will remember is Andy Locchead.

Locchead is one of many players that has plied their trade at both Burnley and Leicester but Locchead is the one who probably made the biggest impact when he joined Leicester from Burnley for £80,000 in October 1968. Locchead remains the last Burnley player to score 100 goals for the club. Andy Locchead was a bustling centre forward who took no prisoners but he could also play as well. He spent almost two and half years at Leicester and in that short time he notched a total of nineteen goals for City in fifty eight appearances. Lochhead scored a famous header at Liverpool in the F.A. Cup fifth round that helped City reach the Cup Final of 1969. But following relegation and the eventual rebuilding over the following months, Lochhead was transferred to Aston Villa.

Just for fun it is possible to name a decent team from players that have played for both Burnley and Leicester, so I had a go and came up with this team.

Gavin Ward: Joey Gudjonsonn, Michael Keane, Ben Mee, Frank Sinclair: Albert Cheesbrough, Neil Grewcock, Whinstone White, Ian Wilson: Andy Lochhead, Kevin Russell: subs Nathan Delfonso, David Nugent, Ade Akinbiyi, Alex Cisak

( Nugent is on the bench as he still plays for us and Michael Keane although a Burnley player has yet to play for them! )

LOOK BACK --- I have watched Burnley a few times over the years but the one game that will live in my memory more than others is the away game at Burnley last season; March 29^th 2014 and my first visit to Turf Moor. Leicester went to Burnley that day as leaders of the championship but Burnley were in second spot and breathing down our necks, and were unbeaten at home all season, so the scene was set for a memorable top of the table clash that would put the winner in a good position to win the championship.

Leicester took the initiative when former Burnley player David Nugent opened the scoring with a sublime curling shot that nestled into the corner of the net; and Chris Wood finished the job in the second half with an ecstatic strike in front of the blue army. It was a performance that day at Burnley that was fit for champions, and so it proved as City went on to clinch the title at Bolton. And the rest as they say , is history!

So a 2-0 defeat at the Palace and we are back down to earth, I am sure normal service will be resumed next Saturday at The King Power Stadium

Shout loud for the foxes

Alan ‘meashamfox’ Bennett

Leicester Till I Die

　

Look forward-Look back, Manchester United

 

 

LOOK FORWARD --- LOOK BACK

MANCHESTER UNITED 21 September 2014

What a cracking game that was against Arsenal at The King Power Stadium last home game. End to end exciting football and a performance that made all of us City supporters proud. Once again we just couldn’t do enough to gain all three points but we created the chances and the signs are encouraging. If the first three league games are the sign of more things to come this season, then bring it on

And what a tremendous result at Stoke which is no easy place to go, respect to the lads for a fantastic start to the season.

Our next home game is another mouth watering encounter, with Manchester United arriving in Leicester. United are going through a transition period having what was by their standards a poor season last term and they have stuttered again so far this season, recording a home loss to Swansea on the opening day and following that up with away draws at Sunderland and Burnley. Also suffering an embarrassing 4-0 deficit at the hands of MK Dons in the league cup.

So everything is not rosy at Old Trafford at the moment.

New manager Louis Van Gaal will want to turn things around quickly and he has been busy in the transfer window bringing in some new faces and letting some players leave.

Coming in to Old Trafford is Radamel Falcao, Daley Blind, Angel Di Maria and Marcos Rojo to add to the star names already assembled and I’m sure need no introduction. But to see world superstars just mentioned alongside Wayne Rooney, Robin Van Persie and Juan Mata and you can see that we are in for another exciting afternoon at The King Power Stadium.

 

Looking Back, Manchester United have always been crowd pullers and I have been fortunate enough to see some of the great United players in my time watching football. Bobby Charlton, Denis Law, George Best, Bill Foulkes, Harry Gregg, Nobby Stiles the list could go on and on and who could forget the night Manchester United beat Benfica 4-1at Wembley to lift the European Cup way back in 1968.

In those days United were ambassadors for English football but now they appear to be the team everyone loves to hate!

The earliest I can remember seeing United at Filbert Street was 13^th November 1965 and we were totally destroyed by United’s stars who handed us a 5-0 thrashing with goals from Herd (2) Best, Charlton and Connolly. In fact the one thing that sticks out in my mind from this game is when a black dog ran onto the pitch Gordon Banks dived to try and stop it, but the dog evaded the dive of Banks, just as United’s five goals did. United were a magical team to watch though!

United didn’t have it all their own way and I remember Saturday 23^rd November 1985 standing in the spion kop at Filbert Street and we completely tore United apart in the first half with a blistering display that was fuelled by our loan signing former United player Laurie Cunningham. Cunningham was making his debut for City that day and was instrumental in the game, and we ran out convincing 3-0 winners with two goals from Alan Smith and one from Gary McAllister. A win that helped us stay up that season. I also believe that was the last time we beat United in a league game at Leicester although we did beat them 2-0 in a league cup game in 1996.

The one game that stands out in my memory probably more than any other was my first visit to Old Trafford, Saturday 17^th May 1969, I was 18 years old and Leicester had just lost in the FA Cup final 1-0 to Manchester City and because of a fixture pile up this game was played after the Cup Final. It was the last game of the season and City had to win the game to avoid relegation and stay in the 1^st division. It was also Matt Busby’s final game as manager and the last game in a City shirt for our then record signing Allan Clarke. It was also memorable because I must have been the only Leicester supporter standing in The Stretford end that day! Went to the game with a friend who was a regular visitor to Old Trafford and so I ended up standing with him in The Stretford end, no colours on but I was wearing a Leicester pin badge!

Needless to say when City took the lead in the opening minutes with a David Nish penalty I didn’t make too much noise!

The joy was short lived for myself and the other travelling City fans as United took control of the game and stormed into a 3-1 lead with goals from Best, Law and Morgan. We weren’t disgraced though and went down fighting as Rodney Fern made the score line 3-2.

Lots of memories from clashes with United over the years and hopefully next Sundays game will be another memorable affair

Shout out loud for the FOXES

 

Alan’meashamfox’Bennett

Leicester till I die

 

 

　

LOOK FORWARD-LOOK BACK- ARSENAL

LOOK FORWARD -- LOOK BACK

 

LEICESTER CITY v ARSENAL 31 August 2014

　

We had a good start to our premiership campaign against Everton on the opening day of the season and although we never managed the win we would have liked, we had to be happy with a 2-2 draw. And taking all things into consideration I thought the day went really well and there were a lot of encouraging signs.

Our next visitors to the King Power Stadium in the premier league are Arsenal, it doesn’t get any easier! And we will have to be up for the task against probably the best footballing team in the premiership ( my thoughts anyway )

Following our difficult away game at Chelsea yesterday we now face a tough but exiting fixture at home to Arsenal next Sunday.

Arsenal have a star studded team that just oozes quality and no doubt they will be chasing honours again this season to add to the Community Shield that they won convincingly against Manchester City in August. They have also splashed the cash to add to there star studded team and in Alexis Sanchez they have acquired a deadly striker for the poultry sum of £30 million, also signed were Mathieu Debuchy ( Newcastle) Calum Chambers (Southampton ) and goalkeeper David Ospina (Nice )

Add to the mix names like Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshire, Mesut Ozil, Theo Walcott, Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud and you have one hell of a football team!

Let us hope that our boys in blue are up to the task and contribute to a memorable entertaining game.

Looking back on past fixtures with our visitors I have chosen two matches the first was on November 24^th 1994 our first season back in the premiership following our promotion under the guidance of Brian Little. It was a difficult baptism for us back in the top flight and prior to this fixture we had only managed to win two games. Little had done a brilliant job getting us promoted but the tag of relegation favourites was looking a certainty, especially after Brian Little resigned before the Arsenal game and his assistant John Gregory also leaving, fuelling speculation that Little was about to take over at Aston Villa. Allan Evans another Villa old boy took charge of the team for the Arsenal game under difficult circumstances.

I remember standing in the Spion Kop as always, and against all odds the Foxes put up a spirited fight and managed a 2-1 win. David Lowe and a David Seaman own goal were our scorers, but I remember Nicky Mohan playing a big part in the goal Seaman was credited with ( my memory though isn’t what it used to be J ).

A spirited win against all the odds and indeed Evans also left City after this game and Little and his staff did take over at Aston Villa and yes City were relegated back to league one.

The second game took place on August 27^th 1997. 1997 was a good year, it was the year I married Theresa. The year I started a new job and the year that I saw possibly the best hat trick ever scored by anyone, the incredible Dennis Bergkamp.

No one could have predicted the events that would unfold that evening but sure enough it was to be a superb game of football full of twists and turns and an incredible performance from Bergkamp who for me was one of the greatest players ever to star in the premier league.

Incredibly after 83 minutes Leicester were losing 2-0 and all seemed lost but the fighting spirit of that team under the guidance of Martin O’Neil was unquestionable, and so it proved.

Denis Bergkamp gave Arsenal the lead with a sublime strike from outside the box that nestled into the top corner of the net, and he added a second when he ran through the middle, received the ball and his goal bound effort looped into the City net, and then came those crazy last few minutes.

Emile Heskey reduced the arrears before Matt Elliot produced a good finish from the edge of the penalty area to make it 2-2 and then came Dennis Bergkamp to produce a piece of pure magic that culminated into one of the greatest goals of our time.

David Platt had spotted Bergkamp’s run and sent over a raking pass towards Bergkamp, he then killed the ball with his right boot, flicked it passed Matt Elliot with his left and placed a sublime shot into the top corner, the whole movement seemed to happen in one pure moment of genius and it is a goal that I will always remember. It was a goal fit to win any football match but it was not to be. As the Arsenal players were getting ready to celebrate a memorable win, City won a corner deep into stoppage time. Gary Parker sent the ball over, Steve Walsh headed it back across goal, Spencer Prior headed it back again, and Steve Walsh headed a dramatic equaliser 3-3

A brilliant game of football.

Over the years Arsenal have fielded so many super stars and the currant crop of players seem destined to carry on playing the Arsene Wenger style of attractive flowing football. Lets hope that the match can produce the excitement of 1997

Shout loud for the Foxes

Alan’meashamfox’Bennett

Leicester Till I Die

LOOK FORWARD-LOOK BACK

LOOK FORWARD--LOOK BACK

LEICESTER CITY v EVERTON  16th August 2014

At last the football season is upon us again and following our record breaking season in the championship last term, we now look forward to Premier League football at The King Power Stadium for the first time in 10 years. Our last Premier league game at Leicester was on May 8^th 2004 and we recorded a 3-1 home win against Portsmouth with goals from Dickov, Scowcroft and an own goal in front of 31,536 spectators.

Next week we kick off against Everton with a sell out stadium guaranteed and a wave of optimism and excitement that has carried over from our record breaking season and the encouraging results that we have obtained in our pre-season games.

Everton will be no strangers to our players as we have recently played them in Thailand in a friendly game that had the added incentive of a trophy for the winners to celebrate 25 years of King Power. It was only fitting that Leicester won the game and the trophy, but it will have no bearing on our meeting next Saturday.

Everton have a team of talented players that has been strengthened by the permanent signings of Gareth Barry and Romelu Lukaku ( who incidentally I believe is one the best strikers in the premier league) and they have also signed Bosnian world cup midfielder Muhamed Besic. Add to the mix USA goalkeeper Tim Howard England internationals Baines, Jagielka and Barkley plus Mirallas and Pienaar, an impressive array of talent to feature in our first game back in the top flight.

 

Of course it is all about Leicester on the day and we have some new additions to our team, we welcome Marc Albrighton, Matthew Upson, Ben Hamer and Leonardo Ulloa to the ranks and we wish them well at our football club.

Looking back at past results against Everton I have chosen two games that stick in my memory, one was way back on September 10^th 1977 when Everton came to Filbert Street and tore us apart with some devastating football, and one man in particular that day ran riot. Duncan McKenzie. I remember McKenzie giving us a torrid time and although we were well and truly hammered you had to admire the sheer class of the opposition and in particular McKenzie.

It has to be said that, that particular season was for me the worst football I have ever seen Leicester play ( and I include our relegation to league 1 in that statement) It was the infamous Frank Mclintock season that saw us relegated with the lowest points tally (22) the record for least wins (5) most defeats (25) most home defeats(10) It was a season that tested our endurance as Leicester supporters and I hope our supporters who can’t recall those dark days will never witness football that bad at Leicester again.

Gary Lineker was and probably still is the best striker we have ever had at Leicester and so it was sad times when we sold him to Everton in June 1985 for £800,000. Alongside Alan Smith, Lineker was deadly and I still think they were the best striker partnership I have seen at Leicester.

Following his move to Everton it was ironic that the first game of the 1985/86 season saw Everton travel to Filbert Street for the opening day fixture, complete with our Gary!

The task of filling Gary Lineker’s boots fell on Mark Bright and it was strange standing in the kop seeing Gary lining up for the opposition in what was a star studded Everton team. Southall, Stevens, Van Den Hauwe, Ratcliffe, Mountfield, Reid , Steven, Lineker, Sharp, Bracewell, Sheedy

The Leicester line up was. Andrews, Ramsey, Smith, Kelly, Osman, O’Neill, Lynex, Bright, Smith, Wilson, Banks

Everton swept into the lead with a goal from Derek Mountfield before Bobby Smith pulled one back just before the break. In the second half it was the Mark Bright show as he scored two brilliant goals to give City a 3-1 win, and he stole the headlines from our Gary!

The attendance that day was 16,932. I think there will be a few more than that inside the King Power Stadium for next Saturdays opener against Everton.

The last time Everton visited Filbert Way in the Premier League was March 20^th 2004 and the game ended 1-1 with Bent scoring for Leicester and Rooney scoring for Everton but unfortunately the day will be remembered for the tragic freak accident that saw Everton supporter Bernard Murphy lose his life on the Upperton Road. Another sad occurrence where a football supporter never returned home, R.I.P. Bernard.

There is still a plaque dedicated to Bernard’s memory situated in our garden of remembrance at the King Power Stadium

All that remains now is to bring on Saturday and The Premier League. Shout loud for the boys and enjoy

Alan’meashamfox’Bennett.

LTID

Season Review 2013/14

LEICESTER CITY SEASON REVIEW 2013/14

The final day of the 2013/14 season and after finishing a twelve hour night shift I dash home to try and get at least two hours sleep before picking my grandson Jack up and driving to Leicester for our final home game of the season and our championship winning party.

It was a bitter, sweet day for me as my brother Roy who has been by my side for many years has to miss out because he’s not well, but it was fitting that Jack was with me, as he was with me at Stoke on that horrible final day of the season on May 4^th 2008 when we were relegated to league 1, How far we have come since that dark day!

It was a carnival atmosphere outside the stadium and even more so inside and what an awesome sight to see an almost capacity crowd waving blue flags and creating a crescendo of noise welcoming the team to our own theatre of dreams.

Unfortunately it wasn’t the best game of football, but it was all about the occasion and the day.

You could have been forgiven for not realising that it was also a massive day for Doncaster Rovers who had to win to guarantee staying in the championship, or hope that they could equal or better Birmingham’s result at Bolton.

All appeared to be going to plan as news of Birmingham losing at Bolton filtered through and Donny fans were having a party. But when Rihad Mahrez produced a piece of magic that resulted in Leicester getting a penalty that was despatched by David Nugent, the atmosphere changed a little!. Even Leicester supporters were singing let them score hoping to secure Doncaster’s championship place, but alas as the day unfolded Doncaster were relegated and Leicester had their party.

It all seems so log ago since almost twelve months to the day on May 4^th 2013 when we were winning at Nottingham Forest to secure our play off place and then a few days later experiencing the heart ache of losing in dramatic and bizarre fashion at Watford. And now twelve months later we hail our team as Champions of the Championship and premier league football now awaits.

The season started of well with a 2-1 away win at Middlesbrough and we could look forward to our first home game of the season against Leeds with optimism, but an uninspiring 0-0 draw brought us back to earth and I remember saying to my brother that the most I expect this season is to finish in the top half of the table. No one could really predict what was to follow and how we took the Championship by the scruff of the neck and gave it a damn good hiding, breaking numerous records along the way, scintillating stuff.

Looking back over this record breaking season I will just choose some of my highlights along the way.

For me every game is special, but for Liam Moore on September 14^th scoring his first goal for his club v Wigan was extra special. And just seeing the look on his face as he ran towards our supporters in L1 was priceless, and even more so getting tangled up with the advertising boards, Liam Moore he’s one of our own!

My first away game of the season was the away trip to Watford on November 2^nd and to see us exorcise the demons of last season by thrashing them 3-0 was awesome, and seeing Knockaert score a divine goal put the icing on the cake.

The away win at QPR was also a magic day and what an important win, winning 1-0 with a fine Jamie Vardy goal, we even had squirrel gate! Watching David Nugent chase the squirrel off the pitch was hilarious.

Following the 1-0 win at QPR we never really took our foot of the gas and continued to take the championship by storm, and did it in some style culminating in away wins at Burnley to end their title aspirations, and the win at Bolton that sealed our fate as champions. And who will forget the stunning strike from Lloyd Dyer that settled the game.

Loads of memories along the way especially away from home and meeting old and some new friends from social media sites, the power of the internet is awesome!

A superb and unbelievable record breaking season that culminated in that final game of the season against Doncaster Rovers who probably brought along the best away support of the season, loud, proud and sportsmanlike, even in the event of their relegation. A credit to football.

As we saluted our team and captain Wes Morgan holding aloft the Championship trophy we have to remember that without our illustrious owners Vichai and Aiyawatt none of this would have been possible and what an inspired move getting Nigel Pearson and his team back at Leicester, the future looks bright with them at the helm, 

As I looked across at the spion kop last Saturday I could picture the old kop at Filbert Street with the double decker stand sitting proudly above it and I am sure I could see my Dad, bless him, smiling down at me, it is times like this that I am so glad and proud that my Dad took me to my first game over 50 years ago. Leicester Till I Die

CHAMPIONS

I would just like to say a final word for two supporters who went to the King Power Stadium this season and never made it home R.I.P. City supporter Roger Evans and R.I.P. Doncaster supporter Ray Dunning.

Alan’meashamfox’Bennett

Leicester till I Die

　

LEICESTER CITY SEASON REVIEW 2012/13

 LEICESTER CITY SEASON REVIEW 2012/13

Following another long summer without watching football although I did get to see some of the Euro 2012 while on holiday in Wales, and once again England bowing out of a major tournament by failing to win a penalty shoot-out.  Something we all know about at Leicester! It was with great excitement as I headed home from my third Welsh break of the summer in Cardigan Bay (I love Wales!)Looking forward to the new football season, and wondering what was in store for us at The King Power Stadium this coming season.

It was with great optimism that we went into our opening league game at home to Peterborough and a 2-0 win set us off nicely and all was good with the world as me and our kid walked back to the car thinking that this could be the season we put in a strong challenge for promotion to the premier league.

We had the new look Wes Morgan, new arrivals Anthony Knockaert, Jamie Vardy, Richard De laet, Matty James and young Liam Moore who looks a great prospect, added to our squad, optimism was the order of the day. But we were soon brought back down to earth with a touch of inconsistency, followed by an outstanding run of results that saw us top the table at one point. Only to be followed by a horrific run of results in the New Year that meant we were in for a right rollercoaster of a ride that had everything towards the end of the season. Drama, Excitement, Expectation and plenty of tears!

I am not going to give a match by match summary or a monthly account of our season, as that has already been done admirably by LTID colleague Clive Nagington.  I will try and give an insight into my season at our beloved Leicester City Football Club.

As I walked to the Stadium with my brother Roy, as we have done for many years, excitement and expectation still overcomes me as we prepared to watch our beloved Leicester City for another season, but I don’t think anyone could have predicted what was to unfold during the coming months, and as I am typing this report I still haven’t got over those last few games of our extraordinary season.

Following on from the exploits at Watford on 12^th May I think what most supporters are asking, and even neutrals still keep asking me, is where it all went wrong!

It is easy to lay the blame on Nigel Pearson as he is our manager. But I personally, despite getting frustrated at some of his team selections, believe he has done a good job at our football club and I believe he is the right man to take us forward. It is going to be a difficult season next season, there are some good teams coming down from the premier league that are not going to make the task of getting promotion any easier. Plus the financial fair play rules come into force which is going to put added pressure on clubs.

We can look back and blame some of the tantrums and fall outs from certain players that possibly hampered team morale. But again despite some criticism from some supporters I thought Nigel Pearson handled situations very well. And when strikers have goal droughts as happened to both Nugent and Wood and certain players losing form, it happens! These are all contributing factors to why we failed. It is difficult to pin point any significant reason why we had such a disastrous run of form in the New Year that certainly cost us dearly. And I certainly don’t pin any blame on the outstanding Anthony Knockaert for missing that penalty at Watford, Chris Wood’s miss at Blackpool from the spot and other missed opportunities throughout the season contributed just as much, but it happens!

My own personal review of last season is, once again I had a great time. Despite the frustrations and disappointments there were also lots of highs. How can you begin to describe the feeling and the emotions experienced at Nottingham Forest on the infamous 4^th May? What drama was to unfold that day as I stood on the terraces at Forest and what a great feeling when Knockaert scored the winner in injury time---Priceless!

It is always a great feeling to go to City away games as we have one of the best away followings in the country, and over the many years I have supported Leicester, the away following never ceases to amaze me and it is always a pleasure and a privilege to be a part of it. And during the season travelling to away games I had the privilege of meeting some new friends from the LCFC family and hopefully this will continue next season.

On the playing side it was exciting to see Anthony Knockaert, an unknown to me when he joined us but he soon showed what an exciting talent he is and he gave us some fantastic memories. The two goals at Huddersfield were amazing and he contributed to some magic moments during the season. I rate Knockaert very highly and I hope the penalty miss at Watford is out of his system and he comes back to entertain us again next season. A fantastic prospect is Anthony.

 Kasper Schmeichel epitomised the kind of passion and desire that we expect to see from players pulling on the Leicester shirt and he showed what a great goalkeeper he is destined to be. I just hope he remains in a Leicester shirt for some time to come.

 Wes Morgan was mister consistency and for me he was our player of the season. It would be nice to think that Michael Keane would be returning to play alongside him but I believe Keane is destined for a bright future at Manchester United. So it would seem that we will be seeing a new centre back next season

Richard De Laet was a breath of fresh air for me playing at right back. I was critical of some of his defending but the lad has great potential and loads of energy, one of the successes of the season for me, as was Matty James who showed in the last few games what a good player he is, and Chris Wood is a player I expect to flourish next season.

So with some great prospects and stalwarts such as Andy King and David Nugent plus whoever Nigel Pearson adds to the squad it could promise to be another exiting season ahead.

The 2012/13 season was a mixture of highs and lows and of different emotions and on June 19^th the fixture list is revealed for the 2013/14 season and we can prepare to do it all over again. I will be spending some time in Cardigan Bay again during the summer to recharge my batteries and then I will be looking forward to walking down Filbert Way with our kid, and to travelling to away games and to experience the mixed emotions we shall certainly endure along the way.

Whatever is install for us next season support our club with pride and remember we are

LEICESTER TILL I DIE

Alan ‘meashamfox’ Bennett 

MAY THE 4th BE WITH YOU

SATURDAY 4^th MAY 2013

 

NOTTINGHAM FOREST 2   LEICESTER CITY 3

A fans view

On the morning of Saturday 4^th May 2013 I was up early and looking forward to our last game of the season at the city ground Nottingham. A game that could promise so much but realistically just going there and giving a good account of ourselves is the only thing we could expect to happen--- surely!

I got on the coach at Ashby and we then made our way to Coalville to pick up the rest of the crew before setting off to Nottingham. On the coach spirits were high but one person put our task into perspective by saying “we need two miracles today, and I don’t believe in miracles”

I am the eternal optimist when it comes to Leicester City and even during this bad run of form we have experienced I have always remained full of optimism, but even I was thinking this is a big ask today, because if we do manage to beat Forest we have to hope that Bolton do not win at home to Blackpool. A big ask!

Believe it or not the last league game I attended at Forest was the last time we won a league game there. January 22^nd 1972 we won with goals from Alan Birchenall and Keith Weller giving us a 2-1 win. I think if the Forest hierarchy knew I was on the coach heading to the city ground they would have taken steps to sabotage us getting there. I was to be their nemesis?

At Nottingham, City supporters were congregating outside the stadium and the atmosphere was starting to build up and I made my way inside picking up my free Leicester T shirt at the turnstile that was provided by the football club to create a sea of blue!

Inside the concourse I met friends I have made over the years supporting City and with Natalie Jackson from the BBC milling with our fans the atmosphere was building up nicely. I eventually made my way to my seat! to watch our boys being put through their pre match routine, and no one inside the stadium could have realised what was to come that afternoon.

The teams entered the field of play to a resounding noise and in our own end it must have looked impressive with us all wearing our T shirts and a cascade of balloons greeting the players

The match kicked off and before we had time to settle down we found ourselves a goal behind. Andy Reid sent a cross into the box that created pandemonium in our defence and during the mix up Simon Cox stabbed the ball home. Not the start we wanted and we looked a bit shaky and nervous.

After this set back we settled down to play some inspired football with Anthony Knockaert and Lloyd Dyer causing problems for the Forest defence and both players were being a constant threat, it was only inspired goalkeeping by Darlow and good defending by Collins that kept us out.

Following relentless pressure we won a corner and Dyer passed the ball to James who hit a decent shot that deflected of Elliot Ward and flew into the net. 1-1 and game on. The blue army were ecstatic with their celebrations and our team continued to pile on the pressure at Forest with Dyer, Keane and Nugent all going close to increase our advantage

The pressure finally told and Nugent received the ball on the touchline, the ball found its way to Knockaert who skipped past three Forest players before sending a delightful cross into the box that Andy King headed home. That was the signal for massive noise and celebration from the Leicester faithful.  The half was drawing to a close but Forest pressed forward and twice Schlupp had to head efforts off the line to preserve our lead. H.T Forest 1 City 2

Before King’s goal, reports were coming from Bolton that Blackpool were leading 2-0, unbelievable. Surely it wasn’t going to happen?  And our supporters were partying big style—but another twist in the tail, before half time at Bolton. Wanderers had fought back to 2-2 and dampened our spirits a little.

The second half got under way with us wandering how the score was only 2-1 to us and Forest started pressing us back, and when Morgan conceded a free kick I feared the worst as Andy Reid sent over another cross, and sure enough there was Elliot Ward to head home an equaliser 2-2

The rest of the half was played at a frantic pace with both sides going head to head and both sides creating chances; it was one hell of a game!

As the clock ticked down we knew Bolton were still drawing 2-2 but with the clock showing 90 minutes were up and Forest on the attack it was immaterial, we had contributed to a fantastic game of football and I was proud of the lads

----- But then Schlupp broke up a Forest attack and sent a superb ball to Knockaert who raced toward the Forest goal at pace, Knockaert played the ball across to Wood who then played it back to Knockaert and then the ball was in the net and Knockaert was pulling his shirt off and running towards us fans. I have not seen celebrations like that for a very long time. Brilliant – just- Brilliant.

It took a lot of sinking in but I stood there on the Forest terrace with tears running down my cheeks. Just seeing our supporters so happy and the players and staff joining our celebration was a truly magical moment.   It is days like this that us supporters dream about, truly magical

I reminded Steve on the coach about the two miracles he said we needed. We got them plus a little help from Forest’s nemesis---yours truly

Two big games looming ahead of us now and the first one on Thursday at The King Power Stadium v Watford. What will be will be but if our supporters can do at home what the 2000 did at Nottingham, anything is possible.  COME ON YOU FOXES

Thanks to Steve Munton your regular match reporter who asked me to write this match report, I hope I did you Justice Steve

Alan ‘meashamfox’ Bennett for Leicester till I die