Fearless

By Sean Willis and Harry Harris

#Fearless is the unique story of Leicester City's remarkable 2015-16 Premier League season in which hard work and a team spirit triumphed against 5000-1 odds to show no fear and become Champions of England.

• Language: English
• Publisher: G2 Rights Ltd
• Release date: Dec 9, 2016
• ISBN: 9781782813798

Book preview

Leicester City winning the Premier League has been hailed by some as the most unlikely story ever in the history of sport. It’s difficult to argue against that. Certainly, Nottingham Forest’s League-winning season of 1977-78 (following promotion from the second tier the previous year) and subsequent 1978-79 & 1979-80 European Cup triumphs would be a strong contender. Also, the England cricket team recording that 500-1 victory against Australia at Headingley in 1981 is worthy of a mention too.

However, the Leicester City achievement has taken place in an era of football where there is a vicelike correlation between financial clout and pecking order. A club such as Leicester simply does not dine at the Top Four restaurant, let alone sit at the head of the table. According to the bookmakers that is an event rated at 5,000-1. It simply does not happen. But, of course, it did.

Before we enjoy the story of the historic 2015-16 season I think it important to trace the history of Leicester City Football Club and to get a ‘feel’ for a club which has largely plodded along, not really creating too many headlines when it comes to footballing achievements. Three League Cup triumphs, four FA Cup Finals (no wins), three European campaigns, and countless promotions and relegations are the highlights of a proud 132-year history. Better than most football clubs, granted, but nevertheless a modest list of ‘honours’. But, by appreciating the past and, in particular, the 2014-15 season we can marvel to a far greater degree at the ridiculously incredible achievement of our ‘fearless’ heroes.

ORIGINAL YOYO CLUB?

Are you sitting comfortably ...Leicester City were promoted to the top flight of English football for the first time at the end of 1907-08 season, finished bottom in 1908-09, crowned Champions of the Second Division 1924-25, relegated after the 1934-35 season, Champions of the Second Division again in 1936-37, bottom of the First Division 1939-39, Champions in 1953-54, relegated the following season, Champions 1956-57, relegated 1968-69, Champions 1970-71, bottom 1977-78, Champions 1979-80, relegated 1980-81, 3rd and promoted 1982-83, relegated 1986-87, promoted 1993-94 (via play offs), relegated 1994-95, promoted 1995-96 (via play offs), bottom 2001-02, promoted 2002-03, and relegated again 2003-04.

Let’s pause here. That’s 11 promotions and 11 relegations, in the process 6 times Champions of the 2nd tier in just short of a hundred years. During that period Leicester City’s highest ever finish was as Runners-up in the old First Division (top flight) in 1928-29, only 1 point behind eventual champions of England, Sheffield Wednesday.

CUPS

Sadly, the FA Cup didn’t provide too much joy either. There were four Finals, all losing ones: 3-1 against Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1949, 2-0 to Double winners Tottenham Hotspur in 1961, 3-1 to Manchester United in 1963, and finally in 1969 1-0 against Manchester City.

However, it is in the League Cup, where Leicester City had won, arguably, the most meaningful silverware winning the trophy three times. The first time was in the fourth-ever League Cup Final, played over two legs then. On 15 April 1964, the first leg ended Stoke City 1-1 Leicester City at the Victoria Ground, and on 22 April it was Leicester City 3-2 Stoke City at Filbert Street to clinch the tie 4-3. On 6 April 1997 at Wembley Stadium the Final ended Leicester City 1-1 (aet) Middlesbrough, with Leicester winning the replay 1-0 (aet) at Hillsborough on 16 April. And finally, on 27 February 2000 Leicester beat Tranmere Rovers 2-1, in the last League Cup to be held at the old Wembley Stadium.

The latter two League Cup triumphs were under the excellent coach of Martin O’Neill, and as a consequence Leicester qualified for the UEFA Cup in 1997-98 and 2000-01, the club’s first European competition since 1961. In June 2000, however, O’Neill left Leicester City to take over as manager of Celtic.

A NEW HOME

As early as the 1990s there had been talk of moving away from Filbert Street. Finally, however, plans were unveiled on 2 November 2000 for a 32,000-seater stadium at nearby Freeman’s Wharf. And, on 23 July 2002, the new stadium was officially opened by former Leicester striker Gary Lineker. 10-year naming rights were negotiated by local company, Walkers, and the stadium was eventually named as ...the Walkers Stadium.

FINANCIAL WOES

Despite the first season at the Walkers Stadium ending in promotion back to the Premier League, Leicester City had gone into receivership. This was due to a combination of factors: the £37 million cost of the new stadium, relegation from the Premiership in 2001-02, the collapse of the English transfer market due to the introduction of the transfer window, and the collapse of broadcaster ITV Digital. This was only compounded when Leicester City were relegated from the Premier League after only one season back in the top flight.

THINGS CAN ONLY GET BETTER, SURELY?

Leicester City then entered a period of significant uncertainty both on and off the pitch. Many managers came and went, and the club also found themselves a new owner, with ex-Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandari formally acquiring control of the club on 13 February 2007. A new beginning? Well, Leicester did manage to exit the Championship but, tragically, from the wrong end at the conclusion of the 2007 -08 season. Leicester City Football Club were now in the third tier of English football for the very first time in their history.

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Nostalgic crowd scene at Filbert Street in January 1957. League Division Two, Leicester City 7-2 Bristol Rovers.

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Tuesday, 23 July, 2002. Leicester City and England international Gary Lineker cuts the ribbon to officially open the new Walkers Stadium.

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Sunday, 27 February, 2000, Wembley Stadium. Leicester City manager Martin O’Neill and captain Matt Elliott with the League Cup trophy, following the 2-1 victory over Tranmere Rovers.

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