Who Are Ya? | Ten Things You Didn't Know About...Leicester City

Two years ago information on the history of Leicester City Football Club was limited to those passionate Foxes fans across the midlands, but a lot can happen within two years in football from clinging to to Premier League survival to winning it.

Here are ten facts you may not have known about the world’s favourite rags to riches side.

1-      Leicester were formed in 1884 by a group of old boys of Wyggleton School and the club was originally known as Leicester Fosse. They joined the Football Association in 1890. They were also members of the Midland League as of 1891, and elected to Division Two of the Football League in 1894. Their first game in the Football League came against Grimsby Town, a 4-3 loss before their first victory a week later against Rotherham United.

2-      Having been placed in Division Two of the Football League in 1894, it was the start of an unbelievable run which saw them not drop out of the top two tiers for 115 years. They have only ever spent one season outside of Division One or Two (Premier League/Championship) coming during the 2008/2009 season when they were relegated to the third tier (League One) but were promoted immediately.

3-      After the end of the First World War in 1919, like many clubs Leicester were struck financially and ceased trading. They were re-formed shortly afterwards with the name ‘City’ taken after Leicester was given city status.

4-      The Foxes have had number of successes in the FA Cup, reaching the Final on no less than four occasions. Sadly for blues fans, they’ve never won it which gives them the record of most appearances in a final without winning it!

5-      In 1961 Leicester lost in the FA Cup Final to Spurs but still qualified and play in the European Cup Winner’s Cup. They face Atletico Madrid in the first round and were knocked out. They went on to face Atletico in the Champions League this season in the Quarter-Final.

6-      Former manager Nigel Pearson was known for being quite a character in the Premier League during his tenures in charge of the Foxes. His first spell came in 2008 as he took Leicester back to the Championship before departing for Hull City. But his second spell from 2011 to 2015 saw him constantly in the headlines. From strangling James McArthur, swearing at journalists, arguing for ten minutes with 5 Live’s Pat Murphy, telling a supporter to f*** off and die’ and of course our personal favourite, calling one journalist an ostrich.

7-      Leicester can brag about having had two of the best goalkeepers in English football history. Both Gordon Banks – the World Cup winning stopper of ’66 – and Peter Shilton have both worn the number one shirt for the Foxes.

8-      Leicester have played at a number of grounds before their time in the Football League. These included Fosse Road, Victoria Road and Belgrave Road. In 1891 they moved into their famous Filbert Street where they played until 2002 when they moved to what was then known as the Walker’s Stadium, now known as the King Power Stadium and holds over 32,000.

9-      Many clubs experiment with their kit colours as the years roll by, however Leicester have stuck to their roots. Their first kit had a black base with a vertical sky blue stripe from the right shoulder to the base of the shirt on the left. Between 1886 and 1890 they wore a sky blue and brown concoction before a white and sky blue design. They first wore the shirts they are more commonly known for in 1899, a blue shirt, white shorts and blue socks. They briefly used stripes between 1915 and the early 20s and wore an all-white kit in 1972/73. Kit suppliers have included Umbro, Admiral, Scoreline, Butka, Fox Leisure, La Coq Sportif, Joma and Puma.

10-   Ok, we know you know this but, It’s absolutely worth mentioning. 5000/1 to win the Premier League having stayed in the Premier League a few months previous. With Claudio Ranieri at the helm not much was expected from a side written off before a ball was even kicked. But lead by midfield general N’golo Kante, wide-man Riyad Marhez and of course the definition of rags to riches striker Jamie Vardy they toppled the elite and took the Premier League title by storm. Nothing will come close to THAT season from the Foxes.

Leicester City 2016/2017 home, away and third shirts are available to buy here at Vintage Football Shirt for just £22.99. From defending the title to their first venture into the Champions League, click here for a slice of history or below.