|
The 60's
A fantastic decade for City fans
THE CUNNING FOX, 18.11.2008
-
|
|
Leicester City fans
experienced the best period for the club since the 20's. City manager
from 1958 to 1968, Matt Gillies, guided the club to several Cup finals
and great league positions.
City started the decade with a great finish to the 59-60 season ending
in 12th position. Players such as Ken Leek, Ken Keyworth, Colin Appleton
and Gordon Banks made the differance.
City's form progressed even more during the 60-61 season reaching the FA
Cup final and at the same time ending in a great 6th position in the
league.
Goalkeeper Gordon Banks became a key player for City and by many
described as one of the reasons why the club started their climb and
also again had the abillity to fight for trophies.
Another young player at the club, Frank McLintock started to shine. |
|
|
Matt Gillies:
City manager from 58 to 68- |
|
|
|
-
David Gibson: Signed from Hibs in 1962 |
City was defeated
at Wembley in their first FA Cup final since 1949. Tottenham secured
a double with both winning the FA Cup against Leicester and also
winning the league.
The 1961-62 season never took of in the same way as the previous one,
with City finishing 14th in the table. Attendences was down with
around 5000 at home games from the season before.
The 1962-63 season was a brilliant one, with City finished 4th in
the league and again reaching the FA Cup final.
City were close to a double act, but stumbled at the last hurdle and
won "nothing". |
|
|
City were a top team
from the end of February, but were defeated in their four last games of
the season. City were favourites among the bookies to win the FA Cup
final against a new and unfinished Man Utd team, but they were defeated
3-1. ending runners-up in a FA Cup final for the 2nd time in three years.
City's first ever major trophy win came in 1963-64 when they defeated
Stoke in a two legged League Cup final. The finals were played home and
away in the first years of this competition.
Players such as Graham Cross, David Gibson, Frank McLintock, John
Sjoberg and Richie Norman had all established themselves in the first
team and were all key members of a well organised City team.
City were in the 60's known for good organisation and by the english
press known for they fantastic abillity to defend, naming their back
line, the blue curtain.
The 1964-65 season started well but the finish wasn't much to talk about.
They reached the League Cup final again, but had to see themselves
defeated by Chelsea. The season ended with a 18th place in the League.
A few new players were introduced before the 1965-66 season. Derek
Dougan and Jack Sinclair gave City great strength up front and their
great goalscoring form helped City back among the top 10 teams ending
7th in the table.
The 1966-67 season started well and City finished 8th. Gordon Banks left
the club and joined Stoke, while a youngster named Peter Shilton was
introduced to City fans. Peter Rodrigues was a new inspiring signing
from Sheff W. filling the right-back position with a new and fresh
attacking style.
Len Glover and David Nish were two relatively new faces that was bright
lights in a relatively difficult season. City ended 18th after being
more or less involved in a relegation fight most of the season, being
saved by a good finnish with three wins and a draw in the four last
games.
City had lost most of their power when the 1968-69 season came along.
Manager Matt Gillies never managed to influence the team which
eventually led to his departure. Frank O'Farrell was the man City went
for to replace Gillies.
O'Farrell managed to lead City to the FA Cup final, but at the same time
struggled to keep City up and the season finally ended in relegation.
City made the FA Cup final a thrilling act, but Neil Young's goal for
Man City was the one that eventually gave Man City the win.
Despite being a great decade for Leicester City, it ended in relegation.
Players such as Allan Clarke, Len Glover, Peter Rodrigues, David Nish
and Peter Shilton were all there, but couldn't help City avoid the drop. |
|
|
h |
| |
|
