TWIH: Rodney Fern's Debut

Forty-six years ago this week, on 3 February 1968, a Leicester City cult hero made his debut. His name was Rodney Fern. He went on to play nearly 200 games for Leicester City between 1968 and 1972. His skilful, unorthodox and creative forward play made him a fans’ favourite. The ‘Rod-neeeee’ chants became quite a feature at Filbert Street when Rodney was playing.

His debut was against Don Revie’s all conquering Leeds United.

Matt Gillies’ Leicester City, in their 11th successive season in the top flight, and with four Cup Finals and a European campaign in the previous eight seasons, were struggling. The team was still recovering from the shock departures, towards the end of the previous season, of World Cup winner Gordon Banks and the flamboyantly effective and frighteningly skilful maverick Derek Dougan.

The young Peter Shilton had taken over in goal, but he had missed several games early in the season through injury.

Derek Dougan had not really been replaced, but this was not through want of trying. Amongst others, manager Matt Gillies had attempted to sign Andy Lochhead from Burnley and Allan Clarke from Fulham. Both were to play for Leicester City in the 1969 FA Cup Final, but they did not sign for the City in this 1967/68 season.

Two significant signings were made however.

In November, Frank Large signed from Northampton Town. He only stayed until the end of the season, when he reluctantly left for Fulham as a makeweight in the deal, which saw Leicester City break the British transfer record when they eventually signed Allan Clarke. Frank’s incredibly brave performances, which made him look indestructable, quickly made him a firm crowd favourite.

A week later, Leicester City paid a British record fee for a winger when they paid Charlton Athletic £80,000 for Lenny Glover. He went on to become indelibly linked with the attractive Jimmy Bloomfield sides of the 1970s.

Burton-born Rodney had made a name for himself playing for Leicestershire Youth and Measham Social Welfare.

I recently had the privilege of interviewing Rodney. Recalling these early days, he remembered that ‘Leicester City kept an eye on me. I was only young but I was better playing against men than I was against boys. West Brom were interested, but Leicester is where I always wanted to go.’ He signed a professional contract on his 18th birthday. Fourteen months later he made his first team debut. Matt Gillies was on sick leave from January 1968 until the end of the season. It was his assistant Bert Johnson who gave Rodney his chance.

Leeds United were a hard side to play against. Not only were they one of the most succesful sides in the country under ex-Leicester City star Don Revie, they were also a cynical, dirty side. At the ‘Davie Gibson and Friends’ Heritage Afternoon held at King Power Stadium last season, the consensus of opinion amongst the Leicester City legends who were present, (such as  Davie Gibson, Mike Stringfellow, Richie Norman, ‘The Birch’, David Nish, Bobby Roberts and Howard Riley) was that Leeds were the dirtiest side they had ever encountered.

This debut against Leeds was a baptism of fire for the young Rodney. He played up-front alongside the redoubtable Frank Large.

Rodney remembers the game vividly. He said: “Leeds were on a run of eight successive wins. The first thing that happened to me, in the very first minute, was that Norman Hunter kicked me up in the air on the half way line when I was no danger to anybody! Stringy (Mike Stringfellow) scored from Bobby Roberts’ free kick. Their midfielderJohnny Giles was small but he was hard and vicious. He was worse than big Jack Charlton.He was a good player but he would top you!”

Rodney was also at the centre of Leicester’s most dangerous moment in the first half when he put Davie Gibson away who then beat the Leeds fullback Terry Cooper and nearly scored.

Fern also almost extended the City’s lead when he raced down the pitch with Large in support and with only Paul Madeley in his way, but he shot wide. He also had another half chance, before Johnny Giles equalised for Leeds in the 62nd minute. Ten minutes later, Davie Gibson’s high floating centre went into the goal, but three minutes after that Paul Madeley scored another equaliser for Leeds. The final score was 2-2. Rodney had definitely justified his selection.

He quickly established himself as a first team regular. His next two games helped to cement his reputation as a crowd favourite. These were the two FA Cup Fourth Round games against Manchester City, who were to become League Champions that season.

Remembering these games, Rodney recalled: “The 1968 Cup tie was a week after my debut against Leeds United.

“I was only 19. We drew 0-0 at Maine Road in front of over 50,000. I remember our trainer David Jones had a heart attack at half time (from which he fortunately recovered). Two days later we won the replay 4-3 after being 2-0 down. I scored a left footed half volley which went into the roof of the net to make it 2-1. It was my first goal for the first team. Then Frank Large, who was a very hard man, scored two and David Nish also scored. There were 40,000 at Filbert Street. It was a night game and a great atmosphere. The fans loved their cup games. Then, the following Saturday I scored at Anfield in the league and the week after that I also scored against Sheffield United. We had good players in the team, and many were local.”

Rodney had arrived. The following season, he was in Leicester City’s FA Cup Final side against Manchester City. Although the side was relegated in 1969, he was top scorer the following season (when he opened his account with a spectacular overhead goal against Birmingham City). He was a regular  in Frank O’Farrell’s side which won the old Second Division title in 1971. Under Jimmy Bloomfield he was in the side which defeated Liverpool to win the Charity (Community) Shield in 1971 and was a regular in the Club’s first season back in the top flight, in 1971/72.

Rodney moved to Luton Town in the summer of 1972. The fans were sorry to see him go. He had really endeared himself to them with his unorthodox, skilful and sometimes frustrating play, following his debut 46 years ago this week.

Pics

LEAD: Rodney Fern

1: Richard Mitchell’s award winning photograph of Rodney being upended by Frank Large after his goal against Sheffield United in March 1968.

2: 'Focus on Rodney Fern’ interview.

3: Rodney (centre background) in the 1969 FA Cup Final against Manchester City