Foxes Mark War Centenary With Tribute Film

Principle filming took place earlier this month when a City delegation including manager Nigel Pearson, Ambassador Alan Birchenall, Football Operations Director Andrew Neville and Club Historian John Hutchinson visited key locations in the Somme region of France. 

The documentary is in its final production stages and will be released on Armistice Day – Tuesday 11 November, 2014. 

City manager Nigel Pearson said: “The history of the First World War is a subject I have always been deeply interested in. Its relevance to our entire generation and the sacrifices made by such an enormous number of people cannot be overstated and should never, ever be forgotten. 

“The trip was a humbling experience – not just as representatives of Leicester City, but as people whose future was shaped by events on a scale we’re unlikely to ever fully comprehend.” 

Among the sites visited during the trip were Vimy Ridge, setting for the heroic efforts of Arthur Mounteney, who carried the injured fellow ex-Fosse player Tommy Codd two miles under enemy fire to safety; the Thiepval Memorial, where the names of former Fosse duo William Sharpley and James Stevenson are among the 73,000 Missing of the Somme; and the village of Moeuvres – where Adam Black, Leicester’s all-time leading league appearance maker, won both a football battalion medal and a Distinguished Conduct Medal in the space of 24 hours in 1918. 

“The individual tales are fascinating stories in themselves and provide a real human insight into what the experience must have been like,” Nigel added. 

“But they are merely small parts of a wider picture that had such a profound impact on so many lives.” 

The stories brought to life in Foxes Remembered have been unearthed over many years by Club Historian John Hutchinson, one of the film’s producers. John identified all 50 of the men known to have fought in the First World War and represented Leicester Fosse, 11 of whom died in action or as a result of their injuries. 

"It was a very moving experience to reflect that these soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice and who were now at rest in ‘some corner of a foreign field that is forever England’, had played football in the familiar surroundings at Filbert Street’ not long before their deaths."

Club Ambassador Alan Birchenall said:“In the 40 years I have been associated with Leicester City, I’ve heard some of these stories in passing, but never fully appreciated the bravery shown by men that wore the colours of our Football Club. 

“Adam Black in particular – he has a suite at King Power Stadium named after him and most people will assume that is due to the incredible number of appearances he made for the Club. 

“The story of what he achieved on the battlefield is absolutely incredible and one every Leicester City fan should hear.” 

Foxes Remembered:The Story of Leicester City and the First World War will be released on the Club’s official YouTube channel – – on Tuesday 11 November, 2014. 

To be among the first to watch it, go to and click the ‘subscribe’ button. 

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