Leicester City In The 21st Century: 2004/05
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01
A busy summer
Still under financial restraints, Micky Adams had to be shrewd in the transfer market as he made plans for Leicester's 2004/05 season. As well as David Connolly and Martin Keown, Jason Wilcox, Dion Dublin, Danny Tiatto, Gareth Williams, Kevin Pressman, Nathan Blake, Joey Guðjónsson, Chris Makin, and Scot Gemmill also joined the Foxes for a total outlay of around £1M.
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02
A special edition away shirt
To mark the Club's 120th anniversary year, Leicester City and Le Coq Sportif revealed a special 'Fosse Gold' away shirt which was reversible with a navy blue inside.
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03
The season looms
Despite a modest transfer spend and the departures of Muzzy Izzet, Paul Dickov and Les Ferdinand, among others, City were among the favourites for the title in the newly-named Championship.
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04
Opening day drama
New-season excitement was evident on the first day of the new campaign as Leicester hosted fellow promotion candidates West Ham United at Walkers Stadium. Despite ending in a 0-0 draw, there was plenty of intrigue as David Connolly faced his former employers, while new signing Dion Dublin was dismissed after just 18 minutes on his debut for his hometown club.
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05
A first league win
Micky Adams' men didn't have to wait too long for their maiden victory of the season, though, as Lilian Nalis and Trevor Benjamin booked a 2-1 success over rivals Derby County at Pride Park on their second league outing.
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06
A frustrating run
Four defeats in the following nine games, including a home League Cup reverse against Preston North End, left the Foxes outside the play-off positions in early October. While fans were disappointed by City's stuttered start to the campaign, there was a major shock around the corner for the Blue Army.
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07
Adams resigns as manager
Despite being guaranteed more time, manager Micky Adams resigned following that defeat by Preston in the League Cup after two-and-a-half years in post. Director of football and former manager Dave Bassett stepped in as caretaker. Chief executive Tim Davies said: "Everyone connected with the Club wanted Micky to stay and we did our utmost to try to persuade him."
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08
A new era begins
After four winless games without a permanent new manager, Heart of Midlothian's Craig Levein joined the Club on a two-and-a-half year contract on 29 October. The 40-year-old outlined his intention to manage in the Premier League with Leicester City during his first press conference on Filbert Way.
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09
A promising start
After watching on from the stands as Leicester were held 0-0 at Cardiff City, Craig Levein oversaw a 2-2 draw at Crewe Alexandra - City's sixth stalemate in a row - before Coventry City visited Filbert Way for his maiden home match in charge. Lilian Nalis, Danny Tiatto and Matt Heath got the goals for the Foxes in an impressive 3-0 victory.
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10
Strong form continues
While losing their next match at home against Sunderland, the Foxes remained in good form during Craig Levein's early days in charge, registering back-to-back successes over Plymouth Argyle and Leeds United.
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11
Levein shuffles his pack
A run of three defeats and one draw over Christmas, however, prompted the Scottish manager to bring in some new faces in January. Mark de Vries and Alan Maybury were signed from former club Hearts, while Lars Hirschfeld, Stephen Hughes and Patrick Kisnorbo also travelled south of the border. Paddy McCarthy, on the other hand, joined from Manchester City.
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12
A legend retires
Following a short loan spell at Ipswich Town, the Club's 2000 League Cup-winning captain Matt Elliott announced his retirement after eight years at Leicester City.
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13
An enjoyable cup run
League form was still a problem for Craig Levein's men, who had fallen into the bottom half of the Championship, but they found reason for cheer in the FA Cup. This fifth round win at Premier League side Charlton Athletic in February - secured through Dion Dublin's late winner - set up a quarter-final against Blackburn Rovers, who had former Foxes Robbie Savage and Paul Dickov among their ranks.
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14
Beaten at Blackburn
Cup fever gripped the city of Leicester ahead of the quarter-final at Ewood Park on 13 March, but it ended in heartbreak as Paul Dickov's penalty led to a 1-0 success for Blackburn.
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15
Tigers on Filbert Way
Also in April, after speculation that Leicester City could share Walkers Stadium with rugby union giants Leicester Tigers, their sporting neighbours hosted Toulouse on Filbert Way. Tigers suffered a 19-27 loss in front of a capacity crowd.
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16
Concentrating on the league
Out of the FA Cup, Leicester booked a first win in eight Championship matches when Richard Stearman, David Connolly and Mark de Vries found the net in a 3-1 success over Millwall - managed by Dennis Wise - in early April.
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17
Signing off at home
City concluded the 2004/05 season with a 15th-placed finish. Their final home game, meanwhile, resulted in a 2-0 win over Leeds United, courtesy of goals from Dion Dublin and David Connolly. The Foxes marked the occasion by displaying their new home kit for the upcoming season, produced by sports brand JJB.
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