Leicester City In The 21st Century: 2005/06
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01
Levein's first summer window
Another summer of change occurred in 2005 as Craig Levein made nine signings, including: Rab Douglas, Mo Sylla, Paul Henderson, Patrik Gerrbrand, Nils-Eric Johansson, Peter Gilbert, Joe Hamill, Iain Hume and Elvis Hammond. Jordan Stewart, Ian Walker and Keith Gillespie were among those to leave.
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02
Exciting pre-season opposition
City's preparations for the 2005/06 season also included two home friendlies, firstly a 0-0 draw against Celtic, and then a 2-1 reverse to Inter Milan. Youngster Chris O'Grady scored the goal for the Foxes.
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03
A fresh feel to the squad
Craig Levein had previously stated that his wish was to trim the size of Leicester's first team squad. Just 22 players feature in the Club's official photograph, including several new signings.
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04
A slow start
Craig Levein's side were beaten on the opening day at Sheffield United, but they got back on track with a 4-2 triumph over Stoke City a week later. David Connolly was proving to be a star of the side and, at the end of August, the Republic of Ireland striker joined Wigan Athletic for a reported £2M. Leicester won just two of their opening 12 games in the Championship.
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05
An intriguing Coventry clash
When Coventry City visited Walkers Stadium on 23 October, it also included returns to Filbert Way for ex-manager Micky Adams and former players Lilian Nalis, Matt Heath and James Scowcroft. Craig Levein got one over on his predecessor, too, as a Mark de Vries double sealed a 2-1 win.
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06
Beating the Blades
On-loan midfielder Ryan Smith scored his first goal for the Club in an encouraging 4-2 win over promotion candidates Sheffield United on 26 November. That victory would be Craig Levein's last in the Championship as Leicester manager.
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07
An FA Cup shock
A frustrating festive period, which included eight defeats in 10 games in the league, was illuminated by a superb FA Cup Third Round triumph over Premier League outfit Tottenham Hotspur. Trailing 2-0 and with the clock ticking, Elvis Hammond, Stephen Hughes and Mark de Vries completed a stunning comeback for the Foxes.
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08
Fryatt joins the Foxes
One of Craig Levein's last acts as Leicester City manager was to bring in Walsall striker Matty Fryatt for a fee in the region of £750,000. The Nuneaton-born forward had scored 30 goals in 78 appearance for the Saddlers.
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09
Levein leaves the Club
After a 3-0 reverse at Plymouth Argyle on 24 January, the Club parted company with manager Craig Levein. Assistant manager Rob Kelly was to step up as caretaker.
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10
Kelly steps up to the challenge
Three wins in a row - over Queens Park Rangers, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Brighton & Hove Albion - earned Rob Kelly the Leicester City manager's role on a full-time basis and pulled the Foxes away from the relegation zone. "The decision now allows everyone to settle down and focus on what is really important," he said. "That's the next 13 games."
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11
A moment of quality from Guðjónsson
Following two draws against Derby County and Leeds United, Leicester got back to winning ways with a 3-2 success against Peter Taylor's Hull City. The match will be remembered fondly by the Foxes faithful in attendance, who witnessed Joey Guðjónsson score a brace - including one effort from the half-way line.
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12
Recognition for Kelly
Another run of three wins on the spin - versus Hull, Luton Town and Millwall - resulted in Rob Kelly scooping the Championship Manager of the Month award in March. Kelly had won six and drawn two of his opening nine games in charge of the Foxes.
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13
Ending on a high
Matty Fryatt's solitary goal was enough for Leicester to end the 2005/06 season with a 1-0 victory over Plymouth Argyle at Walkers Stadium on 22 April. Rob Kelly's men finished in 16th place, a marked improvement after dipping into the relegation zone at the end of Craig Levein's tenure. Joey Guðjónsson, meanwhile, soon departed the Club to join Dutch side AZ Alkmaar.
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