Leicester City In The 21st Century: 2013/14
-
Url Copied to clipboard
-
01
Preparations begins
Still reeling from their play-off heartbreak in May, Leicester City began to make modest changes to the first team squad, with Dean Hammond and Zoumana Bakayogo among those to arrive in the summer.
-
02
Pre-season challenges
Claudio Ranieri, who would later manage the Foxes, brought his AS Monaco side to King Power Stadium on 27 July, 2013. The French giants left Leicester with a 3-0 friendly victory.
-
03
Up and running
Jamie Vardy's winner, following an earlier effort from Danny Drinkwater, got Leicester off to a winning start on the opening weekend of the Championship season at Middlesbrough.
-
04
An assured start
David Nugent's last-gasp penalty sealed a 3-2 success over Birmingham City in late August to make it three wins in four games for City.
-
05
A fans' favourite arrives
On 17 September, 2013, Leicester City confirmed the signing of defender Marcin Wasilewski, who would go on to become a cult icon among the Blue Army.
-
06
Individual acknowledgement
Academy graduate Liam Moore scooped the Football League Young Player of the Month prize in September after a month which included his maiden goal for the Club in a 2-0 win over Wigan Athletic.
-
07
Knockaert's redemption
Still riding high in the Championship, Anthony Knockaert banished his Watford demons with a goal for the Foxes in a 3-0 win over Watford on 2 November at Vicarage Road - where Leicester's play-off dreams had been crushed in May.
-
08
Fun and games
While Jamie Vardy scored the winner in a 1-0 success at Queens Park Rangers, fellow strike partner David Nugent briefly went viral on 21 December, 2013 after chasing a squirrel away at Loftus Road following a delay in play caused by the unusual pitch invader.
-
09
Ending 2013 on a high note
Gary Taylor-Fletcher scored City's last goal in a 5-3 triumph over Bolton Wanderers on Filbert Way on 29 December, 2013.
-
10
An Algerian wizard joins
Although few took notice at the time, the signing of Riyad Mahrez for a nominal fee from Le Havre on 11 January, 2014, proved to be a key turning point in Leicester's recent history.
-
11
Adding experience
Nigel Pearson also swooped to complete the transfer of experienced former Premier League Golden Boot winner and England striker Kevin Phillips four days later.
-
12
Keeping the run going
Ritchie De Laet and Jamie Vardy scored solitary goals, alongside a brace from David Nugent, in a memorable 4-1 success over Derby County in January.
-
13
Manager of the Month
After securing nine straight wins between late December and early February, Nigel Pearson was named as the Championship Manager of the Month in January. He would win the award again in March too.
-
14
Making history
The last victory of that sequence came at AFC Bournemouth - a fifth consecutive away win - as 40-year-old Kevin Phillips became the Club's oldest ever goalscorer.
-
15
Schmeichel or Wood's goal?
After surprisingly falling behind to Yeovil Town on 25 March, 2014, goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel appeared to have scored an equaliser for the Foxes in the 92nd minute. While the goal stood - earning City a point - it was later awarded to forward Chris Wood.
-
16
Defying the neigh-sayers
Leicester crept one step closer to a Premier League return with a 2-0 triumph at promotion rivals Burnley on 29 March, 2014, courtesy of efforts from David Nugent and Chris Wood - prompting Anthony Knockaert to celebrate in a unique fashion.
-
17
Back in the big time
Anthony Knockaert's late free-kick secured a 2-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday at King Power Stadium on 4 April, 2014. A day later, results went Leicester City's way and the Foxes were finally back in the Premier League after 10 years away!
-
18
Top of the pile
A 1-0 success at Bolton Wanderers on 22 April, 2014, meanwhile, confirmed the Foxes' status as Championship champions.
-
19
The leading men
Danny Drinkwater picked up the Player of the Season and Goal of the Season prizes at the Club's End of Season Dinner, while Jamie Vardy netted the Players' Player of the Season award.
-
20
The crowning moment
Following a final-day 1-0 win over Paul Dickov's Doncaster Rovers, the Foxes finally got their hands on the Championship trophy on 3 May, 2014.
-
21
Celebrations in Leicester
The Blue Army headed to the streets shortly after the season's conclusion to toast the Foxes' success during an open-top bus tour through the city centre.
-
22
A bright future
The party ended at King Power Stadium as thousands of fans joined ownership, management and players in celebrating Leicester City's magnificent season. Thoughts were already turning to the Club's Premier League return...
-
Url Copied to clipboard