Leicester City Through The Years: 1930-1940
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01
John Duncan leaves City
During the 1930/31 campaign, Johnny Duncan, captain during the glory years of the 1920s, had his contract terminated because he took over the Turk’s Head pub without the Club’s permission.
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02
Peter Hodge's desk
Gardner, the trainer, died. Orr, the manager, resigned. Hodge returned for a second spell as manager, from Manchester City, who gave him this desk. Leicester just avoided relegation.
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03
Sandy McLaren Magazine
In 1932, the signings of 'Digger’ Maw (14 goals in 18 games) and goalkeeper ‘Sandy’ McLaren helped Leicester avoid the drop. They had been bottom of the table for much of the season.
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04
Three Smiths
Leicester’s first-ever FA Cup Semi-Final was against Portsmouth in 1934, who won 4-1 in front of 66,000 at St. Andrews. Sep Smith (centre) played against two of his brothers in this game.
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05
Hodge's funeral
Manager Peter Hodge tragically died in Scotland during the close season. Six Leicester players acted as pall bearers at Wellshill Cemetery, Perth
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06
Jubilee Souvenir of Arthur Lochhead
The board appointed first team player Arthur Lochhead as manager. A qualified teacher and record signing from Manchester United in 1923, he inherited an ageing side.
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07
O'Callaghan Carroll
With Leicester bottom of the table, Lochhead signed forwards Eugene O’Callaghan from Spurs (second left) and Tony Carroll (right) from Clyde to strengthen the side.
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08
Club jubilee book
Leicester marked their 50th anniversary in 1934/35 with this commemorative booklet. After four years of fighting the drop, Lochhead’s Leicester were finally relegated at the end of their Jubilee season.
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09
Smith's silver cup
Newly-relegated Leicester’s Sep Smith played as a second half substitute for England against Scotland in the unofficial Jubilee international in Glasgow. He was awarded this silver cup.
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10
Smith's England cap
With Leicester top of Division 2, Smith was awarded this England cap against Northern Ireland in Belfast. Leicester finished the season in 6th place.
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11
Womack turns it around
Grimsby’s Frank Womack was appointed manager in October 1936, with Leicester bottom but one in Division 2. By the end of the season, Leicester were Division 2 champions.
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12
Key men arrive
Womack made two key signings. These were winger Eric Stubbs and centre forward Jack Bowers. Bowers scored 33 goals in the remaining 27 games.
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13
Coronation Cup
This Coronation Loving Cup was presented to Leicester as Division 2 champions. Others went to the Division 1 teams and to Blackpool, promoted with Leicester.
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14
Bucharest host LCFC
As Division 2 champions, Leicester toured Eastern Europe but lost all five matches. Their arrival in Bucharest was reported in the local press. Venus Bucharest won 2-0.
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15
Promotion party
In the summer of 1937, the Leicester City players and directors attended this promotion celebration garden party at Peckleton Manor, the home of director Arthur Needham.
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16
Press exposure
The cover of this edition of ‘Sports Budget’ shows Leicester’s Billy Frame, Frank Womack and captain Sep Smith with the Division 2 Shield.
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17
1938 squad photo
Having survived the previous season in the top Division, following their promotion as Division 2 champions, this 1938-39 Leicester City squad was unfortunately relegated again.
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18
Tom Bromilow
The ex-Burnley and Crystal Palace manager Tom Bromilow replaced Womack as manager in July 1939. He stayed at Leicester for the next six years.
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19
Guest player Lawton's letter
Tommy Lawton (England and Everton) wrote this letter to Leicester City prior to playing three games for the Club as a guest in the new war-time Regional League.
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20
Season ticket disquiet
Although League fixtures were cancelled, season ticket holders were not refunded. This letter goes on to offer them a 10/- (50p) discount for the first post-war season tickets.
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21
Financial crisis
All but two of the directors were suspended for life or for a period of three-five years.
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