Emile Heskey To Become LCFC Ambassador To Support The Development Of Women's Football

- Club legend Emile Heskey returns to Leicester City
- Emile will take up an ambassadorial role as part of support for LCFC Women
- The former striker’s work will see him mentor young female players
- Heskey will help develop LCFC Women's Academy and player pathway

Emile, who came through the Academy at Leicester City and went on to represent the Football Club in the Premier League and win 62 caps for England, will become a key figure in the transition of LCFC Women to a full-time professional team.

The appointment comes after King Power International underlined its commitment to the long-term development of women’s football in Leicestershire with the acquisition of LCWFC – a move that marked the 10-year anniversary of King Power’s Leicester City takeover. 

Respected and admired in Leicester and the footballing world, Heskey’s role as ambassador will see him use his expertise and experience to mentor players during their transition to becoming full-time professional players. 

As a Leicester City Academy graduate, Emile will also use his experience to support Russ Fraser, the Club’s Head of Women’s Football, to develop the women’s academy setup and player pathway as part of a long-term strategy to improve opportunities for young female players in the region. 

Leicester City Chief Executive Susan Whelan said: “We are delighted to be able to welcome someone of Emile’s experience and record of achievement back to the Football Club. He has a unique understanding of our Club culture, our city, our Academy and what makes Leicester City special.

“While a number of our players have backgrounds in the professional game, providing support to players taking their first steps in the full-time model will be vital to the future success of LCFC Women. Emile’s experience and his skills as a mentor will be enormously valuable in that process. 

“Furthermore, as an LCFC Academy graduate himself, we’re incredibly proud to have Emile on board to help inform the process of developing our pathway for young female players, as part of our commitment to delivering long-term opportunities for talented young girls in the city and county.”

New Leicester City Ambassador Emile Heskey said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be back working for Leicester City. Everybody knows how I feel about this Football Club and to be able to have the opportunity to work on such an exciting project from its inception is fantastic.

“I’m looking forward to getting started with some great people and I hope that my experience, input and ideas can help LCFC Women transition to the next level.”

LCFC Women General Manager Jade Morgan added: “There is nobody better than Emile to act as a mentor for our players with his wealth of experience at the very highest level and we’re incredibly grateful to be able to call upon him. 

“As well as the support he can offer to our players, having somebody of Emile’s standing involved in such an influential way can only bring positive things to both LCFC Women and the wider women’s game in this country.” 

The former striker’s reputation in the game will also bring added exposure and awareness of the good work being done to develop women’s football in the region, having enjoyed a career that spanned over 800 games for the likes of Leicester City, Liverpool, Birmingham City, Aston Villa and England.

Heskey played almost 200 of those games for the Foxes and like current City star Jamie Vardy, is a member of the exclusive ‘Premier League 100 Club’, having scored 110 goals during his top-flight career. Only six players have made more than Emile’s 516 Premier League appearances, while he has also scored seven times in 62 outings for England. 

His standing among Leicester City supporters and within the game makes him a natural addition to the Club’s Legend’s Programme, which includes the likes of Gerry Taggart, Steve Walsh, Matt Elliott and Peter Shilton, with Emile now joining that programme alongside his work on the development of women’s football.

That wider ambassadorial role will support the ongoing work and legacy of Club Ambassador Alan Birchenall, whose incredible efforts over more than 40 years continue to bring the Club and its community closer together.