Leicester City In 100 Players: Andy Peake
Born in Market Harborough, Andy Peake played 162 games for Leicester City between 1978 and 1985. In July 1978, aged 16, he became an apprentice at City. His potential was such that he was sometimes included in matchday squads to get a feel for the first team.
Two months after his 17th birthday, on 6 January, 1979, Andy made his debut as a £20-a-week apprentice against Norwich City and, later that month, he was offered a professional contract.
At about this time, Andy was selected for the England Youth squad to play against Italy in Rome. He went on to gain 13 England Youth caps, winning the European Championship in East Germany in 1980. He also played for England in the Under-20 World Cup in Australia in October 1981, reaching the semi-finals.
After his City debut, Andy kept his place in the side for the remainder of the season, and apart from injuries, was a regular in the first team until he left the Club in 1985. A playmaker, he played with his head up and could see a pass.
His inventive, imaginative and creative midfield play, his ability to pass accurately and his ability to score spectacular long-range goals were all invaluable features which contributed massively to the team’s attacking play.
In his second season in the first team, Leicester were promoted as Second Division champions in 1980/81. In the top flight, Andy soon scored a spectacular goal against Liverpool. Eleven days later, he broke his leg against West Bromwich Albion at a time when, in his own words, he ‘was absolutely buzzing’.
Later that season, after his comeback, Andy was a regular in the Leicester side which completed the double over Liverpool. Jock Wallace’s side was relegated in 1981. The following season, Andy played in the FA Cup last four against Tottenham Hotspur and, four days later, he won an England Under-21s cap against Poland.
In the pre-season which followed, with Gordon Milne now the manager, a bad scissors tackle snapped Andy’s ankle ligament causing him to miss virtually the whole promotion season which followed.
In August 1985, after two more seasons in the First Division, Andy moved to Second Division outfit Grimsby Town because he was being asked to play in a way which didn’t really suit his more measured style.
He later spent four more years in the old First Division at Charlton Athletic. He also got promoted with Middlesbrough to play in the first season of the Premier League.