It is with great sadness that we heard the news that Gerry Summers, who was Leicester City’s Assistant Manager to Gordon Milne between 1982 and 1986, passed away on Wednesday 13 March, 2024.
Born in Birmingham, Gerry started his playing career at West Bromwich Albion before, in May 1957, joining Sheffield United, who were then managed by Joe Mercer.
A midfielder who was described at the time as the brains of the side, he was in the Sheffield United team which was defeated by Leicester City in the epic 1961 FA Cup Semi-Final which went to two replays. That season, the Blades were also promoted to the old First Division. In the close season which followed, Gerry then went on the FA tour to the Far East, New Zealand and the USA. Leicester City’s wing-half and future captain Colin Appleton was on the same tour.
When Alan Birchenall joined the Blades as a youngster in 1962, Gerry’s experience helped guide Birch’s early career. Gerry later played for Hull City and Walsall and had spells as manager at Oxford United (1969-1975) and Gillingham (1975-1981).
After a brief tenure as West Bromwich Albion’s chief coach, he arrived at Filbert Street as Gordon Milne’s Assistant Manager in 1982, achieving promotion to the old First Division at the end of his maiden season. In his four years at Filbert Street, he worked with the likes of Gary Lineker, Alan Smith, Steve Lynex, Paul Ramsey and Ian Wilson, among others.
He later became Derby County’s chief scout and youth team manager.
Latterly, Gerry was a resident at Grayson Hall Care home in Stoneygate. Last December, Birch renewed his acquaintance with Gerry when some Leicester City staff and players visited on a pre-Christmas visit.
The thoughts of everyone at Leicester City Football Club are with the family and friends of Gerry at this sad time.
