Sporting Memories: Leicester City Unlock The Power Of Football

The evocation of these thoughts and feelings can occur at any time, whether it is by watching a particular goal being scored, picking up an old matchday programme that had previously been stowed away or a simple conversation with a friend.

Over the past few months, the LCFC Community Trust, with the help of Club Historian John Hutchinson, have been unlocking these emotions with a project called Sporting Memories.

The workshops, inspired by the Sporting Memories Foundation, began in December 2017, are free to attend and are open to all City supporters. They help to tackle dementia, depression, loneliness and social isolation amongst elderly fans through the medium of relaxed, yet entertaining, discussion.

Club Historian John, who has now on several occasions delved into the archives to supply a huge range of Foxes memorabilia for the workshops, explained: “It is an opportunity for fans who have been watching Leicester City for many years to come along as a group with a common love for the Club.

“Our first event saw us take a look at some memorabilia, which prompted all sorts of memories from the 1960s. We also saw two great players in Richie Norman and Howard Riley tell some brilliant stories, and, in another session, we had Nev Foulger, who had been the voice of BBC Radio Leicester and LCFC Radio covering Leicester City for many years.

“What this does is it gives fans a chance to sit down and have a chat. It’s totally informal and we all have a lot of shared memories. It’s such an easy event to run because it’s all about the fans and they love talking about their memories of the Club.”

Every football supporter experiences ups and downs. Whether you’ve witnessed your side throw away a two-goal lead or score a last-minute winner against their local rivals, memories like that never leave the mind. “For all of us, the backdrop of your life is football,” continued John.

“You do tend to think about your life and what the Club were doing in that time and this is certainly true here. You only have to mention a couple of people like Derek Dougan, Jackie Sinclair or Peter Shilton and the memories from everybody come flooding back.

Expand photo

Memorabilia from over the years was put on display in the media suite.

“The most difficult part of these events is that you have to cut them short. When it’s in full flow and everybody is talking, it’s difficult to stop because these events could go on all day!”

Leicester City supporters will know Nev Foulger well. For nearly two decades with the BBC, he covered the Foxes, outlasting eight permanent managers and reporting on two League Cup victories along the way.

After helping host a session, Nev said: “I think it’s very important for everyone involved and it’s very useful, even for people like me. Bringing back these memories is terrific, especially in football.

“We should always remember the great times in the past. When you get a crowd of people in that jog each other’s memories with their own memories, it’s brilliant.”

Whether it be as fans on a matchday or visitors throughout the week, former Foxes Richie Norman and Howard Riley often grace King Power Stadium. When they were asked to talk at a Sporting Memories session earlier this year, they had plenty to say about their exploits as footballers in the 1950s and 1960s at Leicester City.

“It was great listening to them, and I have to say, I’ve enjoyed it as much as I hope those who came to share the memories have,” Nev added.

“It brought back some great moments from my own career. We talked about the Martin O’Neill era and the Carling Stand and various play-offs at Wembley. All these things help people remember the good times and they really enjoy that.”

His association with the Club continues today in the form of matchday commentary for LCFC Radio.

Members of the Blue Army need only to hear his voice and listen to his stories, and instantly, memories are awakened.

That is the exact reason why he, like Alan 'The Birch' Birchenall MBE, was selected as a speaker by the Community Trust, who have recently been working with Leicester Ageing Together partnership and the Alzheimer’s Society to reduce isolation and loneliness in older people in Leicester.

LCFC Community Trust Community Manager Matt Bray said: “Our Football Memories project is aimed at engaging with older fans to help them to recall memories of watching Leicester City.

“We aim to help older participants living with dementia, depression and loneliness by engaging in monthly events at the stadium and out in community settings.

“The feedback has been extremely positive, and it’s a pleasure to hear fans talk and share their own personal memories of the Football Club, and have the memories brought back to life.

Expand photo

Hutchinson's speeches helped bring back memories which were previously lost.

“By sharing a passion for sport, we help people to connect with others, and provide a platform to develop positive thoughts and feelings that otherwise remain hidden away.

“We have an ageing population – the number of people aged 60 or over in the United Kingdom is expected to pass the 20 million mark by 2030 according to the Office for National Statistics. We are aiming to expand the project to engage with even more older people in Leicestershire.”

One man happy to look back on some iconic moments in the Foxes’ history was Noel Houlihan, who attended a Sporting Memories session earlier this year in the Legends Lounge – a room draped in City memorabilia.

Fellow City supporter Dave Goodacre, like many, braved the wintery weather to make it to Filbert Way for an opportunity to share some of his own stories about the Club.

A Fox for over six decades, Dave said: “I heard it was about nostalgia and I thought I’d come down. I’m an anorak in many ways with my football and my cricket.”

Growing up around Manchester United fans, the Foxes gave Dave plenty to shout about in the 1950s and 1960s. To this day, he still talks about those famous wins over one of the biggest.

“It’s been brilliant,” said Noel. “I can’t really say enough about it. It’s been fantastic to come along. Football is my life. I participate in walking football and this is another extension of it.

“It’s another avenue to go down, because as we’re getting older, it’s excellent to be part of something like this. The more the merrier, I’d love to see more people come down.”

He added: “The first time I came down, it was a reserve match. I can’t remember who we played, but my grandad brought me down and Tommy Godwin was in goal for Leicester.

"The next time I came down was to see Stanley Matthews in 1954/55 – it was a 2-2 draw."

Noel, after sharing his views on the resplendent King Power Stadium’s matchday experience, highlighted an ex-City player that lit up Filbert Street in the 1970s – former Leicester, Chelsea and Bristol City forward Chris Garland.

He said: “The Martin O’Neill era was superb and one of the gentlemen earlier mentioned was Chris Garland, who unfortunately is now in a care home. To me, he was probably one of the best players Leicester have ever had. Not many people from Leicester talk about him – we have today.

“In the modern day, Leicester City are doing so well, which is giving everybody a big lift. It’s so comfortable and welcoming to be a fan at King Power Stadium. The whole Club is moving forward in a good way.

“I then started coming down regularly in 1961. Our first game was against Manchester United, a game that nearly didn’t take place because the players were going to go on strike 48 hours before.

"Leicester scored six and Manchester United failed to trouble the scorer. The next two years, we beat them 4-3 twice. In fact, and I love telling people this up north, we beat them six years on the trot at Filbert Street!”

Each and every football fan has an opinion unheard, or perhaps a story not shared for years. Noel and Dave are just two of hundreds of Foxes enthusiasts that have been able to talk about what they love through Sporting Memories.

By continuing to deliver these projects, hundreds more will also have that opportunity in 2018.

This article is one of many featured in the latest edition of LCFCQ, the Club's quarterly magazine. For more information, click HERE.