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Bloomfield Boys
Leicester City in the
70's
THE CUNNING FOX,
15.03.2010
The 70's was
a decade of up's and down's, but during the decade City produced
some of the finest football ever to be played by the club. The team
build up by Jimmy Bloomfield never managed to win any trophies but
came close in 1974 when they reached the semi final of the FA Cup
Leicester started the decade in division 2, after being
relegated in the 1968-69 season. Frank O'Farrell was in charge and
he build a new team on a few key signings and a solid group of
players with a long and vital experience from the 60's.
O'Farrell made a great impression when he firstly took Leicester to
the FA Cup final in 1969 and after that made it possible to return
to the top flight in 1971. Manchester United wanted a new manager
and went for O'Farrell. To turn down a chance to become the manager
at Old Trafford is not someone does and City were left as a newly
promoted team without a manager.
Jimmy Bloomfield was appointed manager and brought hope and players
to Filbert Street that knew how to entertain. Today most of our
memories are from the fun part, but it was also periods during the
days Bloomfield was in charge that was difficult to handle.
Leicester finished the 75-76 season in 7th place, which was their
best position in the league during the time Bloomfield was in charge.
Bloomfield resigned from his post shortly after the 76-77 season and
a certain Frank McLintock was appointed to take charge.
Hopes were hight when a new and fresh person like McLintock came in.
He had just finished his playing career at QPR and hopes were that
the unexperienced former player could get his manager career flying
with a well run club like Leicester.
McLintock was a previous player at the club and played under Matt
Gillies in the early 60's before his move to Arsenal. But things
were not going to be easy for McLintock.
The team was relatively old and money was tight. Bloomfield had to
sell players such as Nish, Shilton, Lee and Garland to get cash, and
rumours about Worthington leaving was there all the time.
McLintock started the 77-78 season with most of the players that was
in the team under Bloomfield, but a run of bad results and the sale
of Frank Worthington never really made it possible for McLintock to
save the team from relegation.
Experiments with a number of younger players without no experience
and terrible moves in the transfer market made it clear that
McLintock would leave.
Rangers manager Jock Wallace came in and he had to find a way out of
the mess. City continued to struggle and it was clear that a
revelution had to take place.
Mark Wallington was the only player to survive from the group used
by Bloomfield and a number of youngsters including Dave Buchanan,
Andy Peake and John O'Neill were all introduced to the first team
with great success. A certain Gary Lineker also made his debut in
the 70's but he was never really a favourite under Wallace.
When Bloomfield arrived in 1971 he decided to make a few key changes
which also made the team adopt a more attractive style. He also had
a great base of solid players which all contributed well.
Peter Shilton was one of the most talented young goalkeepers
in the country and a solid number one for the club. Shilton was a
England U.23 international at that time and made his full debut in
1971. Shilton stayed as Leicester's number one goalkeeper until he
moved to Stoke in 1974.
When Shilton left it was not an obvious choice for Bloomfield.
Carl Jayes and Mark Wallington were both given a chance
to impress in the first team, but after a few games it was clear
that Wallington would be number one.
Steve Whitworth was a 19 year old youngster when Bloomfield
arrived but he was a solid as a rock and fought his way into the
England U.23 team and in 1975 he made his full England debut against
West Germany. Whitworth played some fantastic football under
Bloomfield and his attacking full back style was fantastic to watch,
with great overlaps on the right hand side. Whitworth left Leicester
in 1979 and joined Sunderland.
David Nish was an England U.23 international while at
Leicester and the captain of the team when Bloomfield arrived. Nish
left Leicester in 1972 for a new English record transfer fee of £
250 000. Bloomfield had to make a move in the market and signed
Dennis Rofe from his old club Leyton Orient.
Rofe shined from day one and was an instant hit. He forced his way
into England U.23 recognition and fitted well in the team. Rofe
stayed at Leicester until 1980 when he left and joined Chelsea.
Graham Cross and John Sjoberg was two City's most
experienced players when Bloomfield arrived. They also had
Malcolm Manley and Alan Woollett at the same time so he
had a number of good alternatives to chose from in central defence.
Cross could also play in midfield and it was often that he was also
used in that position. Sjoberg left in 1972 and Cross was at the
club until 1976. Malcolm Manley was transferred to Portsmouth in
1973.
Alan Woollett survived under the Bloomfield period and was a solid
alternative for Leicester on many occations. He never really managed
to get a regular place in the team, but was called up on and did his
job in the central defence when needed. Woollett left Leicester in
1978 and joined Northampton Town.
Bloomfield introduced a number of teenagers in City's defence with
Malcolm Munro, Steve Sims and Larry May all
making their debuts under that period. Munro made great impression
but injuries stopped his progression and he retired from football at
a very young age. Sims became a solid rock under a short period with
the club and also played at England U.21 level while at Filbert
Street. Sims left the club in 1978.
Larry May made his debut under Bloomfield, but later became a key
player in the team build up by Jock Wallace. May left Leicester in
the mid 80's and was later at Sheffield Wednesday.
Jeff Blockley who joined Leicester in the latter stages of
the difficult 1974-75 season must not be forgotten. Blockley joined
from Arsenal after experiencing a difficult time at Highbury. He was
an instant success at Leicester and helped with the great survival
from relegation.
Blockley was a solid rock in the heart of City's defence and he was
back in his best form playing for his home town club. Blockley was
before his time with Arsenal a well respected defender at Coventry.
Blockley was probably one of the big reasons why City struggled so
much in the 77-78 season, being out most of the season with
injuries. He later had a short spell with Notts County before
hanging up his boots because of a troubled knee.
Bobby Kellard and Willie Carlin was City's central
midfielders when Bloomfield arrived. Graham Cross had also played in
the middle when needed. Bloomfield sold both Kellard and Carlin
replacing with Jon Sammels and Alan Birchenall.
Birchenall was originally a forward but was turned into a midfielder
by Bloomfield. Bichenall and Sammels played some magnificant games
for City and where key players durng this period.
Steve Kember was signed from Chelsea in 1975 and added more
alternatives in the central position when he arrived. Kember was a
good signing for City and the former England U.23 player impressed.
Kember also struggled with injuries in the last two seasons at the
club. He left in 1978 and rejoined Crystal Palace.
John Farrington and Len Glover was our flank players
in the start of the 70's. Glover at his best was England material
but he never experienced to play for his country at full
international level.
John Farrington also had skills that made him a player for the top
flight. He joined Leicester from Wolves and a key player when City
reached promotion. Bloomfield decided to sign Keith Weller
from Chelsea, maybe one of the best deals done by a league manager
to date. Chelsea agreed to sell Weller for £ 100 000, something Dave
Sexton, Chelsea manager at the time, described as the worst
decission he ever did.
Weller was a fantastic winger and a player that influenced City's
play in a very positive way. Weller replaced Farrington, who joined
Cardiff, and City managed to climb the table. Weller made his
England debut in 1974.
When Leicester had Glover and Weller on the wings, the team really
shined. A fantastic duo, but the fact that both players during many
seasons struggled with injuries made it impossible for Bloomfield to
bring home trophies.
Ali Brown, Rod Fern and Mike Stringfellow were
all at the club when Bloomfield arrived. Stringfellow joined
Leicester in the early 60's. Birchenall was of course also an
alternative. Brown and Fern left in 1972.
Bloomfield signed Frank Worthington from Huddersfield in 1972
and Steve Earle from Fulham in 1973, both players made
instant success and from day one dominated in the City team.
Worthington, Stringfellow and Earle was the attacking options with
Birchenall getting a more midfield role.
Bloomfield signed Chris Garland from Chelsea, another player
that gave a fantastic contribution in the end of the 74-75 season
and helped well with some crucial goals taking Leicester out of the
relegation battle.
Brian Alderson and Bob Lee should also be mentioned,
both of them introduced to the Leicester first team by Bloomfield.
Alderson was signed from Coventry and Lee came up through the youth
ranks at the club.
The Bloomfield era stands as one of the best in Leicester history,
despite not winning any trophies. The key to the success under
Bloomfield was his skill to do the right moves in the transfer
market and at the same time keep a tight unit together for a long
period.
Here is our favourite players from the Bloomfield period
1. Peter Shilton, Mark Wallington
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2. Steve Whitworth
3. David Nish, Dennis Rofe
4. Graham Cross, Steve Sims
5. John Sjoberg, Alan Woollett, Jeff Blockley
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6. Jon Sammels
7. Keith Weller
8. Alan Birchenall, Steve Kember
11. Len Glover, Brian Alderson
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9. Frank Worthington, Bob Lee, Mike Stringfellow
10. Steve Earle, Chris Garland
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