Conference trucks::football;1

    Ah a note about a decent English team.  As Kilmarnock are my Scottish
    team, it is only appropriate that I support a smaller English team. 
    
    Although I have seen Leicester play at least ten times as I have
    relatives who stay In Kirby Muxloe, my biggest regret is that I have not
    seen them since Emile Heskey and Steve Claridge have been paired together
    (Watching on Sky not included).  Neil Lennon also looks like a great
    young player and yesterdays sigining of Robert Ullthorpe means that
    they are a very strong left sided team.
    
    My biggest regret regarding Leicester is that they sold Julian joachim
    to Villa, as he was one of the most exciting young players I had every
    watched.
    
    Lets hope they beat Wimbeldon tonight!
    

    
    Thanks Mark.
    
    I agree that was a disappointment Joachim going to Villa, but it wasnt
    unexpected, especially with Little leaving. Also Draper going was a big
    disappointment but he did have it in his contract that if we ent down
    they he would leave. Lets hope that City are able to hang on to Heskey
    'cos I think it won't be too long before he will be knocking on Hoddles
    door for a full International place, possibly for the WC in 98.
    
    But knowing the fortunes of Leicester, we find them hone them and then
    have to sell them. But next season when we get the money from Sky we
    should be able to start paying better wages and then should be able to
    keep the likes of Heskey and hopefully encourage more players to
    Filbert St.
    
    Well I wonder if Wimbledon watched the game on Sunday, and realise that
    we won't be that much of a push-over.
    
    Thanks for the support.
    
    Neal.
    

    Neal
    
    That is City's main problem over the past five or so years.  The boards
    inability to reject any offers for there best players.  Leicester could
    have been a force to be reckoned with had they kept there best players. 
    I can recall going to the Leicester vs Sunderland in 91/92 (I think!). 
    On the Sunday Sunderland had beaten Norwich to reach the FA Cup final
    against Liverpool.  Leicester won 3-2 and I thought there would be no
    stopping them, but I had banked on the run of play-off defeats.
    
    If Leicester can hold on to Heskey and build a team round about him
    then they should manage to regain some of their status they had in the
    80's.
    
    Mark.

    
    Mark.
    
    If you have access to the internet, there is a good Web page for the
    Blues, it is written by a fan and is not an official one.
    
    It includes lots of slagging off of the board, and match reports and
    the like.
    
    The address is:
    
    www.feetup.demon.co.uk/lcfc/lcfc.html
    
    Have fun reading it.
    
    Neal.
    

    Thanks Neal
    
    Unlike you I do not have access to WWW through All-in-One but I do have
    access.  If there is anything of any interest though you should copy it
    on to Notes, as hopefully we will hear from more Foxes fans (although I
    will not bank on it).
    
    Do you get to go to many games at Filbert Street Neal?
    
    Mark.

    
    Mark.
    
    Unfortunately not, I live in Wiltshire and work shift. Also have 2
    small children so the wife puts her foot down, but my son is also a
    City supporter and is now getting to the age where he wants to start
    going to football so there is hope that I may be able to start going
    again.
    
    I used to go quite a lot when I was younger, either with my dad or my
    mates, but when I left school I joined the RAF and was posted all over
    the place, but still went when I was at home on leave.
    
    As to your request I will put some interesting stuff in this note as
    and when it occurs.
    
    Neal.
    

    
    City have signed former Norwich Robert Ullathorne from Spanish club
    Osasuna. A fee of �500,00 is to be payed to Ossasuna. A left sided 
    midfield player, he has signed a 2.5 year contract. 
    
    Ullathorne, 25, is expected to be thrown straight into action in
    Tuesday's Coca-Cola Cup semi-final first leg clash with Wimbledon at 
    Filbert Street. It is the second time that Ullathorne has played under 
    Martin O'Neill who was also his manager during his spell at
    Norwich. Ullathorne was a trainee at Carrow Road and made 94 league
    appearances before joining Spanish club Osasuna on a free transfer under 
    the Bosman ruling last summer. He should be eligible for Tuesdays 
    semi-final against Wimbledon.
    
    Are there any Norwich supporters out there who can tell me anything
    about Ullathorne?
    
    Neal.
    

Also who's likely to make way ?


Cheers

Mad

    
    
    
           LEICESTER CITY          2-2    CHELSEA       
           Walsh (52)                     Di Matteo (16)
           Newton (og 88)                 Hughes (35)   
    
    
    
    Chelsea were strolling along, noses in the air, when they were reminded 
    that this has become the most perverse FA Cup campaign for decades. 
    
    It is best not to be the favourites for Wembley glory this year, better to 
    be one of those unfancied make-up-the-numbers teams because this is the 
    year of the upstart, the underdog and the upstager. 
    
    Ruud Gullit's cosmopolitan bunch were so far ahead in terms of technique, 
    quality and international experience that even the wind which buffeted 
    Filbert Street did not appear strong enough to blow Chelsea from their 
    expected place in the quarter-finals. 
    
    But the aristocracy has long since stopped getting its own way. The lower 
    classes are kicking a few backsides. They are making life difficult and 
    egos are crashing all over the place. Chelsea's was bruised here. It may 
    not prove fatal but they were given a sharp and painful reminder that no 
    side, however patched-up, can be underestimated. 
    
    No one was more deflated than Eddie Newton, who panicked two minutes from 
    time and sliced Garry Parker's free kick past goalkeeper Kevin Hitchcock to
    give Leicester yet another shot at a stroll down Wembley Way. 
    
    Next time, as Leicester manager Martin O'Neill put it, Chelsea will have to
    contend with his first team. 
    
    Newton's blunder so ruffled his manager's normally calm feathers that 
    Gullit was seen leaving the field in agitated debate with referee Mike Reed
    He should have saved the harsh words for his team. 
    
    Leicester are fighting for their respectability in their first season back 
    in the Premier League. They have reached the semi-finals of the Coca-Cola 
    Cup - where TV demands they face Wimbledon tomorrow - and have spent much 
    of the season trying to keep body and soul intact. 
    
    The side O'Neill sent out was an assortment of old heads, novices and one 
    called back from a loan period at Kettering. 
    
    When he looked at the array of talent at Gullit's disposal, the Leicester 
    manager must have feared the kind of embarrassing exposure he had to 
    witness in the opening half-hour. They were two goals down before they had 
    settled on a pattern of play. 
    
    It all looked so simple. Roberto Di Matteo had seemed to shy away from his 
    first three challenges, leaving you to wonder if he did not have the same 
    appetite for Leicester on a blustery Sunday as he did when forcing 
    Paul Ince and David Batty back on their heels on a wet Wednesday at Wembley.
    Appearances, though, were deceptive. 
    
    When Steve Clarke played him into a yard of space on the left after 15 
    minutes, Di Matteo cut back across Steve Walsh's poorly-timed attempt to 
    tackle him and beat goalkeeper Kasey Keller in one breathtaking move. 
    
    The response of Leicester's fans was to break out in a series of fights, 
    spilling into one of the corners behind Keller's goal, at one stage forcing
    the linesman to give an offside decision while surrounded by stewards. 
    
    The referee, whose attention was drawn to the melee by the fourth official,
    decided to keep the game going amid a succession of peace pleas over the 
    public address system. 
    
    Leicester needed all the support they could muster, yet the fans seemed 
    oblivious to the fact. 
    
    Worse still, a breathtaking breakaway after 35 minutes allowed Chelsea to 
    increase their lead. 
    
    When Newton released Dan Petrescu, the Romanian had three or four options 
    but chose correctly, his reverse pass giving Mark Hughes time to control 
    and drive a diagonal shot past Keller. 
    
    Everyone laughed when Alan Birchenall, once of Chelsea and Leicester and 
    now City's honorary MC, told the Leicester fans that their team could do 
    to Chelsea what Chelsea had done to Liverpool in the previous round. No one
    could have foreseen what was to come. 
    
    There are few finer dead-ball kickers in the game than Parker and his 
    52nd-minute free kick was perfectly delivered for Walsh, back after the 
    13th operation of his career and a 13-week absence, to climb higher than 
    any Chelsea defender. 
    
    Chelsea brought on Gianluca Vialli for Zola but it was young Stuart Wilson,
    unfazed by the assembly of greats around him, who served to put greater 
    momentum into Leicester's attacking ideas. 
    
    The bookings increased as Chelsea's tackling and their dissent grew louder 
    and it was for a foul by Clarke on Steve Claridge that Parker's second 
    free kick of the game drifted into the area where Newton stuck out a boot 
    to send the ball swirling over Hitchcock's head. 
    
         		The underdogs live on. 
    
    

    
    Mad.
    
    I think Ullathorne may have been bought in to bolster the squad, what
    with all the injury worries and suspensions it would be sensible to
    have a bigger squad. We seem to be a bit short on left sided players.
    
    Also just seen that we are interested in someone called Guppy at Port
    Vale, anybody any ideas who this bloke is?
    
    Neal.
    

    Guppy eh? I think he's John Scales brother-in-law. Or it could be Chris
    Pike. 
    
    If they manage to hook him it will be a hell of a catch. Apparently he
    knows where the net is. He always puts his heart and sole in. Always in
    the right plaice.
    
    However, if they don't handle it correctly they could land up in deep
    water. Umm, the whole thing sounds fishy.
    
    Tony
     

    Neal
    
    Steve Guppy played for Wycombe before signing for Newcastle in about
    '92 (Dont quote me on that).  I dont think he ever played in the first
    team and left after a while to join the mighty Port Vale.
    
    Not bad for a Jock eh?
    
    Mark.

    
    Mark.
    
    Cheers for that, I wonder if He was at Wycombe when MON was there.
    That would explain why MON is so interested in him.
    
    Neal.
    

    Neal
    
    Yes Martin O'Neil was boss when Guppy was there.  Well done Sherlock, I
    didnt make the connection.
    
    It seems all my years playing mind numbing computer footie managerial
    games has not went to waste after all.  I now have about 10 years of
    various dross concerning even the lower division teams in England.
    
    Mark.
    

    RE:600.11
    
    Tony
    
    After flicking through various teams notes I can only draw the
    conclusion that you are employed by Digital as the Notes comedian.  
    
    Is there any Note that has missed out on your outstanding wit and
    humour?
    
    Rgds
    Mark.

Guppy never really got a chance at Newcastle. Apparently his days become 
numbered (along with one or two others) when Keegan turned up unexpectedly at 
a reserve team game to find them pi**ing about. At least then we HAD a 
reserve team to p*ss about in.

Michael

    
    I left a note in the Chelsea note about Gullit spouting crap about City
    being lucky. No Chelsea supporter has bothered to reply to it so I take
    it that they are embaressed about their managers outburst, and realise
    that he was talking out of arse.
    
    We deserved the draw and to be honest Chelsea were lucky to get the
    draw not City.
    
    Neal.
    

    I can only assume that I have been employed as notes comedian, because
    quite frankly I don't do f*** all else.
    
    Tony
    

    Tony
    
    Is that a confession?
    
    Mark.
    

    Hi there,
    
    My name is Neal Mansell and I work at DEC in Newbury in the
    Network Management Centre, I have been here for 6 months now and have just
    started reading the Football notes.
    Have discovered though that I am in a minority being a Leicester
    fan, but I did notice in this file that I am not the only one, hello Jon
    Kane if you are still here, where is the Leicester notes that was
    going to be set up.
    
    
    Neal
    
    I found this when I ended up in the wrong note accidently.  You did not
    have much luck then, but so far this Note has had a healthy response.
    
    Mark.

    
    
    Guppy was at Wycombe with O'Neill plus is'nt Paul Hyde at Leicester as
    well as understudy to Keller. He was Wycombe keeper before being ousted
    by Smith...;.
    
    Being a Chelsea fan this draw actually caused me grief cos I have a bet
    with a mate that either Chelsea or Leicester would win the cup. This
    bet was made sometime ago so I'm still hanging in there...
    
    Pj 

    
    Pj
    
    	Im not sure about that, I must admit I personally havent heard his
    name before. But I will find out.
    
    Some good news for tonight though, it seems that Heskey and Izzett are
    back and able to play, also this new chap Ullathorne is available. So
    will be able to watch him on tele tonight and see if he's any good.
    
    Actually is it a good idea to put him straight into the team without
    him training with the rest of the squad, so they can at least go some
    way to try and understand his style of play. Maybe if he was on the
    bench for this game and possibly bring him on in the 2nd half. Any
    comments?
    
    Neal.
    

    
    I'm going to be knocking off soon so I'd just like to wish City all the
    best for tonight. I'll be back with a report in the morning.
    
    Neal.
    

    
    
    
    
          	LEICESTER CITY          0-0    WIMBLEDON       
    
                                                                         
    
    It was a toss-up at Filbert Street whether Leicester's �600,000 signing 
    Robert Ullathorne was more miserable than the fans. 
    
    The luckless Ullathorne who signed from Osasuna, was carried off after only
    13 minutes of his debut with suspected damaged ankle ligaments while and 
    his team struggled to gain the advantage in the first leg of their 
    Coca-Cola Cup semi-final against Wimbledon. 
    
    It was a disastrous night for Ullathorne who was taken to hospital for 
    precautionary X-rays: it was a frustrating one for the supporters and could
    signal the end of their team's hopes unless they can produce a more upbeat 
    performance in the away tie at Selhurst Park on March 11. 
    
    Leicester had what amounted to a one-man attack with only Emile Heskey 
    looking likely to penetrate a Wimbledon defence that had lost just three 
    times in their previous 31 games. 
    
    Heskey came close to celebrating his return to the Leicester side after a 
    one-match suspension with an early goal. 
    
    The tie was barely four minutes old when he was released down the left wing
    by a superb pass from Muzzy Izzet. Heskey's electrifying pace took him past
    Chris Perry and he unleashed a fierce drive from an acute angle that 
    Neil Sullivan was relieved to parry around his near post. 
    
    It was a promising opening by a Leicester side determined to be more 
    adventurous than they were in the first half of Saturday's FA Cup clash 
    with Chelsea but fate dealt them and ex-Norwich defender Ullathorne a 
    shattering blow when he sprawled on the turf in agony as he tried play the 
    ball into touch. 
    
    Ullathorne had made a couple of useful foreys in his left wing-back role 
    but had been given scant opportunity to impress his new fans. 
    
    Heskey was proving the most dangerous of Leicester's strikers and whipped 
    in a long-range drive from the right edge of the penalty area which was 
    deflected before flashing just wide of Sullivan's right post. 
    
    But Wimbledon gradually made their presence felt with, inevitably, 
    Vinnie Jones, behind their attacking overtures. After Simon Grayson had 
    been booked for a shirt-tugging incident, Alan Kimble whipped in a tempting
    cross from the left. 
    
    Jones darted in at the near post to deliver a powerful header that 
    goalkeeper Kasey Keller was relieved to see fly a few feet wide of the 
    target. 
    
    With his long throws, Jones was putting the reorganised Leicester defence 
    under pressure and Marcus Gayle escaped his markers to produce a glancing 
    header that flew straight into Keller's arms. 
    
    It appeared that Jones, never the most popular visitor to any ground, was 
    the target of a laser-like beam from the grandstand. When he took his 
    throw-ins from the touchline by the main stand, a pinpoint of red light 
    focused on the back of his head. There has been concern that these beams of
    light have been used to distract players. Aston Villa head of security
    John Hood recently brought the use of these 'toys' to the attention of the 
    authorites. 
    
    It did not appear to affect Jones as he performed his usual decisive and 
    committed role in what became a battle of midfield attrition between two 
    well-matched sides. 
    
    Leicester manager Martin O'Neill predicted that the tie would be 'far from 
    decided until the second leg' - but even he must have hoped for a little 
    more sparkle than his team mustered in the first half. 
    
    It ended on a brighter note for Leicester, however, as Izzet drove a long 
    range shot inches wide of the post - and their supporters were hoping for 
    a second half more like Sunday when they produced that two-goal rally to 
    take Chelsea to an FA Cup fifth-round replay at Stamford Bridge. 
    
    After the interval, Heskey had his moments - none better than in the 59th 
    minute. Leicester thrust themselves forward with substitute Jamie Lawrence 
    feeding the ball to Steve Walsh, whose cross from the right fell invitingly
    to Heskey's feet five yards out. 
    
    It was a gift opportunity but Heskey blazed his first-time shot over the 
    bar. 
    
    Soon afterwards Steve Claridge, who was having a quiet night, was left 
    clear to attack the Wimbledon net but he sent a shot just wide of the post. 
    
    It was enough to give O'Neill palpitations because chances were so few and 
    far between but he still believes Leicester can surprise a few people in 
    the return. 
    
    Leicester suffered lacklustre periods while Wimbledon seemed content to 
    contain the home side in the knowledge that they have a second leg coming 
    up at Selhurst Park on March 11. 
    
    Leicester kept pushing to the bitter end in search of a goal to take away 
    for their second leg and Heskey was denied in the 80th minute when his low 
    cross shot from the right was finger-tipped on to the post by Sullivan. 
    
    It was a fine and crucial save by the Wimbledon goalkeeper but he was given
    no credit for it as referee Stephen Lodge awarded a goal kick rather than 
    the corner it should have been. 
    
    

    
    It wasn't the best game I've seen, but I thought Wimbledon did very
    well. Their left-back, Kimble, I thought had an excellent game.
    
    Ok Heskey did trouble the Dons defence but I thought he was about the
    only one who looked likely to score.
    
    Wimbledon didn't really trouble our defence at all, which was
    surprising, considering they were playing 3 up front.
    
    Isn't it just typical of City's luck, we buy a player to beef up the
    squad due to injuries and then he goes and gets injured. Is there any
    justice in this land.
    
    Oh well there's always the 2nd leg. But playing them at Selhurst Park
    is always going to be an uphill struggle. We really needed to beat them
    at Fibert St. to stand any chance of getting to the final.
    
    Looking at it realistically, surely Premiership survival is more
    important than winning the Coca-Cola cup, or the FA cup for that
    matter.
    
    Leicester in Europe? possible but I think unlikely. Mind you the money
    would be useful.
    
    Neal.
     

Watched the game last night, (Well the first half anyway) and enjoyed it.

 Leicester looked as good as the Dons, and it appeared for a while that the dons didn't like the 
'Punt it up the pitch,quick' style of play when they were on the receiving end, but at the end, it was 
a defenders game, with the odd break at either end.

 Enjoyed it though, that Heskey is a monster, what's the low-down with this bloke, did he come 
thru leicester's youth prog.(if any), and how likely is he still to be there at the end of the season ???


Thoughts ??

Mad

    
    Mad,
    
    Heskey did come thru the youth prog. and he is also an England u21
    player. 
    
    As to the chances of him staying with City. I think it all depends on
    whether we survive at the end of the season, he has signed a 4 yr
    contract with us, but the big clubs must be interested in him bearing
    in mind that he is only 19. If we stay up then we can start to compete
    with the bigger clubs by at least offering the players Premiership
    wages, or at least somewhere near.
    
    IMHO he must be in contention for a full England cap in the near
    future, possibly nearer the World Cp in 98. Any comments?
    
    Neal.
    

    Let's not get carried away with Heskey. How many goals has he scored
    this season? If Collymore and Fowler can't get England call-ups then
    I think he may have to wait a bit yet.
    
    To be honest, I'd rate Marcus Gayle as highly as I'd rate Emile. 8-)
    
    Mike

re .28

 Yea , see your point, however Heskey must be a contender along with Fowler/Colleymore for the 
future.

 Number of Goals this season

Milosevic                   7              Aston Villa           
Ferguson                    7              Everton               
Speed                       7              Everton               
Claridge                    7              Leicester City        
Heskey                      7              Leicester City        
Beckham                     7              Manchester United     
Juninho                     7              Middlesbrough         
Earle                       7              Wimbledon             

 I don't know though, what he was like last season ?.



Mad
p.s.  He's doing well in my Fantasy team tho.   8-)

    
    Mike,
    
    If you read my note properly you will notice that I said ' he would be
    knocking on Hoddles door POSSIBLY for WC98' I didn't say he should be
    in the team.
    
    I agree with what you say about Collymore and Fowler, but like you I
    will be slightly biased towards my own team!!.
    
    Neal.
    

    Neil,
    
    Mutter mutter grumble heskey whinge moan mutter one season wonder
    gripe snipe crap last season moan rhubarb
    
    Plus, I am in no way biased towards my own team; merely a lover 
    of true football in all its forms. Marcus Gayle has been good
    for donkeys years and the only reason he (and for that matter
    Robbie Earle) doesn't get picked for England is because he plays
    for Wimbledon. It's a tired old moan I know, but completely true.
    
    And I'm not even a Wimbledon supporter.
    
    As I said to dave Edwards at lunch, if Heskey was really a
    superstart in the making, Villa would have stolen him off you for
    about 20p.
    
    The WC98 strikers for England are, lets be honest, going to be
    the same ones that are involved in the qualifying tournament.
    
    Sad but true.
    
    Mike
    

    
  	  LEICESTER CITY        4-2    DERBY COUNTY       
   	  Marshall (7, 24, 27)         Sturridge (2, 47)  
       	  Claridge (59)
    
    
     
    
        Leicester's Ian Marshall took just 21 minutes to destroy Derby and
    	give manager Martin O'Neill a perfect reminder of where he thinks his 
    	best position is. 
    
        Marshall's first-half hat-trick left County on the floor after their 
    	Midland rivals had been given a dream start with a somewhat fortunate 
    	goal from Dean Sturridge. 
    
        Marshall has been playing at the heart of City's defence for much
    	of the season because of the emerging Premiership talents of England 
    	Under 21 star Emile Heskey and his partnership with Steve Claridge in 
    	attack. 
    
        But he delivered the best possible evidence that it is in attack where 
    	he is at his happiest and, more importantly, where he is most valuable. 
    
        Marshall has made no secret of the fact that he doesn't like playing at
     	centre-half and a delighted O'Neill knows it. 
    
        He declared: 'Ian wants to play centre forward. He has scored some 
    	great goals for us this season but he hasn't been able to get in the 
    	team up front because Claridge and Heskey have been hard to dislodge
        and they've kept him out. 
    
        'Then we had problems at the back and he played there like he had
    	been doing it all his life. I thought he was magnificent, not just his 
    	goals, but in everything he did. 
    
        'When I bought him there were a few people here who thought he was
    	a waste of money. A couple of board members had never heard of him but 
    	they just let me get on with it.' 
    
        Marshall's first-half performance was even more remarkable considering 
    	he had only trained the day before the game and was still carrying a 
    	groin injury. 
    
        But after Sturridge had deflected Paul Trollop's harmless shot beyond 
    	Kasey Keller to give County the lead in the second minute, Marshall 
    	took centre stage. 
    
        He put City level with a stunning 20-yard volley in the eighth minute 
    	and then put them in front 16 minutes later. 
    
        In between County keeper Russell Hoult made two outstanding saves
    	before committing the cock up of the season. 
    
        He failed to control Chris Powell's back-pass and his slip was enough 
    	to let Marshall stroke the ball into the empty net. 
    
        Four minutes later Marshall completed his treble as Derby's dire
    	defending allowed Claridge to cross for Marshall to supply the finish. 
    
        County briefly threatened to launch a comeback when Sturridge deftly 
    	turned home his second of the game two minutes after the restart. 
    
        But in the 58th minute Claridge scooped the ball over Hoult after
    	Steve Walsh had knocked down Garry Parker's cross. 
    
        It left County manager Jim Smith moaning: 'It was our worse defensive 
    	display of the season. We gifted them three goals and it is probably 
    	one of the most disappointing performance of the season. It is the 
    	first time we've conceded four.' 
    
        Smith even took off the ever-green Paul McGrath who at 37 had been 
    	given the runaround by Claridge and Marshall. 
    
        Smith added: 'The games come thick and fast for him sometimes and I
    	thought about not playing him and maybe I should have made that 
    	decision. 
    
        'But I'm not making excuses for him because the defence was very poor 
    	and Leicester defended very well.' 
    
        Marshall's goals overshadowed the bravery of Parker who played for the 
    	second time in four days despite his wife Petra still in hospital after
    	complications set in with her pregnancy. 
    
        Parker said: 'It is a very difficult time for the family but by playing
     	football it helps take my mind of the situation. Petra's in full 
    	agreement and I want to carry on playing.'                        
    
         

    Good result against the Rams.  I have never really liked Ian Marshall
    (I think it was the haircut he had at Ipswich) but I certainly cannot discredit him for
    what appeared to be a superb performance.  However if he had not hit
    that first half hat-trick then me thinks City would have struggled to
    get a result.
    
    Is Watts, Julian Watts the ex Wednesday defender?  And what are the
    opinions of Frank Rolling?  I am interested as he was signed from Ayr
    Utd (The Scum) who as a Kilmarnock fan have a great dislike for.
    
    Mark.
    

    Could someone tell me when the Cup games against Chelsea and Wimbeldon
    are, because as an uninformed Scottish fan I do not have a clue.
    
    Also what is the downs on Robert Ullathorpe (Spelling?) Is he going to
    play again this season.  I was reading that Kasey Keller will be
    missing for most of March as he has to play in World Cup qualification
    games.  Surely something can be sorted so it is possible for him to
    play in some matches as happened against Man Utd in the CC Cup earlier
    in the season.
    
    Mark.

Chelsea v Leics is wednesday night, shown on SKY.

 Rob Ullathorne is out for the season, broken ankle.

Mad

    Anybody got any team news as regarding tonights teams?  I heard that
    City had 4 players back from suspension, but I do not have a clue who
    it was.
    
    Mark.
    

    
    I believe Izzett, Lennon were two of the four. Chelsea look likely
    to be forced to make three changes from the side that drew with Man U
    on Saturday. Gullit, Grodas and Myers may all start.
    
    Richard.

    We wuz robbed!!

    
    Leicester City now have an official WWW site at http://www.lcfc.co.uk.
    
    Amongst other things, this includes (totally unbiased!) match reports
    from the Leicester Mercury. I don't think they were very complimentary
    about yesterday's referee...
    
    Paul.
    

    
    
    
    
    	  CHELSEA                 1-0    LEICESTER CITY
      	  Leboeuf (pen 117)                            
      	  After extra-time                             
    
                                                                       
    
    A controversial penalty three minutes from the end of extra-time deprived 
    Leicester of a chance of extending Chelsea to the shoot-out which was the 
    least they deserved. 
    
    Referee Mike Reed, who cautioned 11 players, saved his most contentious 
    decision to the last, deciding Matt Elliott had fouled substitute 
    Erland Johnsen, who had exchanged passes with Gianluca Vialli on a
    50-yard dash into the Leicester area. 
    
    Frank Leboeuf stuck the penalty away and the FA Cup favourites now face a 
    quarter-final against Portsmouth. But it was more than rough justice on 
    Leicester, even though their American goalkeeper Kasey Keller had kept them
    in this fifth-round replay with a string of excellent saves in the extra
    period. 
    
    It hadn't taken much to raise Leicester to the formidable challenge they 
    faced at Stamford Bridge, a mission given greater conviction after the 
    disdain with which Chelsea greeted the 2-2 draw in the opening game 10 days
    ago. 
    
    After the London side had tossed away a two-goal advantage, manager 
    Ruud Gullit said the outcome merely flattered the home side. 
    
    To that, Leicester's Martin O'Neill took wounded offence. He promised that 
    his first team could be on show for this replay, suspensions having robbed 
    him at Filbert Street of four of the young cubs he was attempting to forge 
    into fully-fledged Foxes. 
    
    So Emile Heskey, Muzzy Izzet, Neil Lennon and Elliott were restored as 
    Leicester sought to build on the Cup success trail which stood at nine 
    matches before hostilities were resumed. 
    
    Gianfranco Zola on Dennis Wise's shoulders would barely reach the top of 
    Steve Walsh's head. The combined muscular strength of the two of them would
    barely equal Heskey, affectionately known to Leicester supporters as Bruno. 
    
    There is nothing statuesque about this vibrant young England Under-21 
    player, who illustrated his versatility by starting last night as the 
    left-sided wing back, put there by O'Neill in an attempt to arrest the 
    forward surges of Dan Petrescu. It didn't take long for the young man to 
    make his presence felt. 
    
    This wasn't simply a replay pitching brains and brawn, although Heskey's 
    challenge on Zola after three minutes, taking the Italian's legs away from 
    him crudely from behind, not only brought an immediate caution but must 
    have shook every bone in Zola's little body Leicester, by then, had already
    been served notice of the power of Chelsea's positive thinking. Wise
    and Roberto Di Matteo combined with the kind of quality first touch
    exemplified by their manager but Mark Hughes needed two of his own which 
    gave Spencer Prior the chance to execute a superb covering tackle. 
    
    The momentum was clearly Chelsea's. Leicester should have been forewarned 
    of Di Matteo's shooting power after his opening goal in the first match but
    they allowed him to cut inside after 10 minutes and his right-footed effort
    was just a yard too high. 
    
    Zola's diagonal pass then picked out Eddie Newton, who side-stepped one 
    challenge and laid a ball back into Di Matteo's path for a shot which Prior
    deflected wide. 
    
    Leicester's attacking bursts were sporadic and insipid. The closest they 
    went was in the last minute when Elliott's header was cleared off the line 
    by Frank Leboeuf. 
    
    

    
    Martin O'Neill is not to be disciplined for his attack on the ref. who
    made the disgusting decision on Wednesday.
    
    The F.A. took into consideration the passion of the tie, and the fact
    that his comments were not personal or aimed at Mike Reed. Also Reed
    did not mention them in his match report.
    
    Neal.
    
    

    Surely in cases like this, where tv evidence clearly proves that
    Johnsen dived, the player should be done for bringing the game into
    disrepute. It happened when Deano punched that Southampton player and
    the ref missed it, so why not here. Cheating like that is at least as
    serious as punching someone.
    
    Even if that fails, surely any right minded manager would fine the
    player involved, or, even better, send them on a free transfer to the
    team they robbed. 8-)
    
    Mike
    

    
    I agree, but we don't want cheating b!@#$%^s at Filbert St. so we
    wouldn't have him anyway.
    
    Neal.
    

Perhaps they could loan him to a german side so he can learn the famed 
"Klinsman(sp?) dive", 8-)))))))



Cheers

Mad

    
    
    Sour grapes....etc these things have a habit of levelling out at the
    end of the season....
    
    The question has to be asked why did Leicester let  him run 50 yrds ??
    
    Anyway this time next week we'll all be laughing about it...;-)
    
    Pj

    
    O'Neill is to be charged by the FA for bringing the game into 
    disrepute. 
    
    Richard.

    
    Oh no he isn't. read .41, he has been told that he will not be charged,
    due to the 'passion of the game', and that his comments were made in
    the heat of the moment and also that the referee has not made a
    complaint about the comments.
    
    Neal.
    

    Owning to my ignorance I do not no who City are playing this week, so I
    would be gratefull if someone could fill me with the opposition and any
    team news.
    
    Neal, is there been nothing worth sticking in here from the Internet. 
    I appreciate as much information as possible on Leicester as I cant get
    a copy of the Mercury everyday to keep me up to date.
    
    Mark.

    >> Sour grapes....etc these things have a habit of levelling out at the
    >> end of the season....
    
       Like you get to three minutes from Wemberleee every season!?!? I
    never had you down as an advocate of Karmic influence, Pj.
    
    
    
    
    
    				Stretch.
    
    
    PS - What was Hullitt on about when he said he didn't see anything? If
    I was Johnson's manager I would have had my eyes glued to him as he
    surged off up the pitch, wondering what the bloody hell he thought he
    was doing!

    BTW Mark, Leicester are away to the Wombles on Saturday. 
    
    A little annoying 'cos I'm in Leicester on Saturday myself and might
    have gone to Filbert St if the game was being played there.
    
    
    
                         Stretch.

    
re .47
    
>    Oh no he isn't. read .41, he has been told that he will not be charged,
>    due to the 'passion of the game', and that his comments were made in
>    the heat of the moment and also that the referee has not made a
>    complaint about the comments.
    
    I did read .41 but it's out of date. 
    
    The BBC reported this morning that he was being charged.
    
    Richard.
    

    
    Mark,
    
    	You wanted a list of the City squad, here is the latest list I
    have.
    
    26 - Stuart Campbell
    9  - Steve Claridge
       - Andy Dodds
    18 - Matthew Elliot
    2  - Simon Grayson
       - Justin Harrington
    11 - Emile Heskey
    14 - Colin Hill
    6  - Mustafa Izzet
    15 - Pontus Kaamark
    13 - Kasey Keller
    21 - Jamie Lawrence
    7  - Neil Lennon
    22 - Neil Lewis
    20 - Ian Marshall
    23 - Sam McMahon
    10 - Garry Parker
    1  - Kevin Poole
    17 - Spencer Prior
    19 - Lee Quincey
    12 - Mark Robins
    14 - Franck Rolling
       - Kevin Skeldon
    8  - Scott Taylor
    19 - Robert Ullathorne
    5  - Steve Walsh (captain)
    4  - Julian Watts
    27 - Stephen Wenlock
    3  - Mike Whitlow
    25 - Stuart Wilson
        

    
    OK, OK. Iv'e calmed down at bit now, now lets get away from the subject
    of Wednesdays defeat and concentrate on whats left.
    
    We have an important league game on Saturday away at Wimbledon, a game
    we need to win, well more importantly not lose. City have got to forget
    about Wednesday and lift themselves back up for this game.
    
    I know its an old cliche but now we can concentrate on premiership
    survival, we have some tough games coming up now which we must do well
    in if we are going to stay in the Premiership. By that I mean we
    mustn't lose any of them. I know its nice to win them but we mustn't
    lose them.
    
    We still have to play Chelsea in the league at Stamford Bridge, so we
    can exact our revenge then, which I think will be a bit of a grudge
    match. Lets hope it doesn't get to be too much of a grudge match.
    
    MATCHES LEFT:
    
    MARCH:
    
    1  - WIMBLEDON(a)
    5  - ASTON VILLA(h)
    8  - COVENTRY(a)
    15 - MIDDLESBOROUGH(h)
    22 - SOUTHAMPTON(a)
    
    APRIL:
    
    5  - SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY(h)
    12 - ARSENAL(a)
    19 - CHELSEA(a)
    23 - WEST HAM(h)
    
    MAY:
    
    3  - MANCHESTER UNITED(h)
    11 - BLACKBURN(a)
    
    TBA: EVERTON
    
    

    Thanks for the squad Neal.  One question which I have not had answered. 
    Frank Rolling - Good or bad?
    
    Any other information will be greatfully received.  My uncle sends me
    up programmes but he does not go to as many games now, although he did
    get me a Anniversary book signed by Gary Linekar, Alan Smith and some
    old City players I didnt really no much about.
    
    Cheers
    
    Mark.

    
    Leicester have signed Steve Guppy from Port Vale for �850,000.
    
    MON is also looking at Norwich City midfielder Andy Johnson, he is
    looking at splashing out �1.5 million.
    
    More good news, Steve Claridge only dislocated his shoulder on
    Wednesday, but he is still doubtful for tomorrow.
    
    Neal.
    

    
    
    
    That F!@#$%g idiot Mike Reed is to referee the City v Chelsea league
    match next month. Is someone at the FA trying to incite a riot or what?
    Surely the best thing to do would be to replace him for this match.
    Don't they realise that this match could be something of a grudge
    match? with City out to prove that they should of at least had a chance
    of a penalty shoot-out.
    
    Grumble, Grumble, Moan, Whinge!!!
    
    Neal.

    
    	 Wimbledon               (0) 1 Leicester               (3) 3 FT
         Holdsworth 66                 Elliott 17,27
                                       Robins 32
    
    
    Leicester, romping into a three-goal interval lead, comfortably took all 
    three points despite a rousing second half display by Wimbledon at 
    Selhurst Park. 
    
    This was indeed a match of two completely different halves. Leicester, 
    determined to erase the memory of their unfortunate FA Cup defeat at 
    Chelsea in midweek, dominated the first half after Dean Holdsworth had a 
    shot cleared off the line by Scott Taylor in the fifth minute. 
    
    Wimbledon, playing without Vinnie Jones, Oyvind Leonhardsen, Efan Ekoku and
    Marcus Gayle, were torn apart by repeated Leicester raids and after 17
    minutes the Midlanders went ahead. 
    
    A corner taken by Muzzy Izzet from the left was deflected towards the far 
    post where Matt Elliott, with all the time in the world, hammered the ball 
    into the net from close in. 
    
    Ten minutes later after Neil Sullivan had saved well from Emile Heskey, 
    Leicester scored again with an almost identical goal. This time Steve Walsh
    flicked on a corner and Elliott, standing almost on the goal-line, had only
    to prod the ball home. 
    
    Then, after 32 minutes Heskey gathered a through ball from Spencer Prior 
    and pulled it back from the by-line for Mark Robins to lose his marker and 
    put the ball passed Sullivan. 
    
    That was the first half but in the second, with Mick Harford coming on for 
    Andy Clarke, Wimbledon living up to their reputation of never giving up,
    attacked almost incessantly. 
    
    Jon Goodman headed against the post after 54 minutes before Holdsworth 
    pulled a goal back with a great left foot shot in the 66th minute after 
    Harford had headed the ball down.
    
    Wimbledon piled on the pressure but Leicester, helped by good defending and
    a little good fortune, refused to conceded another goal. 
    
    It was hardly a happy omen for Wimbledon who have now played Leicester 
    three times in six weeks and have lost two league games and drawn 0-0 in 
    the first leg of the Coca-Cola Cup semi-final at Filbert Street. 
    
    Now they have to meet Leicester again in the second leg at Selhurst Park 
    in ten days and will hope to have a stronger team and a far better opening 
    half.
    
    
    This should almost assure Leicester of Premiership survival, all we
    have to do now is not lose the remaining games, and we will be there
    next season.
     

    
    I have just read this article in the Super Goals supplement in the Sun.
    
    			PENALTY REF SAYS SORRY
    
    Referee Mike Reed has apologised to Leicester manager Martin O'Neill in
    a surprise telephone call.
    
    Reed rang the Leicester manager, who called his controversial FA Cup
    penalty decision at Chelsea last week a disgrace.
    
    He told O'Neill he could have been wrong for giving the penalty when
    Chelsea's Erland Johnsen went down under pressure from Matt Elliott and
    Spencer Prior.
    
    O'Neill said" It was big of him to do it".
    
    The Leicester chief has now closed the book on his row with
    Warwickshire official Reed.
    
    He has no complaints about him taking charge of Leicester's Premiership
    game at Stamford Bridge next month.
    
    O'Neill also says he does not want to see the introduction of monitors
    on the side of the pitch to help referees make decisions.
    
    He added "I did not come into this game to have decisions made by
    technology."
                

    
    re .55
    
    > More good news, Steve Claridge only dislocated his shoulder on
    > Wednesday, but he is still doubtful for tomorrow.
    
    Speaking from experience, I would hesitate to describe this injury as
    "good news" or "only a dislocation". If it was a full dislocation, I
    doubt if Claridge will be available for around six weeks; do you know
    if he has had the injury before?
    
    Jeff
    

    Off IRN.........
    
    
    Leicester City fans are suing the F-A over the hotly disputed 
    penalty awarded against their team, in last week's Cup tie at Chelsea.
    
    They're seeking damages and expenses after one supporter missed
    two days work because he was so upset by the ref's decision.
    
    

    > They're seeking damages and expenses after one supporter missed
    > two days work because he was so upset by the ref's decision.
      
    Hahahahahahahahahahaha.
    
    Is all of Leicester this wimpy, or is just this individual cream puff?  

    Nice to see a note on the Foxes!
    
    Martin O'Niell is obviously one of the most talented managers around.
    
    He's managed to make a very competitive team from quite meagre
    resources. Including the very wonderful Steve Claridge whom I saw play
    for Luton a few times (why we sold him back to Cambridge I'll never
    know or understand). He always reminds me of a slightly smaller more
    versatile Steve Bull and we'd have him back at Luton any day!
    
    Anyway hope you get something out of this season, even if it is at
    Wimbledon's expense, as its always great to see the self-appointed big
    clubs getting their comeupance!
    
    Guppy should also be a good buy, he's been poorly used in league
    football (he went to Newcastle the year Wycombe made the league, I
    think) and he has never had the opportunity to make the contribution
    and score the goals that he did in the Conference, perhaps MON will
    rectify that.
    
    Guy

    Off IRN ....
    
    
          The referee who gave Chelsea a controversial penalty against 
          Leicester City in the FA Cup will not take charge when the two
          sides meet again.
    
          Football officials have dropped him in favour of another ref to 
          avoid trouble.
    
    

    Any chance of a match report on last nights superb win over Judas and
    Co. please.
    
    Mark.

    Oi, less of the Judas. 8-)
    
    You were lucky to catch us still in the heady euphoria of Sunday's win.
    It's not as though you beat us every pigging time we meet or anything.
    Harrumph.
    
    Mike

    Anyway please oblige and tell me if City are now above Leeds in the
    Premiership, or if it is possible a full league table.
    
    Cheers
    Mark.
    

    Leicester are 9th with the flock close behind on 10th.
    
    
    
    
                          Stretch.

    
    
    	
    
    
            LEICESTER CITY        1-0    ASTON VILLA        
            Claridge (66)                                   
    
    
    
                                          By John Burton 
    
    Steve Claridge, the man who epitomises Leicester's fighting spirit,
    grabbed the goal to give his side a memorable Premiership double over 
    high-riding Midland rivals Aston Villa. 
    
    Claridge, a half-time substitute for Mark Robins, brought the game to life 
    after 66 minutes after defender Matt Elliott - Leicester's record 
    �1.6million signing from Oxford - had twice terrorised the Villa defence. 
    
    Mark Bosnich did well to parry a stinging drive from Elliott and then had 
    to be equally as alert to beat out a header. But when Elliott forced 
    Villa's Australian goalkeeper into a third save from another header, 
    Claridge dashed in to net from close range. 
    
    Villa's ambitions to move above Newcastle into fourth place in the 
    Premiership suddenly faded and even leading marksman Dwight Yorke couldn't 
    find his touch in front of goal. 
    
    Emile Heskey and Ugo Ehiogu were involved in a muscular contest down the 
    middle and eventually the Villa defender was booked by referee Graham Poll 
    for a too robust challenge. 
    
    These days Leicester are no pushovers and manager Martin O'Neill has 
    installed so much belief in his men that they are never over-awed by the 
    big-city clubs. 
    
    They have already gained a 3-1 victory at Villa Park and in six days will 
    contest the second leg of the Coca-Cola Cup semi-final at Wimbledon with a 
    Wembley place the prize for the winner. 
    
    Yorke was given the chance to add to his season's total of 17 goals when 
    strike partner Savo Milosevic picked him out in the box but Villa's leading
    scorer saw his shot superbly blocked by Leicester captain Steve Walsh. 
    
    Leicester were restricted to two long-range efforts from Mussy Izzet and 
    Neil Lennon. 
    
    The best opening in the first half fell to Villa after 37 minutes.
    Mark Draper's free kick drifted harmlessly into the box but Heskey made a 
    hash of the clearance and Ian Taylor should have punished the home team. 
    
    Instead he could only stab the ball across the box and Ehiogu was unable to
    take advantage. 
    
    O'Neill sent a provacative message to Wolves boss Mark McGhee in his 
    programme notes. O'Neill asked fans not to barrack Villa boss Brian Little,
    one of his predecessors in the manager's chair at Filbert Street, but then 
    said: 'What you wish to do if and when Mark McGhee visits us with Wolves 
    is entirely at your own discretion.' 
    
    O'Neill took over at Leicester when McGhee quit for Wolves. It is the sort 
    of statement that could come back to haunt the Irishman and would surely 
    be frowned upon by the Football Association. 
    

    
    
    
              COVENTRY CITY           0-0    LEICESTER CITY
    
    
    
                                           
    
    Leicester ended a run of seven successive defeats in this corresponding 
    fixture with a hard-earned point which increased Coventry's relegation fears. 
    
    And few could deny Martin O'Neil's hard-working team some reward for their 
    performance in an uninspiring afternoon. 
    
    Coventry needed the points more than their Midlands rivals but rarely 
    looked like breaking down an opposition defence that was so well organised 
    that Kasey Keller had one of the easiest afternoons of the season. 
    
    His opposite number Steve Ogrizovic was given scarcely more to worry about 
    but if any side was going to win a contest which had a 'scoreless draw' 
    stamped on it from a very early stage then Leicester looked the more 
    likely. 
    
    They have proved on several occasions this season against more illustrious 
    opposition than Gordon Strachan's lowly placed side what a difficult outfit
    they are to overcome. Their covering, closing down and levels of 
    concentration ensured that Coventry could settle into no fluent pattern of 
    attacking during the game. 
    
    Ironically, Coventry's best chance came after only 18 seconds when
    Gary McAllister sent Darren Huckerby through for a clear chance on goal 
    only for the former Newcastle striker to lose control at the vital second 
    allowing Keller to bundle the ball away. Was that to be the prelude for a 
    feast of attacking football? Sadly no. 
    
    Huckerby did produce one flashing effort in the 32nd minute which was 
    inches wide of a post but Keller was never reallY troubled again. 
    
    Indeed as the frustration of the home fans audibly increased in the
    second half Leicester had the chances to snatch victory. O'Neill pulled off
    both strikers Emile Heskey and Mark Robins in the second half, possibly in 
    preparation for Tuesday night's crucial Coca-Cola Cup semi-final second leg
    at Wimbledon but, although he had Steve Claridge on the bench, chose to play
    with two midfield players, Scott Taylor and Jamie Lawrence as his 
    replacement attackers. 
    
    Taylor, in fact, could have been a hero had he accepted two of the game's 
    most clear-cut chances. But when Robins cut the ball back to him 15 yards 
    out Taylor's first-time shot went wide with Ogrizovic struggled to cover 
    and when Steve Guppy dropped an inviting centre into the goalmouth Taylor 
    headed over the bar. 
    
    But it was that kind of afternoon. Plenty of hussle and bustle but little 
    class and no finishing quality. 
    
    
    

    
    
     
    
                 Up to and including Saturday, March 8 1997 
    
   Pos. Team                  Played   Won Drawn Lost  For  Against  Points
    
   1. 	Manchester United       29     16    9    4     57    33       57  
   2. 	Arsenal                 30     15    9    6     49    26       54  
   3. 	Liverpool               28     15    8    5     46    21       53  
   4. 	Newcastle United        27     14    6    7     51    31       48  
   5. 	Aston Villa             29     13    7    9     35    27       46  
   6. 	Sheffield Wednesday     28     11   12    5     37    32       45  
   7. 	Wimbledon               27     12    8    7     39    32       44  
   8. 	Chelsea                 27     11   10    6     42    38       43  
   9. 	Leeds United            29     11    6   12     24    31       39  
   10. 	Leicester City          28     10    7   11     33    38       37  
   11. 	Tottenham Hotspur       28     10    5   13     34    38       35  
   12. 	Everton                 29      8    9   12     36    43       33  
   13. 	Blackburn Rovers        27      7   11    9     28    26       32  
   14. 	Derby County            29      7   11   11     31    44       32  
   15. 	Sunderland              29      8    8   13     25    39       32  
   16. 	Coventry City           30      6   12   12     26    39       30  
   17. 	Nottingham Forest       29      6    9   14     24    45       27  
   18. 	Southampton             27      6    7   14     37    46       25  
   19. 	West Ham United         27      6    7   14     24    37       25  
   20. 	Middlesbrough           27      6    7   14     37    49       22  
                 * Middlesbrough deducted three points for failing to field
    team
    
    

    
    Well, the big game for us is here. 
    
    Can we beat the Dons for a 3rd time this season? Mmm, interesting, even
    as Leicester supporter I'm not quite sure. We have a few injury
    problems with Heskey and Claridge the most significant ones, and also
    with Marshall, Elliot and Guppy cup tied, then team selection is a bit
    more difficult for MON. 
    
    Wimbledon must be a bit more confident tonight as they were in the
    league. But as they found out in the 1st leg, we have plenty of the
    'Crazy Gang' spirit as well.
    
    As for the result, like I said I'm not sure, but in my heart I hope for
    a Leicester win, either way I think it will only be by the odd goal.
    
    Here's hoping for a good match and good luck to both teams.
    
    Neal.
    

    
    
    
            WIMBLEDON               1-1    LEICESTER CITY     
            Gayle (23)                     Grayson (53)       
        (After extra-time; Leicester City win on the away goal)
    
                                                                   
    
    Leicester, who felt cheated out of FA Cup glory at Chelsea two weeks ago, 
    produced a stoic display last night to frustrate Wimbledon's double assault
    on the Twin Towers this season. 
    
    It looked as though Marcus Gayle's first-half goal, his 13th of the season,
    would guide the Dons to the Coca-Cola Cup Final but a Simon Grayson 
    equaliser and some goalkeeping heroics by Kasey Keller kept this semi-final
    second leg on a knife edge. 
    
    Wimbledon manager Joe Kinnear had laughed off suggestions that his team 
    might be tired after the physical and mental exploits 48 hours earlier when
    they had disposed of Sheffield Wednesday to reach the FA Cup semi-finals. 
    
    It took his players just one minute to confirm they were determined not to 
    miss this opportunity to guarantee themselves at least one visit to Wembley
    this season. 
    
    Against Wednesday they had played a game of containment, but here they were
    back on borrowed turf doing what they know best. Going for the jugular. 
    
    From the off they ran at Leicester with vigour and verve, giving notice of 
    their intent when Neil Ardley danced down the right straight from the 
    kick-off and swept over a low cross. 
    
    Robbie Earle, who in many ways has replaced Vinnie Jones as Wimbledon's 
    spiritual leader, met the centre with a stinging first-time shot from 
    13 yards. 
    
    It required immaculate instincts by Keller to parry the low drive. 
    Efan Ekoku pounced on the loose ball but Steve Walsh read the situation and
    was in place to clear off the line. 
    
    Such an incisive attacking wave set the tempo. A month ago in the first leg
    the teams had battled out a grim goalless draw. But in this game it seemed 
    only a matter of time before Wimbledon would break the deadlock. 
    
    They did so in the 23rd minute when Julian Watts sliced a clearance 
    straight at Jones. He fed Gayle hovering down the left flank with the 
    minimum of fuss. 
    
    The winger-turned-striker found himself in familiar old territory and it 
    seemed he decided to whip the ball across the face of the Leicester goal. 
    
    That's what Keller anticipated anyway, and in doing so left his near post 
    unguarded. It was thus a mixture of delight and surprise as Gayle saw his 
    fierce left-foot delivery flash into the back of the net. 
    
    Two weeks ago Leicester had gone to Selhurst Park and chiselled out an 
    impressive 3-1 Premiership victory but, having suffered the setback of 
    Gayle's speculative shot, found it hard to make an impression. 
    
    They constantly looked towards the explosive pace of Emile Heskey to give 
    them an attacking outlet but in one defining moment the powerful teenage 
    striker was stopped in his tracks by a Chris Perry tackle straight out of 
    the Bobby Moore book of defending. 
    
    On the one occassion Heskey did manage to wriggle an opening prior to the 
    interval, when he set up Simon Grayson, Dons goalkeeper Neil Sullivan, 
    unlike Keller, had his front post well covered and collected the angled 
    shot with composure. 
    
    It seemed as if Wimbledon were well set, but they allowed their
    concerntration to slip eight minutes after the interval when Gary Parker 
    floated over a free-kick. 
    
    Grayson was left unmarked as he moved in on the blindside and this time his
    execution, a diving header, was too much for Sullivan as he headed what 
    turned out to be the decisive goal. 
    

    
    So we play Middlesboro in the FINAL at Wembley, we also play them on
    Saturday. It should be a great day, I'm just hoping I can get a couple
    of tickets, but trying to get through to the Leicester ticket office is
    a nightmare, then I suppose not being a season ticket holder I'll be
    right at the back of the queue. But lets hope that the powers that be
    allocate a reasonable amount of tickets to both clubs, I mean was does
    Wembley hold 70000-75000, sensibly that should be 35000 to both teams,
    but realistically it'l be more like 30000 each. What I would like to
    know is what happens to the rest of the tickets they don't supply to
    the teams? and why can't you buy tickets from Wembley? I've already
    rung the Wembley ticket office and they told me I have to go through
    the club, which is a bit difficult when you live miles away from the
    club.
    
    And no smart arse answers like "move" thank you.
    
    

    >> What I would like to know is what happens to the rest of the tickets
    >> they don't supply to the teams?
    
       You could try Mr B.Charlton, Old Trafford. Arf!
    
    Actually, I think you will find that corporate events, and such like,
    will take a percentage of the remainder. Sad isn't it?
    
    
    
    			Stretch.

Traditionally, the League Cup Final has always been a better deal for fans 
than the FA Cup Final, where a large proportion of the tickets goes to clubs 
and people affiliated to the FA.

But if Leicester and Boro get 30k each, I don't really see how you can 
complain about there not being enough for the "real fans" - approximately how 
many are there? Now, if it was Newcastle (or M. or L, or A, or...)

grahame

    
    For those that are interested, Leicester have been allocated 32000
    tickets for Wembley, they range from 26 quid upto 86 quid, also they go
    on general sale on Sat 29 March. You can also apply by post but they
    advise you to include a cheque upto the maximum amount you wish to
    spend on the tickets.
    
    The actual range is 26, 32, 38, 44, 50. The ticket Office advised me to
    send them a cheque for say 38 pounds and state that I would like either
    the 26, 32 or 38 pound tickets and they will try and send you the
    cheapest available upto the maximum you state, and the Club will refund
    the difference.
    
    There are 10500 seson ticket holders and they are only entitled to 1
    ticket each, I do not know how many members there are but the Ticket
    Office reckon there will be plenty left for general sale.
    
    If you are going for tickets good luck.
    
    Neal.
    
    

    
    Sorry gave you duff gen
    
    Ticket prices are 26,32,38,42,48.
    
    My apologies.
    
    Neal
    

    I read this string with interest as an American fan --how is Keller
    viewed as a keeper and how does he rate among the others in the Premier
    League?
    
    regards
    rick

    
    
    AN injury-time equaliser by Teddy Sheringham robbed Leicester City of the 
    win that would surely have sealed their Premiership survival at 
    Filbert Street last night. 
    
    Steve Claridge gave City the lead in the 73rd minute as City began to 
    emerge as the stronger side.
    
    He rounded off a great move with Ian Marshall crossing from the left for 
    Neil Lennon to turn the ball back for Claridge to net from close range. 
    
    That looked to be enough as the game entered its closing stages and, with 
    three minutes left, Claridge had the chance to make sure. But unaccountably
    he turned the ball over from barely six yards out.  
    
    What a vital miss that proved to be as, in injury time, Spurs launched 
    their final attack. City could not clear properly and the ball was fed in 
    again for Sheringham to head home from six yards. 
    
    There was barely time to restart the game but City did have a last-gasp 
    free-kick which was cleared seconds before the final whistle.
    
    It was still one point to the cause but, instead of being a small step,
    this should have been a giant stride towards Martin O'Neills short term
    target, easing the Premiership pressure before City go to Wembley.
    
    City welcomed back Emile Heskey in attack but Marshall went to the
    defensive spot vacated by Julian Watts with skipper Steve Walsh still
    struggling with his groin injury.
    
    City offered the first threat as Simon Grayson found space on the right
    to send the ball in for Claridge but Colin Calderwood stepped in to
    clear the danger.
    
    They were denied a second-minute lead when a shot by Marshall stuck
    under Heskey's foot about 10 yards from goal but the ball broke loose
    and Ian Walker gathered.
    
    But the promising start fizzled out and the visitors started to look
    dangerous, a slick move sending Allan Nielsen through the middle. He would 
    have gone clear but for a superbly-timed tackle by Elliott.
    
    The rearguard was beginning to look shaky and David Howells, up from
    the back, should have hit the target but blasted well wide from just inside
    the area. 
    
    City had a lucky escape when, after more good work on the right, Sheringham
    turned the ball towards goal from close range. The ball struck the inside 
    of the left-hand post and rebounded across goal where Grayson did well to 
    get out of the way of it, avoiding an own-goal, and somehow City cleared 
    their lines.
    
    Towards the break City started to get themselves together and, from a
    Grayson pass, Heskey cut in from the right for a left-foot strike which had
    the power but not the direction, being straight at Walker. 
    
    The injured Howells was replaced by Jason Dozzell and City pressed
    forward again, the half ending with Muzzy Izzet trying a couple of shots 
    from the edge of the area, the first one being blocked with the second 
    badly off-target.
    
    The second half was better for City and they emerged as the more likely
    winners after establishing a grip on midfield, especially through 
    Garry Parker. 
    
    With Elliott strong at the back, they thought they were set fair when 
    Claridge grabbed that late lead. 
    
    The only thing marring their evening was Heskey limping off to be
    replaced by Julian Watts. 
    
    Marshall switched up-front to do well and have a hand in the goal before 
    he, too, was replaced by Robins. 
    
    But City allowed Spurs back into their territory and, when that fateful
    last pass was pumped into the area, the ball was not cleared and they paid 
    the price. 
    
    So it is still a case of nearly but not quite for that safety mark.
    
    But, even in disappointment of such a late blow, City know they are
    really not that far away.
    
    
    

    
    re .78
    
    IMHO, Keller is not a bad keeper at all. The only thing that concerns
    me, as a City supporter, is his apparent lack to actually command his
    area in the way that Schmeical does at ManU. But when it comes to shot
    stopping he is very good.
    
    Mind you Leicester do seem to be able to find the decent keepers, apart
    from Kevin Poole, who I think is a bit of a waste of space but that is
    just my opinion.
    
    It would be interesting to read what other people think of him as a
    player not just because he plays for Leicester.
    
    

    As I only get to see Keller when ever Sky Sports feature Leicester I am
    not in the best of postions to comment, but from what I have seen he
    seems to be reasonably sound.  On the other hand I had the misfortune
    to see Kevin Poole and he really is crap.  The worrying thing is that
    because of International commitments Keller might not be available for
    the Cup Final which means Poole could be in.
    
    What are the opinions on Matt Elliot as from what I seem he looks like
    a really good prospect, the same can be said too about Neil Lennon who
    has been tremendous nearly every time I see him.
    
    Mark.

Re .79, Nigel, do you write all of this stuff yourself? If yes,
congratulations, it seems a pretty good copy of sports journalese! If not,
shouldn't you give credit to the writer? 

Cheers,

grahame

    Grahame, if you check back you will see that Neal's reports are from
    the Internet and the one in question is probably the first that has not
    started with: Off the IRN.
    
    I am very grateful for these reports as I do not get much info on City
    up here in Ayr.  It would be impressive if he did write them himself
    though.
    
    Mark.
    

    
    Just for Grahame!!
    
    Report from Page 33 of todays SUN, by Neil Curtis :-)
    
    Martin O'Neill will sign a new 3 1/2 year contract after being handed a
    #10 Million transfer kitty.
    
    Lets hope he spends it wisely, I know he has spent what little he has
    had very well. Heres one City fan who hopes we now get some 'names'
    into the squad and are real contenders for a European place next year.
    
    Neal.
    

    I see on Teletex that City say that Heskey is not going to be leaving
    Filbert St, despite interest from Liverpool and Celtic.  It is about
    time City tried to hold on to there young talent, as they have been
    used as a feeder club for the bigger teams (Mainly Villa) over the past
    few seasons. 
    
    I also heard a little about the floatation of the club.  They are believed to be
    valued at �40 million when there share issue is raises.
    
    Have you a Cup Final ticket Neal?
    
    Mark.
    

    
    Unfortunately no!. They go on general sale on Saturday 29 March, and
    I'm at bloody work so I'll not be able to get up there and get one.
    Also it is not allowed to buy one from Wembley itself, but I will be
    trying to get one. If not I'll have to go over the pub and watch it on
    Sky. Anyway heres hoping!!
    
    

    
    From the pages of English Soccernet.
    
    
    
      SOUTHAMPTON             2-2    LEICESTER CITY
      Ostenstad (32)                 Heskey (46)   
      Van Gobbel (48)                Claridge (70) 
    
    
    
    The good news from the South Coast is that Matthew Le Tissier finished the 
    game full of running, brimming with health and apparently ready to do duty 
    for England next week. 
    
    The bad news is that the Southampton captain seems condemned to go down 
    with his ship. 
    
    After spending 24 hours at the centre of a bizarre dispute between
    Glenn Hoddle and his club manager Graeme Souness, Le Tissier took his team 
    within touching distance of three crucial points at the Dell. 
    
    But Leicester were always a factor in a curiously uneven match, and their 
    refusal to be counted out of a contest which was of only marginal relevance
    to their season, may finally have broken Southampton's fragile back. 
    
    The first half-hour was dire beyond belief. Leicester, with little to play 
    for, were rarely more than indifferent while Southampton, although having 
    everything to play for, had no clear idea of how to set about it. 
    
    The firm surface and capricious wind made demands on technique which both 
    sides were ill equipped to answer and the laboured nature of the approach 
    work ensured that two vulnerable defences would enjoy a serene existence. 
    
    The long-suffering home crowd eventually resorted to shameless 
    pleading: 'Have a shot, have a shot, have a shot!' they sang. And, against 
    all expectations, their pleas were swiftly answered. 
    
    In the 31st minute Egil Ostenstad worked himself into range and struck his 
    team's first shot of the match, sprawlingly saved by Kevin Poole. 
    
    A minute later, he did rather better. Eyal Berkovic, one of the few
    thoroughbreds on view, found space on the left, took in the situation at a 
    glance and rolled the ball into the feet of Ostenstad. The chance was 
    emphatically accepted. 
    
    Thus relaxed, Southampton began to offer some reasonably controlled 
    football, but their efforts came to grief within a minute of the second 
    half. It was a faintly ludicrous Leicester goal, Steve Claridge
    shooting on the turn from close in, Le Tissier hacking it off the line, 
    Ulrich van Gobbel apparently trying to complete the clearance and the ball 
    striking Emile Heskey before rearing into the net. 
    
    Le Tissier, in his anger, kicked the post and you feared for his fragile 
    limb. 
    
    Yet, improbably, the match was alight. Tension had replaced torpor, people 
    were seeking to express themselves and, within three minutes, Southampton 
    once again found their voice. 
    
    Again, it was something of a pantomime goal; a Le Tissier corner which saw 
    players standing off in the six yard box and allowing van Gobbel a clear, 
    scoring swing. 
    
    By now, everybody was trying to play and the match had enjoyed a welcome 
    change of character. But Leicester had lifted their game significantly, 
    Heskey was discovering interesting space and Southampton did little to 
    advance their cause by mysteriously withdrawing Berkovic. 
    
    The equaliser was unsurprising. Neil Lennon's perseverence won him a ball 
    on the left and he released a sharp cross towards Claridge. The Leicester 
    striker, quite naturally, claimed the goal although there remained a 
    suspicion that Richard Dryden's knee had made the decisive contact. 
    
    No matter. Leicester were level, and Southampton were left to clutch the 
    points which may not be sufficient to save them.
     

    Is it all quiet on the City front?  MON not making the seemingly
    compulsary deadline day signing like all English teams to do at this
    time of the year.
    
    Is City's next game the CC Cup Final?
    
    Mark.

    
    It is all quiet at the moment, as the City players are all in Spain
    having a few days rest and relaxation. But MON has said that he is in
    no rush to sign anybody in particular, but if the right player came up
    at the right price then he would fly back and go for him.
    
    As for the next match, then I believe the next match is the final,
    (still haven't got my ticket yet though).
    
    Neal.

    Can anyone clear something up for me.  I was reading on Teletex that
    Steve Claridge has not gone to Spain with the rest of the team because
    of a medical condition.  He felt the heat might cause him to have a
    attack but I can not remember what the condition was. 
    
    Anyone know?
    
    Mark.

    
    Steve Claridge has a heart and thyroid condition and the strong
    sunshine has an adverse effect on him because of the medication he is
    taking for these conditions.
    
    So lets hope that there isn't that much sunshine next Sunday at
    Wembley.
    
    Still haven't got my ticket.
    Neal.

    Neal
    
    I see today that all the 32,000 tickets are sold out.  Did you get one?
    
    Mark.

    
    NO I BLOODY DIDN'T.
    
    Neal
    

    Bit peeved then???

    
    How come Leicester had 34,000 tickets and you didn't get one? 
    
    Is it on the box?
    
    Richard.

    Its live on Sky Sports 3 but for some obscure reason they are not
    showing it on ITV.  
    
    Mark.

    
    >How come Leicester had 34,000 tickets and you didn't get one?
    
    Because we only had 32000 and I had to apply by post, as I was at work
    on the Saturday the tickets went on general sale. 
    
    Neal
    

    Apparently 90% of the tickets went to "genuine" fans (as it was put by
    various commentry teams) so where did the other 10% go. I realise
    there are corporate events etc but 10% is quite a chunk to deprive the
    fans of.
    
    
    			Stretch.

    
    Why is the replay going to be played at Hillsborough instead of Wembley
    again? Surely the possibility of a replay is taken into consideration
    when arranging the match.
    
    Hillsborough only holds 39,814 which means that each team will only get
    about 16000 tickets. Considering that each team took 32000 fans on
    Sunday, then if the replay cannot be held at Wembley then either Old
    Trafford or Anfield would be a better bet.
    
    Neal.
    

    Neal
    
    I think the reason for Hillsborough being chosen to host the replay is
    because of geographical reasons.  It is really not fair to expect fans
    to travel to London on a week night, so the FA choose a ground closer
    to the citys, although why Old Trafford was not picked god only knows.
    
    Oh before I forget.....One Emile Heskey!!!!!
    
    On the City
    
    Mark.

    
    Kasey Keller is the only doubt for City tonight, as he is still having
    treatment on his dead leg, received in the match against Arsenal. 
    
    Also there is an outside chance that Pontus Kaamark may not be playing
    after his amazing revelations that he "did not the man marking role on
    Juninho" in the match at Wembley, he also said" that it was not moral
    to mark players like that out of the game, and players with the skills
    of Juninho should be allowed a free role" What is the F#$%^&g idiot on?
    Thats the whole reason he was given this job to stop players like
    Juninho playing their game, you give Juninho half a yard and he'll
    murder you.
     
    
    SQUADS CHECK
    
    CITY (from): Keller or Poole; Grayson, Whitlow, Watts, Walsh, Prior, 
    Kaamark, Lennon, Parker, Izzet, Claridge, Heskey, Robins, Lawrence, 
    Rolling, Hill.
    
    BORO (from): Roberts or Schwarzer; Cox, Fleming, Kinder, Pearson, Festa, 
    Vickers, Mustoe, Emerson, Hignett, Juninho, Ravanelli, Beck, Blackmore, 
    Moore, White, Stant.
    
    
    Anyway, lets hope its a better game than Wembley tonight. Mind you, like
    Martin O'Neill, I hope we win 1-0 in a boring game than lose 4-3 in a
    cracking match, like the Newcastle game.
    
    Neal.

    
    From www.soccernet.com
    
        LEICESTER CITY          1-0    MIDDLESBROUGH
        Claridge (100)                              
    
                                                                       
    
    Steve Claridge struck in the 99th minute of this final replay to win the 
    Coca-Cola Cup marathon for Leicester City. 
    
    It looked for all the world as if this protracted affair would be decided 
    by the lottery of a penalty shoot-out when the charismatic striker pounced 
    in extra time, firing home after Steve Walsh had headed down Garry Parker's
    free-kick. 
    
    It was enough to beat weary Middlesbrough and send Leicester into next 
    season's UEFA Cup - the first time they have won a place in European 
    football on their own merit. In 1961, when they lost in the FA Cup Final in
    Tottenham's Double season, they entered the Cup-winners Cup, but this was 
    the first time they had qualified by their own endeavours. 
    
    This was a final long on commitment but short on effect. The two teams, 
    locked at 1-1 after extra time at Wembley 10 days earlier, were as 
    difficult to separate again on a different, distinctly more prosaic stage. 
    
    The arteries to Hillsborough were so clogged - especially from those 
    travelling south from Teesside - that the kick-off had to be delayed a 
    further 15 minutes. Most of us felt we had already waited long enough. 
    Would we be rewarded for a little more patience? Hardly. 
    
    The two teams from the bottom half of the Premiership picked up where they 
    had left off on that sunny Sunday afternoon but at least when battle was 
    rejoined in the same close-quartered combat there was not the apprehension,
    the cloying numbness of the first 45 minutes at Wembley. 
    
    Which was tribute more to Middlesbrough, still trying to come to terms with
    the extraordinary events at Old Trafford at the weekend when Chesterfield 
    from the Second Division all but contrived the gravest embarrassment any 
    Premiership club has endured in FA Cup history. 
    
    Bryan Robson's 10 men survived that afternoon to fight another of the days 
    of football between now and the end of the season which are clogged with 
    crucial matches. 
    
    This was the first of them and an opportunity for Middlesbrough to qualify 
    for Europe for the first time in their history and so, apparently, to 
    secure the future of a few foreign adventurers at the Riverside.
    Juninho has said he will stay at the club if they have the chance of 
    measuring themselves against continental opposition in the UEFA Cup. 
    
    The little man has been phenomenal of late, covering so much ground on the 
    pitch - between exhausting trips to fulfil his commitments back home in 
    Brazil - that he has become an impressive candidate to become England's 
    third foreign Footballer of the Year in succession. 
    
    Staying true to their attitude in the first match, Leicester decided that 
    the best form of defence against the wiles, quick feet and inexhaustible 
    engine of the Brazilian was to cover his every move and, whether he liked 
    it or not, that was the duty of Pontus Kaamark. 
    
    The Swedish international had intimated on Tuesday that such a task was, 
    in some cases, not morally justified so when he was caught ball-watching 
    twice in the opening 10 minutes it appeared he might have taken his 
    personal reservations too much to heart. 
    
    But the timing and precision of Boro's passing was not accurate enough to 
    release Juninho into the areas where he could most benefit from Kaamark's 
    occasional lapses. The Brazilian did manufacture a yard of space in the 
    eighth minute, providing Craig Hignett with the night's first shot of real 
    note, which required a leaping save from Leicester's American goalkeeper, 
    Kasey Keller. 
    
    A minute later, Kaamark's close attention might have had a deadening effect
    on Boro's prospects. Fabrizio Ravanelli's beautiful through ball gave 
    Juninho an opening, promptly closed by Spencer Prior's covering tackle, and
    in his follow-through Juninho suddenly came into an abrupt collision with 
    his marker. 
    
    The reaction of a certain number of Leicester's supporters to referee 
    Martin Bodenham's summons for a stretcher did them and their club little 
    credit. Maybe it was a reaction to the taunting of their side for
    their boring approach to the first game at Wembley, but one would have 
    hoped they could recognise and appreciate a stricken talent. 
    
    Fortunately for the game as a spectacle, Juninho was up and bouncing again 
    a couple of minutes later, even if the sting seemed to have been taken from
    his initial enthusiasm. Indeed, as the first half wore inexorably on, the 
    Midlands side grew in confidence and cohesion, beginning to create a number
    of chances as - understandably in the exhausting circumstances - Boro
    began to look the age they've spent playing cup-ties this season. 
    
    Leicester manager Martin O'Neill had decided to start the replay with 
    Emile Heskey in a far more advanced position, rather than the anonymous, 
    withdrawn display he had given in the first match - his extra-time 
    equaliser notwithstanding. 
    
    A stray ball into Boro's half was headed down by Heskey towards 
    Garry Parker, who unleashed a right-footed shot, forcing Ben Roberts, the 
    England Under 21 goalkeeper, to palm it aside. The loose ends were 
    collected by Mike Whitlow but his driven, angled shot flew wide of the 
    right-hand post. 
    
    Another of Parker's precision passes would have set Heskey up had the 
    striker been able to bring it properly under control but Boro's goal 
    survived a dramatic escape after 38 minutes when Neil Lennon
    released Heskey and his left-footed shot cannoned back into play from the 
    inside of the post. 
    
    Fortunately for Boro, Juninho remained an irrepressible spark. He forced 
    Keller into his second excellent save in the opening half with a 
    right-foot drive and, within a couple of minutes of the second half, he 
    showed he could use his left to equal effect. 
    
    Ravanelli, playing on his own up front, with Hignett and Juninho offering 
    timely support, managed to hold possession under a stiff challenge from 
    Walsh and invite Juninho to try to beat the keeper from the edge of the 
    area. The little man's effort was only a foot too high. 
    
    It was the contention of the Leicester bench that the referee was favouring
    Boro in all the 50-50 challenges. Prior followed Lennon into the book when 
    he fouled Hignett, yet there was just as much intent in Emerson's lunge on 
    the breaking Whitlow, but the referee chose not to reach for his card. 
    
    Izzet became the third Leicester player booked - sparking more indignation 
    from their fans toward referee Martin Bodenham - for a foul on Blackmore. 
    
    Neither side showed any sign of cracking and as the game entered its final 
    15 minutes there was an increasing suspicion that it would be decided on 
    the lottery of penalty kicks. Mercifully, Claridge saved us from that final
    agony.
    
     

    
    So we are through to Europe next year, I hope the likes of AC Milan and
    Juventus are quaking in their boots 'cos Brunos on his way.
    
    Seriously, I know we won't get very far but it will be a great
    experience for the lads, and a good money spinner for the club. The
    news couldn't have come at a better time for Leicester what with the
    flotation this will hopefully give the Shares a boost, and make lots of
    money for the club enabling us to maybe go even further in the League
    next season.
    
    Neal.
    
    

    
    Neal...congratulations on Leicester's cup win.
    
    Curious...when was the last time you won any silverware ?  Also, when
    did you last appear in Euro competition ?
    Just in case anyone jumps in with sarcastic remarks, I genuinely want
    to know.
    
    Trevor

1964?

that was for the silverware...i dont think theyve ever been in europe...

Ian.

    
    Trevor.
    
    Leicester last won some silverware 33 years ago, when we won the League
    Cup in 1963-64 and our last venture into Europe was 35 years ago in 
    1961-62 and we got to the 2nd round, because I think it was the year Spurs 
    did the double. But I'm sure I will be corrected on that if I'm wrong.
    
    Question is now, how will this defeat affect Middlesborough? I think
    they will beat Chesterfield next week, but I don't think they will beat
    Chelsea. So they could end up like Wimbledon and finish with nothing
    but unlike Wimbledon, obviously, they may even be relegated.
    
    In our case I think we only have to beat West Ham and we will
    definately be playing Premier League football next season.
    
    Neal.
    

    
    Neal, thanks for the info.  Actually follow the Leicester results with
    interest since....and I'm gonna go into deep reminiscing mode...
    I was there quite a few times. I was friendly with Martin Henderson
    (hate to admit that...ex-hun and all that %^) ). Got to know bob
    Mackay, Walsh and a few other Scots exiles brought into Filbert St by
    Jock Wallace.  Used to play against Henderson at U-21 level, he played
    with Kirkcaldy YM.....anyhoo, never forget the time we all went to
    Granny's disco-club thingy in town (is it still there ?). Walsh was a
    piece of work...he decided he'd rather go to the bingo than the club
    after we left the pub !! I was amazed....a 1st div player spending his
    weekend nights at a bingo hall playing for a couple of quid !! He was
    no prima-donna !  It went downhill from there though...inside the club
    I was standing shoulder to shoulder with Leicester's famous "rock"
    band.....Showaddy-waddy...(groan).  That lead singer who looked 7ft
    tall on telly turned out to be a 5ft 4in "sand in the face" chap who
    would probably have been beaten up by everyone around him if he didn't
    have some enormous minders lurking around him constantly.
    
    OK...now that everyone knows I'm not 18 any more....I'll finish....
    
    Good luck in Europe...pity you won't met Rangers, that would have been
    an easy ticket to the next round...
    
    Trevor

    
    oh...forgot to mention...Henderson was in deep competition at that time
    with a young "up and coming" striker. You'll remember him by the name
    of Gary Lineker.....
    
    Trevor

    
    Heard on the radio today that Steve Claridge has been told to cancel a
    bet he put on at the start of the season, that ManU would win the
    title, just because we play them on May 3. As if Claridge would
    purposely miss a goal so that he could win money, ridiculous.
    
    Neal.
    

    
    Nothing ridiculous about it Neal....you can't be allowed to bet on
    something where you can have an influence on it's outcome.
    
    Sooner sportsmen are barred from betting on sports the better, just ask
    Lou Macari, Andy Goram and others....
    
    Trevor

    
    What the f#$% is going on??.
    
    We still need another couple of points to be safe and we can't even
    beat West Ham at home. With 3 games left against ManU (home), Sheff Wed
    (home)and finally Blackburn (away), its hard to see where the points are 
    gonna come from. We are getting sucked back into the relegation battle, and
    we should be up in the top of the middle part of the table(if you know what
    I mean).
    
    We should at least get a draw against Blackburn but can we beat ManU, I
    doubt it, can we beat Sheff Wed, I doubt it but we may get a draw. We
    must beat Blackburn its as simple as that.
    
    Neal.
    
      

    
    Do Leicester get to play in Europe if they get relegated? I read 
    somewhere that UEFA had dictated that only Premiership teams could
    qualify from the CocaCola cup?
    
    R.

    
    Leicester v Man United 03/05/97 11.15
    
               Leicester               (2) 2 Man United              (1) 2
    FT
               Walsh 16                      Solskjaer 45,51
               Marshall 20                   
    
    
    
    It could so easily have been 3-3 in the first 20 minutes; instead
    United were stunned to find themselves 2-0 down. 
    
    Ferguson decided not to risk Ryan Giggs and to conserve David Beckham, but
    still went for a bold line-up that involved all four strikers. 
    
    But this time his faith in Andy Cole backfired as his grope for form 
    grasped only frustration again. 
    
    He slipped as he ran clear behind the home back line, then gave Kasey Keller
    a chance to parry his 16-yard shot before drilling his third chance in the 
    first six minutes against the outside of the American's right-hand post. 
    
    United's defence, just as sleepy for this ridiculously-timed encounter 
    dictated by Sky, should have been jolted awake when Coca-Cola Cup replay 
    hero Steve Claridge looped a header from Garry Parker's free-kick only 
    inches wide. 
    
    Then Marshall cursed as his powerful header from Muzzy Izzet's 12th-minute
    hanging cross crashed against the United bar, Pallister clearing. 
    
    But they made it third time lucky from the accurate Parker's deep corner
    from the left which Matthew Elliot could only flick at before it arrived 
    beyond the back post where Steve Walsh launched his third goal of the 
    season with a haymaker of a shot. 
    
    The doughty defender, who had his testimonial last week, has undergone 14
    operations and is currently playing through the pain before another on his
    hernia. 
    
    Cole took the goal personally and reacted by scything through Simon
    Grayson , which was punished by a booking, as was another terrible foul by
    Grayson, tripping Phil Neville in full flight. 
    
    United looked shambolic as Leicester doubled their lead when the defence
    stood statuesque as Marshall danced past the other Neville onto Claridge's
    short pass before crashing a left-foot shot past a shocked Schmeichel. 
    
    United were becoming shambolic at the back, Marshall whistling a shot just
    inches wide as Claridge got round the back. 
    
    Leicester lost Izzet after 32 minutes but they had United arguing amongst
    themselves as they tried to get their act together against a side always 
    first to the ball, often embarrassingly so. 
    
    Schmeichel went full length to stop Marshall and then chased his cross 
    around his box before whipping it away from Claridge, and it was hard to 
    see where United would get back into it. 
    
    But as so often their first goal, a minute before the break, stemmed from a
    save by the Danish colossus, blocking Marshall's header. 
    
    Pallister's clearance to Paul Scholes produced the sort of counter-attack 
    for which United are famed. He found Cole and so ragged had they run the
    Foxes defence that he could pick out Solskjaer with ease to rifle home from
    12 yards. 
    
    The arrival of Beckham for the second half watched by new girlfriend 
    Victoria of the Spice Girls gave United an extra edge and within six
    minutes they levelled, to the anger of the home fans. 
    
    David May's challenge from behind on Claridge might have been punished 
    with a yellow card by some officials, but Mr Wilkie waved play on and 
    United again broke upfield with pace and power. 
    
    Cole was best placed on the edge of the box but Keller beat down his shot, 
    only for Solskjaer to pounce on the rebound and steer it home from six 
    yards. Cries of `Cheat' rained down on Mr Wilkie. 
    
    Cole missed another chance from Beckham's cross but though United were
    now stronger they were still vulnerable and it took a hat-trick of saves 
    from Schmeichel to protect their point. 
    
    He flew to his left in the 63rd minute to touch round Neil Lennon's 
    full-blooded drive from 25 yards and then arched high to touch over 
    Elliott's powerful header from Walsh's 76th-minute free-kick. 
    
    May nearly scored the first recorded own goal in 103 league and cup
    meetings between the clubs when he walloped Elliot's low cross just over the
    United woodwork. 
    
    Then Schmeichel was slow to react but razor-sharp to get down to Marshall's
    header at the base of his post from substitute Steve Guppy's 83rd-minute
    corner.
    
    But United held out and sent both fans into the afternoon sunshine happy
    enough that the season will end as they hoped. 
    

    
    
    
          LEICESTER CITY        1-0    SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY
          Elliott (86)                                    
    
                                                                             
    
    Matt Elliott became the toast of Leicester as he clinched his team's place 
    in the Premiership with an 86th-minute winner at Filbert Street. 
    
    The big defender, who has had an outstanding season since joining the club 
    for �1.5million from Oxford, has never scored a more crucial goal. 
    
    He swivelled on the edge of the area to drive a low right-foot shot into 
    the bottom corner of goalkeeper Kevin Pressman's net. 
    
    The crowd were in raptures at the final whistle and stayed behind as the 
    Coca-Cola Cup winners paraded the trophy. 
    
    Elliott's late winner was a hammer blow to Wednesday, who had hoped to 
    clinch a UEFA Cup place. 
    
    The Leicester players had looked full of tension early on and failed to 
    find the cohesion that caused Manchester United so many problems during the
    first half of their 2-2 draw at the weekend. 
    
    Even the half-time appearance of weekend lottery winner Sean Taylor, 
    watching his favourite club, could not give the team a lift. 
    
    They had managed just five points from their previous nine games and it 
    took them over 25 minutes to shake themselves into life. 
    
    Then captain Steve Walsh ventured forward as Leicester at last showed some 
    urgency but the central defender's header from Garry Parker's curling cross
    flashed inches over after 29 minutes. 
    
    Then central defensive partner Elliott half hit a shot on the edge of the 
    area narrowly wide as Pressman scrambled across his line. 
    
    Wednesday, needing to win to move ahead of Aston Villa into fifth place, 
    suddenly found themselves pushed back and absorbing pressure. David Pleat's
    side had conceded nine goals in their last two games after previously 
    losing just two out of 25 fixtures. 
    
    Andy Booth managed to get away from his Leicester marker early on but his 
    header flashed over the bar and long-range efforts from Booth and Italian 
    Benito Carbone failed to test goalkeeper Kasey Keller seriously. 
    
    Leicester strikers Steve Claridge and Ian Marshall were suffocated by the 
    close marking of Dejan Stefanovic and Des Walker. 
    
    The referee was replaced for the second time in three games at Filbert 
    Street when Gerald Ashby limped off with a calf injury after 34 minutes and
    was replaced by senior linesman David Crick. Roger Dilkes had gone off at 
    half-time when Leicester played West Ham two weeks earlier. 
    
    But the change of official did not bring Leicester any more good fortune 
    but they needed a more measured approach. Leicester's cause was not helped 
    by an injury of their own. Parker did not emerge for the second half and 
    was replaced by Mike Whitlow. 
    
    Wednesday had won on their two previous visits to Leicester and 
    David Pleat's men once again proved hard to break down until Elliott found 
    a way. 
    
    
    

    
    Maybe Tom Smeaton should go and speak to the new Lottery winner Sean
    Taylor for some money for a new player, as he is supposed to be a big
    City fan.
    
    Heavens knows we need some for next season.
    
    Neal.
    

    
    OK where are all the cynical b@#$%^&s now that we have stuffed
    Blackburn 4-2 and consolidated our position in the Premier League for 
    another season. And on top of that even finished in the top half above
    teams with more money than us and bigger wage bills.
    
    Everyone wrote us off before the season started, saying we were odds on
    favourites to go down, so are all these people going to start eating
    humble pie, I doubt it, they will probably be getting ready to write us
    off for next season as well.
    
    Also, I hope that Neil Lennon doesn't go to Chelsea as he is a
    fantastic player and we definately need his talents next season.
    
    The board has got to raise the players wages now after an incredible
    season for us. I also hear that Martin O'Neill is being tipped to win
    the Manager of the Year award, but I s'pose it will go to Ferguson, yet
    again!!, just because he has won the Premier league, yet again!!. I
    don't know who judges on this, but when you consider how MON has done
    this season and with so little money he has got to be in with more than
    just an outside chance.
    
    Another point, I have to agree with the people who say that there is a
    big divide in the Premiership between the top and bottom clubs, with
    the exception of Wimbledon, I mean just look at how many points we
    finished behind Wimbledon, the gap was 9 points. I suppose you could
    say that we were the top of the bottom clubs, if you know what I mean.
    
    Just one last thing,
    			
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    			'ARE YOU WATCHING MARK MCGHEE'
    
    Neal.
    
    

    
The share floatation is now definite, the City board agreed it last
Friday. With the club on just about an all-time high, there couldn't 
possibly be a better time!. The local press (I live in Leicester) 
reckons the float will raise about 35m.

Adding in the increased Sky TV money, EUFA cup etc, it looks like 
Martin O'Neil (if he sees out his current contract - I think he will) 
will have lots to spend next season on new players. Plus, with the club 
doing so well he should have less trouble attracting good players
this time (no more "Ben Thatcher" episodes hopefully). The challenge 
will be to introduce 'big-name' players (relatively speaking) without
damaging the team's now-famous team spirit. So next season should
be just as interesting as the last - any chance of beating 9th spot,
I wonder?.

An up-and-coming issue is ground improvements. Filbert St has one good 
stand (the highly-rated Carling stand, about 3(?) years old). Some of 
the other stands, however, look like sheds and give the club a really 
bad image!. It's the old stands you see on TV as the cameras are mounted 
in the Carling stand. When you watch Heskey, Lennon Claridge et al on TV, the 
backdrop is just the same as when Weller, Worthington and Shilton played 
in the 70s (or even Rod Fern, 'Stringy' and Gordon Banks in the 60s).
Anyway, because they've already spent x-millions on the Carling stand, 
moving grounds (like everyone else is doing now) is an expensive option. 

The club wants to turn the existing ground around. This however involves 
not only knocking down an existing stand, but half of Burnmoor street 
(whose terraced houses are almost set into the stand), and as usual some 
people don't want to move!. How this will all resolve itself I don't know,
maybe City could seel Filbert St to the Tigers??.

Just a thought - I wonder if anyone else out there knows when City last 
scored 4 goals in a premier (or 1st division that was) away match - and 
won! (scored 4 at Villa two years ago but drew 4-4). Beats me, and I can
(almost) remember City beating Man U 6-0 back in the '60s!.

And another thing!!!! - if Chelsea win the FA cup final then they should
send half the cup to Filbert street where it belongs... 

Paul.

PS - I thought the last 3 minutes of Crystal Palace v Wolves (i.e. Mark
Maghee) in last Saturday's play-off match was one of the highlights
of the season (:->).

    

    
    Apparently Leicester City win, and I quote, 1,268,580 quid for 
    finishing 9th in the Premier. Not also of people know that...
    
    Paul.
    
     

What do the rest win then??????

Mad

    
    r.e. .-1, 
    
    Sorry but I don't know, and besides, who cares - this the LCFC notes 
    topic (not the everyone-but-the-LCFC topic (:->)).
    
    Paul.
    

    
    Just read on Soccernet that MON is still favourite for the Everton
    Managers position, and also that Liverpool are still trying to get
    their hands on Heskey. But apparantly, Tom Smeaton has told Everton
    that MON is not available, and MON has again stated that he will see
    out his present contract, which has a year to run.
    
    Also MON has told Liverpool that Heskey is not available. 
    
    So basically, Merseyside can bog off.
    

    
    Hi,
    
    Whilst in the beautiful East Midlands a couple of weeks ago I heard
    Martin O'Neill on local radio doing quite a long interview. The
    conversation was mostly about contracts. Some of his older players look
    to be offered 1 year peanut salaries. He wants Heskey to stay but he
    didn't actually say so which was quite odd (he chose his words rather
    carefully). He seemed quite happy to stay as manager but yet again he
    didn't say "I'll see out my contract".
    
    All in all he sounds a very intelligent bloke and obviously
    instrumental in Leicester's success. I guess the key people will stay
    if the board offers the right financial support and the team does well.
    
    Neil

    
    According to Soccernet.
    
    Leicester's Martin O'Neill is the latest to declare that he has no
    interest in taking over at Goodison Park, preferring to sign a new contract
    at Filbert Street until the year 2000 and lead the Coca-Cola Cup winners 
    into the UEFA Cup next season.
    
    Neal.
     

    
    
    Re -1
    
    Well that solves that then he'll be off to Goodison by the end of next
    week.  ;-)
    
    Pj
    
     

    
    There was a press conference at Leicester starting at 11:00 today.
    Whatever the announcement we can be certain that Martin O'Neill won't 
    have finished talking yet.
    
    Richard.
    

    According to IRN it's a done deal...........
    
    
           Martin O'Neill's today signed a new three year
           deal to stay on as Leicester manager into the
           next century. 
    
           It follows his Coca Cola Cup triumph and getting
           the Foxes into Europe.

                 
    Direct from the Leicester Mercury City Pages:
    
    
    THE BLUE Army were today celebrating what many consider THE major
    signing of the summer - manager Martin O'Neill agreeing a new, improved 
    contract which will take him through to the Millenium.
    
    The Leicester City boss still has a year of his existing contract to run.
    
    Today, however, he clinched a new three-year deal with the aim of
    continuing the fine work of last season, which was one of incredible 
    success.
    
    City chairman Tom Smeaton, who last week blasted a "hands-off" warning to 
    other interested clubs, including Everton, said today:"This is great news. 
    Martinhas delivered tremendous success following promotion last year by 
    finishing ninth in the Premiership, winning the Coca-Cola Cup and taking 
    the club into Europe.
    
    "He is one of the most talented managers in the country and the fact that 
    he has committed himself to Leicester City for another three years 
    demonstrates his confidence in the club.
    
    "His ability to motivate and mould individual players into a never-say-die 
    team is unique. He and his team's skill and capacity for endless hard work 
    are just the qualities we want at Leicester City."
    
    O'Neill had been initially reluctant to commit himself to a longer
    contract, partly through his habit of being the self-confessed " world's 
    biggest pessimist" in terms of things going wrong. "Then the club wouldn't 
    want me!"he would add.
    
    Today nothing could be further from the truth and O'Neill said: "I
    am delighted to sign up for the next three years. I had a year left to run 
    on my contract which I always maintained I would honour.
    
    "I am hoping the new deal, which gives me an extra two years, will give the
    club a platform to keep the momentum of the previous 18 months going and 
    obviously establish ourselves firmly in the Premiership which we all know 
    becomes increasingly difficult every year."
    
    Smeaton had been anxious to close this deal in a bid to bolster the club's 
    image of solidarity leading up to their proposed share issue.
    
    The move will also suggest that the board, who were split between O'Neill 
    and Norwich manager Mike Walker as a replacement for Mark McGhee in December
    1995, can now appear to be fully behind the manager.
    
    Smeaton said: "Off the field it is the board's job to back Martin fully. 
    Our plans for a flotation will bring substantial funds into the club from 
    a broad range of investors. These funds will allow further investment in 
    the team, completion of the new stadium and expansion of the youth
    development programme, all of which are vital to the club's continued 
    success."
    
    

    
    ... and if the comments of his agent are anything to go by,
    Emile Heskey will be at Filbert St next season as well.
    
    I, too, was looking in the LCFC pages the other day. I saw
    something that surprised even me!. Apparently, Leicester City
    won the FA Charity Shield back in 1971. Is this *the* Charity
    Shield?, I thought you had to win the league title or FA cup 
    final to even play in the Charity Shield match?. 
    
    Arsenal, I think, won the double the previous year with LCFC 
    winning the (then) 2nd division. 
    
    Does anyone know anything about this - did City win the 'real' charity 
    shield game or some other tournament (or was the Web page wrong?)?. 
    If the Web site is correct, I'd be interested to know who they beat 
    in the final & the score, if anyone out there can remember (:->).
    
    Paul.