Game Seventeen - Hartlepool home

27th September 2008

How can it be that this season is only 6 league games old before today? We seem to have been going for ages now and with the JPT and league cup to contend with, the games are coming thick and fast and sometimes it's easy to forget which competition you're actually competing in on that day.

Today was back to league action though and the fourth home game of the season against a Hartlepool side that gave us a tough game earlier this month in the JPT. They were probably the best footballing side we'd seen to date in all fairness and so I was quite optimistic of seeing a decent game as we headed down to Filbert Way in the bright sunshine.

Pre game rituals were few and far between today as a quick stop in the bookies (bloody Arsenal), and the last few minutes of the merseyside derby dominated the proceedings. With my head throbbing from the night before, even contemplating the hair of the dog just pushed my stomach onto the fast spin cycle normally only associated with industrial washing machines. Jimmy Bullard was there taking pictures in his own brilliant fashion. This time he was following the Birch round on his pre-game presentations and clearly enjoying his job as club photographer and premiership player look-a-like. Legend!


The game itself got off to a flyer as a quick through ball released Lloyd Dyer who passed it across the keeper for Matt Oakley to bundle it in somehow. Yet another contendor for scrappiest goal of the season after Fryatt's effort at Orient. Still they all count and the celebrations started and the players headed back to the centre for the second kick off of the opening three minutes.

Two footballing sides, an early goal to open things up.... this would surely get the crowd going and set the scene for a classic high scoring game ..... or not. The crowd fell flat after the early goal and although I was thankful for this with my sore head, it left an eerie feel to the game and gave it a pre-season feel once more.

Both teams attacked and it was quite an entertainment match in all honesty but the crowd of 18,000 were about as much in the game as Filbert Fox. The pace of Lloyd Dyer always caused the visiting side trouble and a few chances failed to find the back of the net as Fryatt and Howard didn't find things going their way.

Defensively we were sound once more and David Martin only had one real save to make from a corner and to be fair, it was a good save. I've been quite the critic of Martin in his games and still retain belief that he is the second best keeper we have at the club and that Henderson has been harshly treated. Four games, four clean sheets and still on the bench. Interesting!

As the game drew to a slow end with Hartlepool starting to press for the equaliser, even Filbert Fox looked a little uninterested in joining in with the usual abuse for goalkeepers taking their goal kicks.

So another win, and our solid start to the season continues. Not the most memorable game that we will have this season and despite it being fairly entertaining, it missed that X-Factor that makes these things stand out in your memory. Come the end of the season, this game will just be another fact and one for the record books. It won't make the highlight reels and it won't be one that you tell the grandkids about in your rocking chairs but it was a solid performance and so no complaints from me. Plus if we win on Tuesday night in Colchester, we'll head back to the top of the league and what at the moment feels like a solid start, will actually suddenly appear to be a brilliant one. See you at ground number 50!

Game Sixteen - Lincoln Home (JP Trophy Round 2)

23rd September 2008

And so for the first ever time, the Walkers Stadium was to host an LCFC v LCFC match as Lincoln City made the short trip for the second round of the Johnstones Paint Trophy. While some remark this as a meaningless tournament that just gets in the way, I'm looking to really embrace it and see it as a start of a new era of good times at the club. Promotion is all well and good but a day out at Wembley is what we all really dream of and this competition opens up that doorway.... well to be honest it's more of a cat flap then a door but it still equals the possibility of a nice shiney trophy for the cabinet!

After 90 minutes of overtime (which turned out to be more entertaining then the game), I made the short walk to the Walkers Stadium where me and Jimmy made our way into the 1884 sports bar to get out of the suprisingly chilly September night. We waited in there till Jodie, Helen and Colleen arrived not long after 7:15 and headed through the turnstiles.

Jimmy headed off to his own seat, Helen and Colleen to theirs and me and Jodie headed up to the top corner of the west stand where we sat for the Stockport cup game. As expected some of the FT lot were there and we then proceeded to play musical chairs for the first 5 minutes of the game as people arrived and wanted to sit in their own seats designated to them on their tickets. Soon we gave up and just headed over to the kop and spread out there.

Managed to have some good laughs away from the game (which was dire and I have nothing to say about really). Ben broke his zip and now can't afford to get it fixed after being conned of his remaining £3 by Ched... classic! Some great shouts too as Chris Bart-Williams was quickly spotted playing for Lincoln and the genius one in the picture below of how the Lincoln fans form the shape of an arrow if you look closely complete with arrow-head. If only all "Spot the ball" competitions came with clues like that!

The game itself then..... erm...... well it lasted 90 minutes...... there were some substitutions..... Max Gradel got injured...... erm...... and if it was Poker then we would have won with a pair of Kings on the field. In fact this guy reading his programme during the game sums up the entertainment!

As is tradition with the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, if it remains a tie after the 90 minutes are up, we bypass extra time and go straight to penalties.... thank god! My first live shoot out - happy days! The players made the usual group hug on the centre line and Bruno Berner stepped up to take the 1st on his debut.....

And successfully converted to put us ahead. Lincoln's first penalty was also despatched with ease and then Matty Fryatt stepped up to make it 2-1. Then it turned into the Paul Henderson as he made two saves either side of a missed strike by Andy King. Henderson's second save was something quite special, diving full length to his right to touch it round the post. Each goal and miss put us closer to the third round and was greeted by a rugby tackle from Ben to push me into the row of seats behind! Anyone would think it was the final! Wesolowski made it 3-1 and it was left to ex-leicester boy Frank Sinclair to chip the ball over the bar to seal a forgettable victory.

By no means beautiful but it's another win and one step closer to Wembley. There's one thing that's hanging over me regarding this competition though.... the possibility that we may draw Carlisle away on a tuesday night. Now that would be a test to the 100% record. Next stop.... our second game against Hartlepool this season as they make the long treck down to the east midlands. Three points please Mr Pearson!

Game Fifteen - Leyton Orient away

20th September 2008

So after last weeks shambles at home to Millwall, we were looking for an instance responce and three points away in london and the visit to Leyton Orient. Brisbane Road was the setting for the 15th match this season and my 49th ground.

To be honest, I wasn't in the best frame of mind for this one and the long trip on the coach probably helped as it gave me a chance to sleep and just relax. Lots of things circling in my mind and watching the english countryside pass by the window of the speeding coach helped keep things focussed.

Due to the early departure (9:30am?? Jesus!) we were allowed a long stay in the services giving me ample time to eat and then bump into Jodie in the bookies. No winners today - thankyou very much QPR!! All you had to do was beat Coventry and I'd have won £65. Useless!

Anyway, we arrived and parked up at a fruitmarket a good 10 minutes away from the ground and the 500 or so Leicester fans who'd travelled by coach all made the walk through London drawing some strange looks from the passing motorists.


Arriving at the ground, the players were being allowed off the coach in groups of four (odd!) and I was just in time to see the last three with Maxi Gradel, Paul Henderson, Jack Hobbs and ex England internation Chris Powell. He was clearly very impressed with the bald man thrusting a pen into his hand. I'd like to think a lifelong friendship has been created there!

The outside of the new main stand is very impressive. Offices and a pharmacy are built into it so unless you knew it was a ground you would struggle to spot it from a distance.... although to be fair this big sign does help slightly! The corners of the ground were quite odd too as small towers of flats complete the area with balcony's overlooking the pitch. Now how cool would that be? Just popping onto your balcony on a deck chair and watching the football in the sun with a cold beer? Downside being that you'd have to watch Leyton Orient everyweek but I suppose they may have the odd nice FA Cup tie at home each season if you're lucky?

The other side of the main stand with the offices overlooking the pitch.... and the block of flats in the right corner.

This is where the away fans used to be sat apparentley and boy would I rather have been in there. As we are such a "massive" club (so we're told) we were given the entire east stand running alongside the pitch and I think it's fair to say that no one has been in the section of the stand that I was in for a long time. The thick covering of dust on the seats and floor gave that impression. In fact, I dropped my programme onto the floor and nearly lost sight of my shoes from the dirt rising up. Nice! The wooden seats too.... redefined uncomfortable. Annoyingly I actually had to sit too due to the section being full and the old people behind me looking like they would collapse if made to stand for 90 seconds let alone 90 minutes. One thing that I did note about the stand on the left though was that they still had adverts for Driver 2 on the playstation up.... now that game was released in about 2000, maybe earlier so think they made need to update that!

The other stand, complete with another block of random flats.

Leicester's good away performaces were drawing good followings and even a "celebrity" was out in force for this one. Young Peter Beale from Eastenders took up his position near the front. That's him in the white on the front row, blocking the sun from his eyes.

The away end soon filled up and we were in good voice as the game looked to get underway.
Now rumour has it that a kick off took place but reports are as yet unconfirmed......

The game itself then. And Leicester burst into life from the start and really went at Orient looking to correct the poor result from last week. Matty Fryatt hit the wood work and others went close before some good interplay by Oakley, Fryatt and Howard set Lloyd Dyer in on goal and he made no mistake tucking the ball between the keepers legs. Party time.

We looked like running away with this but Orient slowly came back into it and by half time were level through a well worked corner and looking the more likely to score again. This continued into the second half and nerves were starting to tingle as the home side looked threatening every time they came forward. We only had one real chance and that was when Fryatt lifted the ball over the onrushing keeper only to see it come back off the bar for a second time.

As the 85th minute came round, I was bracing myself for the worse and thinking a draw wouldnt be such a bad result but more drama was to come. Good build up play once more and a shot from Fryatt left DJ Campbell with a tap in.... which he somehow missed and in the scramble that followed, Fryatt managed to poke the ball past the keeper to send us into dreamland! Who ever would have thought that a goal at Leyton Orient would bring so much joy.

With the confidence now sky high, we played a bit of keep ball and before we knew it, Fryatt played King through to slot past the keeper and give us a 3-1 lead that more than flattered us. Cries of E I E I E I O rang around the 2600 Leicester fans as the party really got underway and the home ends emptied around us.

The relief from the players and Nigel Pearson was evident... as was the dismay of the Orient players who fell to their knees. We'd had a real game at Brisbane Road and the three points were vital to us to make sure we didn't fall behind any further than the postponed game with Colchester had put us. Win that game in hand and we go second. Happy Days!

The journey home gave me time to think about the start to the season. How was this only the sixth league game of the season? And what a start it had been really thinking back. 4 wins, 1 draw and 1 defeat. I'd have taken that before the MK Dons game and Nigel Pearson is really doing a great job.

All that's left now is to keep the run going and try and win some silverware. Johnstone's Paint Trophy on tuesday night against Lincoln.... could that be the final gloss on what could be a great season? Pun intended.

Game Fourteen - Millwall Home

13th September 2008

The 13th.... unlucky for some, and unlucky for Leicester it would seem. Well I say that but I dont think luck had much to do with anything!

So lets start from the beginning. From start to finish this had all the omens of being a bad day at the office. Firstly, Helen would be missing due to her recovery from the operation and secondly the lousy 1pm kick off time! Weekend football should be 3pm on a saturday only!!

Anyway me and the old man parked up at the Pheonix and had a view of the top of the walkers over part of the city centre... pretty crap picture really and ive no idea what that massive chimney thing is actually!


From then I headed into town and met up with Jimmy and set off to Ladbrokes to place a few (losing) bets. From there it was the short walk to the walkers and the chance to see the next step in our league one tour. Something didn't feel right when I got there and I just wasn't in the mood for the game.... in fact as the teams came out and the pre match rituals took place, I didn't sing once. I think it was the dodgy kick off time messing with my head but I couldn't be overly bothered with it all today....
Sadly neither could the players and what ensured was an awful match where we were kicked and battered all over the pitch. A goal in the first half seperated the two teams and frankly there was nothing to get excited about and I have nothing to really write about.

In fact I took the picture below to sum up the game in my eyes..... That guys hat was like the game today. It's just not football!
There really isn't much to say. They had a player sent off, could have been more and we just didn't trouble their keeper. It was boring. It was rubbish. It was..... last season!!! The club have been tested for the first time and they failed it. Lets just hope they pass the retake against Leyton Orient next week.

Game Thirteen - Notts County v Bournemouth

6th September 2008

So what do you do when your team's match is postponed due to international call ups? Well isn't it obvious? Head over to a random game and check out some of the ex Leicester lads or players away on loan!! As fortune would have it, young Ricky Sappleton would be just down the road with his Bournemouth team mates for a game against Notts County.

As luck would have it, trains run directly from syston to Nottingham so it was one of the easiest grounds in the country to get to for me and better yet, the opportunity to spend the night in Nottingham with one of my best friends. A short train journey and walk through the city centre and I was at hers for a quick natter before making my way to the County Ground.

Arrived very early at the ground and after quickly browsing the turnstiles, I found one with an old boy who looked likely to let me in for cheaper without to much hastle - the £20 adult price really didnt appeal for a league two clash.

The ground itself is actually of a very good standard for league two and much better than some we will visit ourselves this season.

Sadly however, although this was a good 45 minutes before kick off, the ground never really got much fuller than this.
A few other Leicester boys made their way over for this one and it wasn't long before Lil' Dave, Joe and Tilley arrived and we took our seats awaiting the arrival of one Ricky Sappleton!
It soon came to our notice that the good people of Nottingham have not quite got the hang of this spelling malarkey as they managed to get "Bournemouth" wrong on the scoreboard. Another thing noted before the game was how close the two stadiums in the city are as the club logo of the City Ground can be seen from our position in the away end between the two stands.

The game itself can only be described as awful with very little quality on display. A 12th minute goal from Jamie Forrester volley gave County the lead but it didn't last long as Bournemouth hit back with a quality goal of their own. Some great build up play resulted in a low cross being turned in at the far post by Brett Pitman. And to be honest.... that was it. Nothing much happened in terms of the game.

It was good however to see how other away fans behaved and to watch on as they amuse themselves. One guy in particular who they call "Nonny" gained the seal of approval from us as he started most songs and then managed to walk into a pillar when he wasn't looking! The guy's Bournemouth's Bernie! Legend!

Not really much else to report on the game as Ricky never made it onto the pitch. In terms of Mr Sappleton, the only highlight came when he put his shin pads on as he warmed up. For a second, we really thought we'd see him in action but I guess it was not to be!

So that was Notts County and ground number 48. Awful game but a good laugh none the less and I soon made my way back into the city centre to spend the evening there and complete a quality weekend with Sam. I just hope the international break doesn't ruin City's good run....

Game Twelve - Hartlepool away (JP Trophy Round One)

2nd September 2008

You know sometimes you have to just sit back and think about what you're doing with your life. I think it's safe to say that when I woke up on the 2nd September, that was one of those moments! Why the hell was I letting myself in for this long and brutal treck up north for a competition that we've been dreading since the day we were relegated to this league. The Johnstones Paint Trophy marks another first for the club and we have to make the effort to welcome it into our lives, afterall, technically as the team top of league one, we're the best team in the competition!

So with the day booked off and a decent lie in in hand, I headed to the bus stop to meet Miss Dexter and begin the trip to the north east coast. A quick run round the shops for "Dexter's Treats" and a slight miss-communication regarding meeting at Greggs and we were off to her dad's work to pick up the car and head to the Walkers.


After parking round the back we had a quick look round at the random names on bricks and the cuttings from the walkers stadium pitch (which stunk like nothing else!). Of course Miss Dexter was straight into the programme sellers booth and was actually suprised by it being wet despite the heavy rain fall!

With that it was off to the meet Jodie and Bert and board the coaches. This was to be the last Fox Travel journey before Chloe heads off to university so was almost fitting that we took Bert's FT virginity on the same day.

It was quite an entertaining journey and a quick stop in the bookies at the services saw me and Jodie both pick winning accumulators that would see us taking home a bonus £24 each from the day. That was the travel and match ticket paid for right there!

After the stop we were introduced to the famous "name game" and Chloe teamed up with Bert to take on me and Jodie. As the ranking professional, Bert took control from the start and guided them to a comfortable 5-1 victory (but for the record, our win on B was as good as has been played in the history of the game....ish).

When we arrived at the ground we made our way round the back and into the Hartlepool Supporters Club for a quick drink and a childish game of beer mat flipping. Chloe set the early mark with a flip of 12 but revenge was set for the name game as your boy here stepped up to the plate and successfully flipped 20 mats in one go. Not to be out done, Miss Dexter was keep to match it but could she do it................

Fat chance!! Beer mats everyone! Some were even reported as being found as far away as Bristol!!

We made a sharp exit after her trail of destruction and headed to the turnstiles noting the ship in the docks just on the horizon.

At the turnstiles we bumped into Lil' Dave, Joe and other members of the foxestalk lot and we soon went in to see what The Victoria Ground had to offer us. The answer.... not a lot. And boy did we love it because of that!

We quickly put up the Foxestalk flag.... twice and then did what others have only ever dreamed of. Had our photo taken with the legend that is Jimmy Bullard! And when I say that, I don't mean the fake one that plays for Fulham and was called up for England! I mean the real one that takes pictures for Leicester.

Bert, me, Jimmy Bullard, Chloe, Joe and Tommeh.... I think it's safe to say Bert has never been as happy as he was at that moment! Better credit Lil Dave with the picture or he'll only accuse me of theft!

After the general warm up and the like, we were ready to get our first Johnstones paint trophy game underway....

There was little to report on a fairly even first half that some would say Hartlepool maybe shaded. We did hit the woodwork though and created the better chances but they looked sharper and more up for it. In fact most entertainment came from Lawrence, a skirt wearing Hartlepool fan who sits in with the away fans singing our songs and generally acting pretty odd! He kept us laughing throughout though!

The second half was a different story to the first thought and I'm not sure what Nigel Pearson said to the players but they were keep to give the hardcore Leicester fans who had made the trip something to cheer. Some silky stepovers and a cool finish from Super Steve Howard gave us the lead and he was clearly delighted after having an earlier strike disallowed (his third in three games).

Lloyd Dyer fired a free kick narrowly wide as we pushed forward looking for the goal that would seal progress to the next round.

Sustained pressure and it seemed only a matter of time before City added a second goal and so it was, as good work from DJ Campbell set Nicky Adams clean through on goal and he made no mistake cooly lifting it over the Pool keeper.

A great run from Wesolowski and a very unselfish pass from DJ set up Matty Fryatt for a tap in into an empty net and ensured the second big victory away from home.

Considering we were unsure as to this competition, it provided us with a great nights entertainment and we headed back to the coaches with smiles on our faces.

The trip home was a lot quiter as the long day caught up with some of us and the eyes started to droop. The most entertainment was when it was found out that we had overtaken the FT lot who had made the trip by car, who now found themselves stuck on the motorway edge with a flat tyre..... Car 0 - 1 Fox Travel! Cue the blurred celebrations!

So that was our first venture into this competition and we can now look forward to a game with Lincoln City at home in the next round at the walkers. The 100% record this season is still going strong and has passed it toughest test.

You know sometimes you just have to sit back and think about what you're doing with your life...... I wouldn't change a thing! Johnstones Paint Trophy? Yes then!

Game Eleven - Cheltenham away

30th August 2008

The end of August and game eleven of the league one tour. It's hard to think that the trip to Cheltenham would mark only the second away league game of the season after all that seems to have gone before already. Still, with confidence at a high after the mid-week trip to Fulham, we headed on the short journey south to see what the country town of Cheltenham would offer us.

I have nothing to report on the journey as I was fast asleep on the coaches before we'd even hit the motorway and didnt wake until we were about 5 minutes from the ground. I suppose I could have got a picture of the battery life wasted on my i-pod but that seemed more pointless than most other shots.

But anyway, Cheltenham. Arrived in good time and had a quick gander round the outside of the stadium.....which lasted all of 2 minutes before the executive decision was made to head into the town and find a pub and food.

Cheltenham chippy.... poor! That's the only review I can give on that. Healthy portion but they wern't up to much so after bumping into a random wedding, we went into the pub where we were soon joined by Chloe, Jodie, Mr Jodie and Mr Jodie's friend. Childish chat, beer mat flipping and general bitching kept us going until it was time to venture to Whaddon Road.

Epic stands! These are real football stadiums and not the standard souless stadiums we've become used too in the last few years.

Most of the first team squad were there doing their pre-match dance routines as the crowd grew larger. Chloe managed to get a hug from the Cheltenham mascot (pervert) and then some strange man came round and gave us sweets..... no comment needed for that one I think.
"The Mrs" was all about Morisson but wasn't childish enough to interrupt him during the warm up to get a picture with him so simply posed until he jogged into shot behind her. For some reason, Jack Hobbs didn't want to be upstaged and decided to sniff his own armpit. Boy we have random players this year!

Fans favourites though.... Dickov and Gradel. I hope they're not getting too friendly.... saying that what is Dickov doing with his left hand? Ahem!

Oh yeah, a game actually happened too! Easy to forget that on the away days at the moment! Erm... it was a strange one actually as it never felt like a competitive match. From the moment that Lloyd Dyer smashed us into the lead after three minutes we never really looked like taking anything other than three points. In fact the only real suprise was that we were only one up at the break as 'KING' went close to doubling the lead.

In the second half we simply carried on where we left off and controlled the game. Howard had one disallowed before Oakley got his first for Leicester with a well taken 20 yard shot that he rifled into the bottom corner. Finally the crowd got going and the sell out away end was in good voice singing amongst our selves seeing as the Cheltenham fans were like the fans and not interested in playing ball.

Matty Fryatt smashed in a free kick to make it three (if only the picture was a couple of seconds later then it would have been a beauty!) and then Lloyd Dyer went on a 50 yard run for his second to seal our biggest away win for 10 years. News broke through late on that due to other results, this thrashing put us top of the league on goal difference and the celebrations really kicked off.

So that was Cheltenham. A lazy trip there, a lazy performance where we didn't have to get out of second gear and a lazy trip home (where I slept again!). To be honest this game just felt like a friendly as it was so one sided and they never seemed up for the challenge at all.

Next trip..... waaaay up north to the town of Hartlepool for our debut in the St Johnstones Paint Trophy. Can't wait!