James was never a consistent performer during his five-year stint at City, although that wasn't helped by his bad luck in the injury department, but he will long be remembered for scoring a crucial goal against Oxford that helped keep the Foxes in Division Two at the end of the 1990-91 season - something that ultimately changed the club's fortunes.

The Sheffielder was a youngster at Sheffield FC and then Gainsborough Trinity before Lincoln City spotted the defender and David Pleat took him to Filbert Street. James was a powerful defender who always gave 100 per cent and had a huge throw on him to bolster City's attacking options in and around the penalty area.

His goal against Oxford was the icing on the cake on a season that may not have been too successful for the club, but was successful for James, with the fans' Player of the Year award going his way at the end of the season.

Injuries put paid to his time at City, including a double leg fracture, and he moved on to play for Hereford United after his stint as a Fox before he finished his career at Plymouth Argyle.