Looking Back To Izzet's Magical Leicester Spell

[HankMarvin]

8 hours ago, Tielemans63 said:

My favourite ever Leicester player too

 

The season after we got relegated and were promoted as runners up to Portsmouth....it was frankly indecent that he was playing at that level. He was a top end premier league footballer playing in the championship. He was head and shoulders above everyone else in the league that season (alongside Paul Merson for Pompey) and the biggest influence in that promotion.

 

That season we were on the brink of oblivion and that promotion effectively saved the club IIRC. If Muzzy had left (and he was more than entitled to) and we'd been marooned in the Championship then God knows what might have happened to us. He is not only the best but also possibly the most significant player we've ever had. 

 

He's the epitome of a legend in my eyes; massively talented, loyal, selfless and a top bloke too - Muzzy was everything you could wish for in a Leicester player.

Well summed up 

[baldeagle]

9 hours ago, FoxyJim1987 said:

Played a fair bit until we signed Matt Elliott and then became very much a fringe player. Without looking it up I'm sure he scored against Chelsea at home in the 96-97 season.

It’s just completely wiped from my mind for some reason . Then again I am old 

[Hamilton Fox]

Remember sitting there watching transfer deadline day signings on teletext (literally watching the page to see if city came up on it) that’s how it was those days! Both me and my dad had the exact same response as everyone else - who?!! 
 

His debut at home to Sheffield United was  without a doubt the only good thing on the day. What a player he would become and so many more great memories, it would take so long for us to replace his creativity.

 

A bona fide club legend

[Bayfox]

On 08/07/2022 at 20:29, wokinghamfox said:

I will never forget the corker against Tottenham at home. We were flying high then and MON had just announced that he was staying. Muzzy hit his peak that night. 

 

Great time to support City.

Martin didn't announce he was staying until after that match, that game was the game were the Mercury I think it was had printed all the Don't go Martin flyers, still got mine he said that was the night that made him decide to stay and not got to Leeds.

 

For the record, muzzys goal was amazing, but because of it, Heskeys goal that night gets over shadowed.

[Poco]

Incredible player; skilful, hard-working, created, scored. IMO, he walks into any 'greatest XI' in my time supporting the club.

[Rob Clarke]

Super footballer and a club legend. His autobiography is a very interesting and entertaining read in which he lifts the lid on the dressing room at the time, particularly the great camaraderie and drinking culture!

[jim5000]

Some of these rival Vardy's most famous goals

 

 

[Arriba Los Zorros]

Love him! This is the Leicester I will always associate with us, the team I grew up watching as a kid, yo yoing between Prem and Champ.

 

That Grimsby goal continues to be unreal. Come on now...

 

Edited 12 July 2022 by Arriba Los Zorros

[Paninistickers]

On 09/07/2022 at 00:39, FoxyJim1987 said:

My favourite player growing up, fell in love when he scored at Watford in 96 to clinch a play off place. So many memories, the karate kick of the corner flag after scoring v Forest at home, the stutter and finish to clinch a 3-1 win at villa park, diving header v Brighton at home to clinch promotion, the 'Leeds lob' in the cup the Spurs volley, and of course I will never ever forget being behind the goal at Grimsby when he scored probably our all time best ever goal by any city player, the best goal I've ever seen live.

 

Could have left several times and decided to stay, almost single handedly got us promoted in 02/03 by being just a whole class above the rest of the league. Still lives and works locally. An absolute legend of the club, and if it wasn't for Vardy would still be my all time favourite player.

Such a thrilling goal that. Deservedly 2-1 up with 5 left and obviously having to absurd increasingly frantic laye pressure. Amd then Muzz finished like that to make it 3. Gorgeous 

 

My other fave was the Derby diving header (our second, just 96 secs after kick off, lol) ...you can see on his face 'emile, cross the thing I'm in' as he's sprinting into box

[Durnerz]

Said around 1999-2002 that he could play in any top premier league side and not look out of place.  Such a talented player and club legend, stayed with us through all those dark days and many that won't be forgotten in a hurry. Top player. 

[trabuch]

My favourite player until Vardy. He was fantastic to watch and had tons of football personality (I sort of know what I mean by that!).

[melrose]

I urge anyone that remembers that era with fondness to read Muzzy's autobiography

It brings it all back and he tells it like it was on and off the pitch, warts and all

A brilliant read, even if you don't usually read those type of books!

[SemperEadem]

Top bloke and all.

[sylofox]

11 hours ago, SemperEadem said:

Top bloke and all.

You're not talking about Rudkin then?

[Wasyls Pec Deck]

Now he’s a proper legend

[Paninistickers]

Odd observation, but unusually for ex players he still has that cool aura about him. Most players lose it (often very quickly) and become 'normal' 

 

I met him and Walsh a few years ago to do with thier kids soccer school business.  Walshy was everso normal. I could talk to him on a level. Muzz was equally polite but just oozed that relaxed coolness of successful people. I was much more starstruck with him than I was with Walshy 

[blueharmie]

Ahead of his time! Still the fleckney mistro! 

[Trav Le Bleu]

People talk of those "wonder years", but imagine the furore on here if we finished in the league positions we did under O'Neill. 

 

N.B. I'm not dissing him or Muzzy, just the raised expectations since we won the league.

Edited 14 July 2022 by Trav Le Bleu

[ParkerPen]

13 hours ago, Trav Le Bleu said:

People talk of those "wonder years", but imagine the furore on here if we finished in the league positions we did under O'Neill. 

 

N.B. I'm not dissing him or Muzzy, just the raised expectations since we won the league.

The size of the club in every measurable way was a lot smaller, relative to the top half of the premier league than it is now

 

stadium, facilities, wage bill / structure, transfer spend all bottom half of the league in the 90's