davieG Posted 20 March 2006 Share Posted 20 March 2006 Source There was a time around the Millennium when Leicester City were intent on making the League Cup their personal preserve. Martin O’Neill took his over-achieving Foxes to three Finals in four years, the last of them in 2000. Success was based on some no nonsense but highly professional defending, a very talented, balanced midfield, Emile Heskey’s emergence and a supporting cast who all did their jobs to the maximum. Leading it all was the idiosyncratic O’Neill- like his former boss Brian Clough, the former Forest man has the knack of man management and he took Leicester to two triumphs in this competition. Tim Flowers Kasey Keller was between the sticks for the 1997 and 1999 Finals. The ex-England keeper arrived from Blackburn in August 1999 and ended his career at Filbert Street in 2003, though he did have a few loans elsewhere. Won 11 England caps in total. Frank Sinclair A pacy defender acquired from Chelsea and generally an excellent buy despite the tendency to score spectacular own goals now and then. Played well over 150 games for Leicester after joining in 1998. Has a winners and losers medal from FA Cup Finals with Chelsea. Joined Burnley in 2004. Gerry Taggart Uncompromising, old school, Northern Irish international defender who epitomised the spirit at the club under O’Neill. Had already been a durable servant for Barnsley and Bolton before joining the club in 1998. Stayed nearly 6 years before moving on to Stoke where he still gives it everything. Matt Elliott Impressed with Oxford United, before O’Neill gave him a chance at the top level. Before long the centre-back had become a Scottish international in a late flowering career after putting in the graft in the lower divisions. Won 18 caps in all. Steve Guppy One of several players who followed O’Neill around. Was with the manager at Wycombe after a steady career at Port Vale. While at Leicester he became such a useful left-sided player that Kevin Keegan gave him one England cap. Moved on to join Martin O’Neill at Celtic and last year ended his career playing for DC United in the USA. Stefan Oakes One of the supporting cast enjoying their big moment. A valuable squad man for 6 years, without ever establishing a regular first team berth. Had a spell at Walsall that didn’t work out in 2003 and then had a season with Notts County. Is now part of Wycombe’s terrific current League Two campaign. Neil Lennon One of two players to appear in all three League Cup Finals, the midfielder was a combative presence in the centre who used the ball well and shielded the back four. One of Martin O’Neill’s key signings when he went to Celtic and Lennon became just as important an influence there. He’s now played over 200 games since joining the Bhoys in late 2000. Robbie Savage Savage’s raging desire to prove himself after youthful rejection by Manchester United was the driving force of the side. Joined Leicester after three years under Dario Gradi at Crewe and generally put himself about the midfield to good effect. Played the best part of 200 games after being signed for a bargain £400,000 and the club made money on him when he joined Birmingham in 2002. Muzzy Izzet Another reject, this time from Chelsea. By the time O’Neill left Leicester Izzet was a Turkish international. Like Lennon he appeared in all three Finals and became an inspiring creative element of the team. Hard working, but also a good passer of the ball and capable of making timely arrivals in the box. His summer 2004 move to Birmingham has been blighted by injury. Tony Cottee The ex-England striker was brought back from a stint with Selangor of Malaysia in 1997 to add his knowhow to the forward line. Chipped in 27 League goals before finishing his career with short stints at Norwich, Barnet and Millwall. Emile Heskey A home grown product who blossomed into a powerful, pacy threat in the O’Neill era. His ability to run purposefully into channels and unsettle defenders was vital to the workaholic strategy of the team. Had six years in the first-team squad before his £11 million move to Anfield in 2000. The Subs Ian Marshall was a surprisingly effective player at both ends of the field despite his somewhat shambolic appearance. Andy Impey came from West Ham after starting his career at QPR. The Londoner was a useful addition up and down the right side and is currently at Coventry Hugh Larkin 15 March 2006 Latest article feedback Bill Urban:Steve Guppy '...and last year ended his career playing for DC United in the USA.' where he was complete and utter crap bar the odd, occasional cracking cross into the box. got sent home before the season finished, just the latest in a long line of aged Euro crap bought by the pin head know-nothings behind the MLS single entity system. ahem. sorry, Hugh, well written and informative article. The Muse went off on one for a moment there. Random knowledge: Guppy's brother is the President and CEO of the Chicago Fire, and by all accounts an oleaginous, smarmy suit who trades on being the brother of an ex-Premiership player. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sackmycook Posted 20 March 2006 Share Posted 20 March 2006 donkey's at brum & lily's with Farte & Laborious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monk Posted 20 March 2006 Share Posted 20 March 2006 What an awesome team that was. We could beat anyone on our day.Ian Marshall is my hero Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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