WORST DAY IN CITY'S HISTORY

[MikeyT]

Thisisleicestershire

Apologies if this has already been posted somewhere else. I had a look but couldnt see it!

Foxes legend Gary Lineker today described Leicester City's relegation to the third tier of English football as "the worst day in the club's history".

The ex-Foxes and England striker spoke for thousands of distraught fans as the club dropped to League One - the old third division.

It is the first time in their proud 124-year history that Leicester City have been in that division.

Lineker told the Mercury: "It's the worst day in the club's history. It's a sad day for City fans and I'm very disappointed."

City chairman Milan Mandaric, who missed the match because of family commitments in America, was devastated.

He said: "I am gutted. This is the biggest defeat in my life - not just in football, but in everything I have done."

In the end, City needed to beat promotion-chasing Stoke City to ensure survival as all their nearest rivals were winning.

Despite being roared on by around 2,000 fans who travelled to the game, City could only manage a 0-0 draw.

Southampton, who were one place below City, were saved after beating Sheffield United 3-2.

There were tears from City fans in Stoke's Britannia Stadium as the home team supporters invaded the pitch to celebrate their promotion to the Premiership.

In pubs across the city, where thousands had packed to watch the televised game, there was despair as many sat with their heads in their hands.

Leicester City legend Steve Walsh, who is now a radio commentator. said he was "totally destroyed" after the result.

He said: "I couldn't face the phone-in for the radio show after the match.

"I'm just absolutely gutted, I feel very down.

"Words can't say what I feel right now.

"It's the worst day ever for City fans and it's not sunk in yet.

"I'm hoping it's the start of a new beginning for Leicester City - I hope we can come out of this and rebuild.

"We have not been good enough this season but I really didn't think this was going to happen, it's a sad, sad day."