Leicester City Through The Years: 1920-1930

01

Central Alliance winners

Although the first team only finished 12th in Division 2 in 1921, the reserves won the first of three successive Central Alliance titles. This medal belonged to Andrew Roxburgh, who went on to play first-class rugby for Leicester Tigers in 1922.

02

William Jennings passes away

Founder, director, Club benefactor, prominent citizen and local industrialist William Jennings died suddenly aged 49 during the 1920/21 campaign. He is buried at Welford Road Cemetery. Leicester players acted as pall bearers at his funeral.

03

New Main Stand

The new Main Stand, pictured here during construction, was opened for the match against Coventry on 26 November, 1921.

04

John Duncan

Johnny Duncan, Club legend, captain and key figure in the golden years to come, signed from Raith Rovers in 1922/23. His goals helped Leicester to 3rd place, with the Club missing promotion on goal average.

05

Hugh Adcock joins

Arthur Chandler (who became the Club's record goalscorer) and Hughie Adcock, whose 434 games puts him 3rd in the appearances list, made their Leicester debuts in the first game of the 1923/24 season.

06

Churchill's Minervia car

Winston Churchill, liberal parliamentary candidate for Leicester West watched City’s league game against South Shields in 1923. He was taken to Filbert Street in director Arthur Needham’s eight cylinder Minerva car.

07

Six consecutive goals for Duncan

With Chandler and Duncan scoring freely, Leicester finally achieved promotion as Division 2 champions. Duncan scored six consecutive goals with this ball on Christmas Day 1924.

08

Promotion souvenir

The Club produced this 16-page souvenir booklet, containing photographs of the players and the directors to celebrate the promotion to Division 1.

09

Black's championship medal

Adam Black’s gold Division 2 championship medal is on display in the King Power Stadium.

10

Main Stand extension

As these architects’ plans indicate, the recently-built Main Stand was extended as larger crowds were expected due to Leicester’s newly-acquired Division 1 status.

11

Scotland call-up

Captain Johnny Duncan was capped by Scotland against Wales in October 1925. He made his international debut alongside his great friend and future Arsenal legend Alex James.

12

Arthur Lochhead

Future manager Arthur Lochhead, Scottish international goalkeeper Kenny Campbell and future England international Ernie Hine were signed to strengthen the side before January 1926.

13

Orr comes in

Following manager Peter Hodge’s departure to Manchester City in May 1926, Willie Orr became the boss. He was to take the Club to unprecedented heights in the old Division 1.

14

Chandler's shirt crests

Chandler, Leicester’s leading goalscorer, was selected for the Football League’s match against the Scottish League at Filbert Street in March 1927. This is his shirt crest from the game.

15

Len Barry signs

Future England international Len Barry signed, joining four other present or future England players at the Club; Adcock, Osborne, Bishop, and Hine.

16

New Double Decker Stand

The newly-built Double Decker, was opened on 26 November, 1927. It replaced the old Kop Stand, pictured here. The roof of this old stand was relocated to the Filbert Street end of the ground.

17

Record Filbert Street crowd

A record Filbert Street crowd of 47,298, with another 5,000 locked out, watched Leicester’s 5th Round FA Cup tie defeat against Spurs in February 1928.

18

Chandler and Hine

The strike force of Chandler (left) and Hine (right) scored 54 goals in 1927/28, helping City to a third placed finish in the league. The following season was to be even better...

19

Team photo

Leicester City’s second best-ever league season started slowly. They were only 14th when this team photo was taken at Birmingham.

20

Richie's debut

The debut of George Ritchie (seen here leapfrogging in 1928) against Burnley heralded a change in fortunes and Leicester City began their steady climb up the table.

21

Chandler's ball

City beat Portsmouth 10-0, a Club-record victory. Chandler scored six times with this ball, which is on display at King Power Stadium. England internationals Hine and Barry scored three times and once respectively.

22

Geary cartoon

This Geary cartoon includes the five swans that flew over the ground after ‘Channy’ had scored his fifth goal in 1928. It doesn’t show the sixth straggling swan whose flight preceded his sixth goal.

23