18 years since Walshy's double... So what's changed?

I know it's been a while since my last post, but trust me, it's been a busy one for me!!

One of the things I've been busy doing is clearing out my parents old house before they move. In the loft, I found my collection of old programs from the first season I started really following football, and it got me thinking... It's 18 years since Walshy's double at Wembley against Derby put us into the Premiership - but what's changed?

Well, in terms of the club personnel and the players, obviously a hell of a lot. Brian Little's starting lineup in our first Premier League game (a 3-1 loss to Newcastle at Filbert Street) consisted of:

1. Gavin Ward

2. Simon Grayson

3.  Mike Whitlow

12. Richard Smith

19. Colin Hill

14. Nicky Mohan

6. Steve Agnew

8. Mark Blake

10. Mark Draper

5. Steve Walsh

7. Julian Joachim

Not actually too bad a starting 11. Not to mention Steve Thompson, Iwan Roberts and Kevin Poole on the bench.

We've seen some great players come and go over the years. This was the season Emile Heskey made his first team debut. We saw Neil Lennon, Muzzy Izzet, Robbie Savage, Kasey Keller, Steve Clariage, Matt Elliott and lots of other quality names at Filbert Street under Martin O'Neil (or Martin O'God, whenever normally mentioned in my flat!!).

That brings me neatly on to managers. In that 18 years, we've had no less than 13 contracted managers since Little departed 3 months into the season (not to mention the 9 periods where we've been managed by caretakers). Quite a lot when you consider MON was at the club for 5 years, but not that many if you also consider that Milan Mandaric changed twice in one season during the ill-fated 2007/08 campaign.

While there have been some understandable lows (a couple of Premiership relegations, and a short tour of League 1!), we've had some really good times as Leicester fans in the last 18 years. Our most successful period was under MON - Promotion to the Premier League, where we stayed for 5 years (and we topped it too, for about a week!!) and 2 League Cups, not to mention some serious strengthening to the squad.

We've swapped Filbert Street for the King Power stadium, giving us a bigger platform to strengthen the fan base. We all miss Filbert Street, but personally I think it was a good decision to move.

Overall, a lot has changed. We're a completely different club when you look at how we were back then. I don't believe our squad now is any weaker than the one that made it into the Premiership 18 years ago. The Championship has changed completely, and it's more difficult than ever to get out of. As we always say though, This Time Next Season...


TTNS...