The tough-tackling defender followed Brian Little, his manager at previous club Darlington, to Filbert Street as cover for the injured Tony James. Sunderland-born Coatsworth was already a legend at Darlo after scoring the goal that secured their return to the Football League. He was a defender with, with all respect, limited abilities but one who nevertheless gave 100 per cent and was usually effective in his play.
His start at City was an unfortunate one, playing just three senior matches before having an operation to repair cruciate ligament damage. He did return from the set-back in the 1992-93 season, however, and marked that return at Barnsley with two goals from right-back in a 3-2 success.
He only made 27 league starts for the Foxes but his last start was a memorable one - setting up Steve Walsh's equaliser in the play-off final clash with Derby County. Further injury problems unfortunately stopped him featuring in the following Premiership campaign and he called time on his career in early 1995.