The Managers: Jimmy Bloomfield, 1971-1977

[davieG]

https://www.lcfc.com/news/787254/the-managers-jimmy-bloomfield-19711977

 

Jimmy Bloomfield had a huge impact on Leicester City when he was their manager for six years between 1971 and 1977.

All of these seasons were in the ‘old’ First Division. Only Peter Hodge and Matt Gillies held the manager’s post at Filbert Street for longer and only Gillies managed Leicester City for more seasons in the top division.

Bloomfield was Leicester’s 12th manager since the Club had been re-formed in 1919. Aged only 38, he was a classic example of a young tracksuit manager. He was also the first Leicester City manager from the south of England, following a succession of Scots, north countrymen and the Irishman Frank O’Farrell.

Expand photo Jimmy Bloomfield
Jimmy Bloomfield's Leicester City beat Bill Shankly's Liverpool in his first ever game as manager of the Foxes.

He came to Leicester with an excellent footballing reputation as a skilful inside-forward. After two years at Brentford as a youngster, under the great Tommy Lawton, he spent over six years at Arsenal where he flourished under the coaching of future England manager Ron Greenwood. His time at Arsenal included an unbroken run of 115 league games out of a total of 227 appearances, and a spell as captain. He then played for Birmingham City, Brentford again, West Ham United and finally Plymouth Argyle before becoming Orient’s player manager in 1968. In 1969/70, he guided Orient to the Third Division title.

A Londoner himself, Jimmy brought several big-fee, high profile players to Filbert Street from the capital. These included Jon Sammels and Jeff Blockley (from Arsenal), Keith Weller, Steve Kember and Chris Garland (from Chelsea), Alan Birchenall (from Crystal Palace) Dennis Rofe (from Orient) and Steve Earle (from Fulham).

Jimmy Bloomfield's Leicester City beat Bill Shankly's Liverpool in his first ever game as manager of the Foxes.

Leicester City 1973/74

Renowned coach Malcolm Allison described Leicester City’s attacking performance as the best he had ever see under Jimmy Bloomfield.

Together with players like Peter Shilton, Frank Worthington and Steve Whitworth, who along with Weller, all won England caps during Jimmy’s time at Leicester City, these players formed the nucleus of one of the most attractive and entertaining sides in the Club’s history.

After beating Bill Shankly’s Liverpool 1-0 to win the Charity (Community) Shield in his very first game as Leicester City’s manager in August 1971, Bloomfield’s Leicester City went on to achieve two top 10 finishes in the ‘old’ First Division, (ninth in 1973/74 and seventh in 1975/76). Leicester also reached the FA Cup semi-final in 1974 before being knocked out by Liverpool in a replay at Villa Park. This run included overwhelming Luton 4-0 at Kenilworth Road. The renowned coach Malcolm Allison described Leicester City’s attacking performance as the best he had ever seen. It led to Bloomfield’s team being compared to Brazil!

Jimmy Bloomfield featured on the front cover of Leicester City's 1975/76 Yearbook.

By 1977, tensions had been building between Jimmy and elements of the board and sections of the crowd. Despite finishing the season in 11th place in the ‘old’ First Division, Jimmy resigned in July 1977. He returned to manage Orient in 1977, taking them to an FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal. However, with his health deteriorating, he left Orient in 1981. Sadly, he died of cancer in 1983 at the young age of 49.

However, his legacy lives on. Bloomfield’s reputation as a Leicester City manager who loved and encouraged skilful, creative and entertaining football remains intact to this day.

[sylofox]

The mans a legend. When he was at orient and we played them to win div 2. On our coach and a road was blocked. He was following us pointing directions to the coach park. He followed us in came and wished us luck. But added its not a free game. One of the best.

[Chico1958]

Legend........ simple as that.

 

Best footballing team I've ever seen in the shirt of Leicester.

 

He really doesn't get appreciated for what he did for us 71-77.

 

Died to young 63..... RIP  Jimmy 

 

And thankyou for fond memories

Edited 20 July 2018 by Chico1958

[Kegworthfox]

Best footballing manager i have seen at leicester, Just a couple of players  short of winning the league a real nice guy always had time for the fans 

 

A real Leicester Legend and glad i was around to watch is football.

[Buce]

 

50 minutes ago, Kegworthfox said:

Best footballing manager i have seen at leicester, Just a couple of players  short of winning the league a real nice guy always had time for the fans 

 

A real Leicester Legend and glad i was around to watch is football.

 

This.

 

Fvcking this.

[MisterFoxKillen]

1 hour ago, Chico1958 said:

Best footballing team I've ever seen in the shirt of Leicester.

 

1 hour ago, Kegworthfox said:

Best footballing manager i have seen at leicester

Where were you guys during Leicester's 2015-16 season when the club EPL against the odds of 5000-1 with Claudio Ranieri in charge?

 

----------------------

Having said that, Bloomfield is a great club legend and will be forever remembered.

 

RIP

Edited 19 July 2018 by MisterFoxKillen

[Nickfosse]

Agree with everything said above. That’s the Leicester City team I watched as a boy and fell in love with. 

Absolute disgrace that we sacked him and appointed Mclintock. 

Went from regular top 10 finishes and great football to the second division. 

Edited 19 July 2018 by Nickfosse

[TrentFox]

I guess it’s a bit like your first girlfriend. You never forget. And you never quite have the same feeling for anyone else ever again. That period was my ‘first love’ and it still makes my heart race reading that article............ if only my current partner had that effect !!  ? 

[Spudulike]

I saw every home match between that 1971 Charity Shield match and the end of the 1975 season (and plenty of aways). Also went to every round of the epic 1974 FA Cup run. Great days to be a teenager. Tank tops and scarves round the wrists.

 

Jimmy gave us the best team the world had ever seen (and I really meant that when I sung it in the Kop).

[Webbo]

I was only a kid at the time but I seem to remember we were all glad when he went.

[sylofox]

14 hours ago, MisterFoxKillen said:

 

Where were you guys during Leicester's 2015-16 season when the club EPL against the odds of 5000-1 with Claudio Ranieri in charge?

 

----------------------

Having said that, Bloomfield is a great club legend and will be forever remembered.

 

RIP

 

15/16 Was the perfect storm look at the dross in the league the following season.When the same manager implemented his own style.

 

What CR did was unbelievable but that don't mean we have never had a better manager. MON did it over four seasons 3 cup finals and 2 wins. Yes MON didn't win the league but he never looked like taking us down.

 

 

[The Guvnor]

Worthington and Weller what technical skill there, started watching Leicester mid seventies and that was some team.

[Chico1958]

20 hours ago, MisterFoxKillen said:

 

Where were you guys during Leicester's 2015-16 season when the club EPL against the odds of 5000-1 with Claudio Ranieri in charge?

 

----------------------

Having said that, Bloomfield is a great club legend and will be forever remembered.

 

RIP

 

Read my profile buddy.

 

Having said that, where were you in 1971-1977  

[Kegworthfox]

1. did we not have the 4 w's whitworth worthington Weller and wallington playing for England if my memory serves me right ?

[mikey54]

15 minutes ago, Kegworthfox said:

1. did we not have the 4 w's whitworth worthington Weller and wallington playing for England if my memory serves me right ?

Not Wallington - he made a couple of appearances for the under 23s I think

Edited 20 July 2018 by mikey54