This Saturday, Leicester City Football Club launched the 125th anniversary exhibition at Snibston Discovery Museum. Soar Magazine took time out for a trip down memory lane…

For Club Historian and former Headteacher, John Hutchinson, ‘From Shed to Stadium’ is the culmination of months of hard work researching and categorising numerous artefacts, whilst producing picture boards that pay homage to the Foxes of the past.

“A lot of people have come to today’s exhibition and the enthusiasm supporters have for the history of our great club is infectious. Within minutes of arriving, I was reminiscing with a fan about a game on Easter Monday when we beat Manchester United 4-3, with hat-tricks from Ken Keyworth and Dennis Law.

“Anyone who questions the club’s role in the community need look no further than the staggering statistic that over 43 million people have come through the turnstiles in the club’s history.”

Hutchinson was at the opening of the exhibition, but also gave the first of four talks to supporters. Saturday’s lecture documented the history of Leicester Fosse, with the following free talks on promotions (Saturday February 6th), cup finals (Saturday February 20th) and memorabilia (Saturday March 6th).

City fanatics were joined by former Foxes favourite and current matchday host, Steve Walsh, who shared an artefact of his own with John.

“I’ve actually brought a headscarf along from the 1949 Cup Final against Wolves, which was given to the players’ wives and there’s already one here part of the display.

“I’m really impressed with the exhibition and full credit must go to John and the team here at Snibston, who have all done a fantastic job.”

So, what role does Walsh believe the history of football plays today, given the sport’s dramatic change in recent years?

“It’s very important. I used to collect programmes when I grew up in Preston and wished I’d kept a few more from my own playing days.

“When you’re playing you just get on with the job and don’t think so much about the history of a club, but it’s very humbling to be a part of the club’s hall of fame and meeting supporters today shows just what it all means to them.”

And for Hutchinson, a huge fan of Walsh during the defender’s 14-year spell at Filbert Street, was there a stand-out moment from his career?

“It has to be the Derby play-off final for me and if you look closely, that picture (Steve Walsh’s winning goal in the 1994 Play-off final against Derby County) is a faded image on every board here, as it is one of the most iconic in our history. I’m glad I’ve added Steve to the ‘Hall of Fame’ though as he is here today and I might have been in a bit of bother if I hadn’t!”

John was delighted to see supporters of all ages taking in the educational benefits of the day, with the next generation of Foxes fans learning more about the heroes they never saw,

“There are artefacts here representing every decade of the club and I’ve watched people take an hour to go around reading every word about the hall of fame, managers, cup finals and much more, which is great to see.”

Hopefully more supporters will do the same as Hutchinson and the team at Snibston, have dedicated a great deal of time, effort and skill in to producing a truly magnificent exhibition of our great football club.

For more information on ‘From Shed to Stadium’ click here or look out for updates on www.lcfc.com.