Today Leicester are up against Bournemouth at home. A club who have, under their manager Eddie Howe, impressed everyone, especially at home. They are also able to attract good players and manages to compete with a much lower budget than most.
Among former foxes to have played for Bournemouth are of course several. Yann Kermorgant is one recent to have played for both clubs, and he is more of a hero with The Cherries than with Leicester City. Kermorgant, now with Vannes, played 20 league games for Leicester and 64 for Bournemouth. He only scored once for Leicester, while at Bournemouth netting 24 times.
Steve Claridge started his professional football career with Bournemouth, joining from Fareham Town as far back as 1984. 12 years later he had a relatively short spell with Leicester City, but during those months he became iconic, scoring in the play-off final v. Crystal Palace and later settling the 1997 EFL Cup final with his single goal v. Middlesbrough at Hillsborough in that replay.
The first player to reach TCF’s mind is Derek Dawkins. A player was seen as a top talent, but with Dennis Rofe a regular first team choice at Leicester City in the left back position, it was difficult to get the chance. He moved to Bournemouth and later Mansfield Town were he added up a large number of league appearances.
David Langan, spent a short period on loan at Leicester City, but the Irish international is more famous for his time with Derby, Birmingham and Oxford. He joined Bournemouth just after his spell with Leicester, back in 1987.
Eddie Kelly is another from the 70’s and early 80’s that has spent time in both camps. The former Arsenal “Double” winner, also made a “Double” at Leicester City, playing for the club in two periods and after his 2nd spell at Filbert Street joining Bournemouth.
Ricky Sappleton joined Bournemouth on loan from Leicester City, this was back in 2008. Sappleton who also is a former Jamaica U.20 international, played 3 league games at Dean Court, and scored once. He made the league team sheet at Leicester City on one single occasion. The now 29 year old striker has the last seven seasons played in non-league and at the moment with Cheshunt FC.
Goalkeeper Ian Andrews made 64 league appearances while at Bournemouth and after his spell, lasting from 1994 to 1996, he returned to Leicester City in the capacity of “physio” but was also registered as a player. In his first years with Leicester City he showed class, replacing Mark Wallington as the number one choice, also played for England U.21 during that time.
David Webb is also a former Leicester City player with a past at Bournemouth. The player we recognized the mostly from his spells with Chelsea and QPR, was both a player and manager at Dean Court during a spell in the early 80’s.
Danny Thomas is also a former fox with a life at Bournemouth. He had a relatively good spell with The Cherries after joining in 2001 spending three seasons at the South Coast, before moving on to Boston, Shrewsbury, Hereford and Macclesfield.
A player who in recent time has played for both clubs is Max Gradel. Gradel left Bournemouth in 2018, signing for Toulouse, and is now with the French club.
A list of players in both camps,
- Goalkeepers
- Ian Andrews
- Defenders
- Derek Dawkins
- David Webb
- David Langan
- Midfield
- Danny Thomas
- Eddie Kelly
- Max Gradel
- Forwards
- Yann Kermorgant
- Steve Claridge
- Ricky Sappleton
