Going back in years you can find former “Foxes” and “Baggies” and nothing better than to start with Alistair Brown, who was a young and lively forward at Leicester City. He established himself as a forward in the team that was promoted from the old 2nd Division in 1970/71. He moved to West Bromwich Albion for a fee of £61.111.
Laurie Cunningham might not be as much remembered for his days at Leicester City as he was from his time at The Hawthorns. Cunningham made the most out of his stay at West Bromwich and moved on to Real Madrid and from there and later played a short while with Leicester City in the early 80’s. Laurie did well in both camps, and of course fondly remembered by the fans of these two clubs.
Harvey Barnes who today is flying high with Leicester City did his job with West Bromwich Albion as well, being loaned out for League Championship action during the 2018/19 season. His talent is known and of course still a youngster but his contribution made his loan stay shortened and know one of the finest young talents in Premier League action.
The two defenders Lee Marshall and Phil Gilchrist both moved from Leicester City to West Bromwich Albion. Gilchrist never got the chance to establish himself 100%, and moved on for fee of £500.000 to West Bromwich where he spent three years from 2001 to 2003. Lee Marshall did take the same path a year later and played together with Gilchrist, joining for a fee of £700.000.
Well known Leicester City nomad Trevor Benjamin had a short loan spell at West Bromwich during his days as a fox. Despite being seen as just that a football nomad he spent five seasons with Leicester City, adding up 81 league games and scoring 11 goals, but just one goal in three games during his short loan spell at The Hawthorns.
Another forward was Kevin Campbell. The West Bromwich Albion player to be, joined Leicester City on loan from Arsenal. Mostly known form his career as a Gunner and at Everton, but still a player that also played for Leicester City and West Bromwich Albion. 11 league games and 5 goals as a fox, for West Brom he scored only 6 in 45 games later in his career.
Nicky Cross started his career at West Bromwich Albion, then a few years later played for a season or two at Leicester City. A forward who might be mostly known for his days at Walsall were he probably played his best football scoring almost in every 2nd game, banging in 45 goals in 109 league games.
Peter Eastoe might be mostly remembered for his days at Everton and Queens Park Rangers, but the former Wolves and Swindon forward also had spells at Leicester City and West Bromwich, signing twice on loan and making an effort as a fox. He joined both clubs in the latter stages of his career in the mid 80’s.
A player that probably had his best years in football with Leicester City was Lloyd Dyer, who had his start in football with West Bromwich Albion. A fine contribution for “City” helping the club out of the 3rd and 2nd tier of English football. In the silent adding up 230 league appearances for Leicester City and probably not enough recognized for his services in his six years with the club.
Mark Grew was a surprising signing done by Gordon Milne, who decided to bring in the West Bromwich Albion shot stopper to challenge Mark Wallington, but Grew’s intro was not as you would have hoped and eventually losing his place to Mark and later Ian Andrews. Grew returned to The Hawthorns for a second time, but it was just for one single game, all happening through the 80’s.
Russell Hoult was a young and talented goalkeeper who started out with Leicester City, he later joined West Bromwich Albion and established himself as a certain first choice over a number of seasons, spending seven years at The Hawthorns, playing for The Baggies from 2000 to 2007.
Steve Lynex must not be forgotten. He was signed from Birmingham City and had two spells with West Bromwich. First as a youngster not being able to break into the first team and then after his great days at Leicester City returning for a second spell playing 29 league games in 1986/86.
West Bromwich lured Joe Mattock away from Leicester City, and the young left back with full England hopes made the move. Mattock is still very much involved playing for Rotherham United after his time at The Hawthorns.
Gareth McAuley never got the best out his career at Leicester City joining from Lincoln City. McAuley blossomed as a player in his 30’s and became a very important man at The Hawthorns and played more than 200 league games before moving on to Rangers, keeping his career alive close into his 40’s.
Leicester City today have Jonny Evans in the middle of defense, a player that has done well since joining and before that playing in the Premier League with WBA and of course Manchester United. We should neither forget Chris Wood and Roman Bednar who were playing up front in both camps.
A list of players in both camps,
- Goalkeepers
- Mark Grew
- Russell Hoult
- Chris Kirkland
- Defenders
- Phil Gilchrist
- Lee Marshall
- Joe Mattock
- Jonny Evans
- Gareth McAuley
- Frank Sinclair
- Midfield
- Laurie Cunningham
- Lloyd Dyer
- Andy Johnson
- Steve Lynex
- Ian Banks
- Winston White
- Marc Albrighton
- Forwards
- Kevin Campbell
- Harvey Barnes
- Peter Eastoe
- Nicky Cross
- Alistair Brown
- Trevor Benjamin
- David Speedie
- Chris Wood
- Roman Bednar
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