Dave Webb was one of several signings made by Frank McLintock. It was McLintock’s only top flight season as manager in football. He took Leicester down to tier two in the 1977/78 season. It was a struggle from day one. Webb himself had a great career behind him, have special success in his years at Chelsea and Queens Park Rangers.
He was 31 years old at the time of his arrival. The opportunity he had to leave and join his former partner in the QPR defense was significant. It should have served as a warning signal.
Leicester had a number of good central defenders at the club. Alan Woollett and Jeff Blockley were both very experienced. They had long and proper careers in the top flight. Steve Sims was coming through and playing at England u.21 level. McLintock also having a young Larry May to call on.
David Webb had been with Chelsea winning both the FA Cup and European Cup winners Cup. He ended runners-up in the league with QPR. He also had a runners up medal in the League Cup with Chelsea. He signed for Leicester in September 1977. He took a place in the central defence. However, he still could not help out the way Frank McLintock had foreseen.
Webb had a great impact at his previous clubs. However, he never managed to build on that experience when joining Leicester. The team got relegated. Jock Wallace, the new manager, came in and gave Webb a number of games. Wallace decided early on to sell Webb to Derby in December 1978. Webb played 33 league games for Leicester. His stay never mirrored anything of what he experienced at Chelsea and Queens Park Rangers.
FACTFILE
- Full Name: David James Webb
- Position: Defender
- Date of Birth: 09.04.1946
- Birthplace: Stratford, Essex
- Nation: England
- Caps / Goals: – / –
- Major Career:
- 1963-66, Leyton Orient (62/3)
- 1966-68, Southampton (75/2)
- 1968-74, Chelsea (230/21)
- 1974-77, Queens Park Rangers (116/7)
- 1977-78, Leicester City (33/0)
- 1978-80, Derby County (26/1)
- Links: Wikipedia
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