Leicester played Bournemouth in their last game of the season. A 0-2 defeat that made it ever so clear how difficult this season became.
Over the years a number of former foxes has had a life with The Cherries.
A player who left Leicester back in 1974, named Tommy Paterson, made his mark down south. He made his move to play for Bournemouth. Later also returning for a longer stay, joining Weymouth. A club that has been the home of other former foxes, Steve Claridge and Lee Philpott.
Weymouth is not a well-known football town or a typical destination for the ordinary football fan. However, it gained recognition when London hosted the Olympics in 2012 and put Weymouth on the map. Weymouth was the destination for sailing/yachting events.
As a dedicated follower of football, frequently looking up Leicester relations. This time exploring special happenings. In this little story, we will touch this town and their football club. It involves a former player leaving LCFC back in 1974.
It’s lovely to hear new stories about former footballers, not always winning a place in the front row. But their talent evolve elsewhere and at lower levels. These stories include those about current and previous players who represented Leicester during their careers. Tommy Paterson had a special stay at Weymouth and a brief time with Leicester, from 1973 to 1974. He was a talented youngster playing as a striker. He had ability. However, we all know who had the job up front at Leicester in those days.
Paterson never looked back from his youth and reserve days at Leicester. He signed for Middlesbrough, iconically joining Jack Charlton. Both Tommy and Jack are from Ashington. Then of course also the birthplace of Bobby Charlton, being two World Cup winners being from the same place.
Tommy Paterson joined Leicester after being spotted by that father of John Farrington. He was a scout in the north. Being recommended, Tommy was soon playing in the youth and reserves. He never got the chance to play in a first team for Jimmy Bloomfield. He was not getting much time to show from Jack Charlton either. Middlesbrough had, later to become Leicester scout, David Mills as a front man and other alternatives to call on. Tommy must have learned and picked up a few things as he went on to become a goalscoring icon himself.
He was given a proper chance at his next club AFC Bournemouth. He scored 10 goals in 57 league games. He played for The Cherries in tier 3 and 4. He moved back north to join Darlington. He left The Quakers after just 7 league games, scoring 2 goals. In 1979, Paterson stepped into non-league football and joined Wyemouth on the south coast. He had probably been on the beaches earlier on while with Bournemouth. It is easy to understand his decision on his next move in football. He returned to the south from his native north.
He scored 42 goals in 86 non-league appearances for The Terras. During his time here he had former England, Spurs, Chelsea and Rangers defender Graham Roberts as his teammate.
Tom Kilkelly, Phil Weller and Tommy Paterson at the Portsmouth Dockyard. All of them previous players at Leicester. Tommy Paterson had his own special journey in football, read more https://t.co/tkAubtY5S6 more on football and Leicester #lcfc #soccer #afcbournemouth #weymouthfc pic.twitter.com/xaNJg9kRnI
— Ivar T editor of TCF – Filbertway and Soccervoice (@TheCunningFox) June 25, 2025
We got a nice photo from the Portsmouth Dockyard this spring. It shows Tommy Paterson (out right) with his mates from early days at Leicester. He is in the best company with Phil Weller and Tom Kilkelly. Kilkelly lives in Australia and frequently being back in England and Ireland.
We have earlier had some great talks with Phil Weller and Tom Kilkelly about their careers in football, as well as their time at Leicester. Also of course having talks about Keith Weller, Phil’s brother, who was an inspiration to all of us. These three had special careers in lower tiers of the football league and top tiers of non-league football.
Tommy Paterson, best remembered for his time at Bournemouth and Weymouth, later played for other non-league clubs, Poole Town, Salisbury, and Dorchester. He continued playing until his early 40’s. This shows that life in football can carry you far, with short or longer periods at Leicester City.
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