Micky Adams had guided Leicester back to the Premiership at the first attempt, despite the club spending part of their Division One campaign in receivership before a takeover safeguarded their future. But he was unable to keep them there, and their relegation was confirmed at the beginning of May. A 4–0 thumping of fellow relegation rivalsLeeds United in September appeared to have set the tone for the rest of the season but it was soon followed by a setback of five straight defeats despite promising displays. A run of three wins in five games in November kept Leicester in close contention of survival, with the 2–0 victory atPortsmouth seeing them rise to as high as 12th; however, it all went wrong as, after a creditable 1–1 draw with eventual championsArsenal, the team went into freefall and endured a dreadful run of only one win in 22 games (though most scorelines were reasonably close and they dropped too many points from 12 games they drew which they could have won). Ultimately, Leicester were relegated in a 2–2 draw atCharlton Athletic, which left them eight points adrift ofManchester City with two games remaining. It was a traumatic end to a season which had seen the club plagued with crises on and off the field, including theLa Manga controversy when playersKeith Gillespie,Frank Sinclair andPaul Dickov were accused ofsexual assault following an alleged incident at a hotel inSpain (all charges were finally dropped).
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
At the end of the season, Leicester's annual award ceremony, including categories voted for by the players and backroom staff, the supporters and the supporters club, saw the following players recognised for their achievements for the club throughout the 2003–04 season.
^Sinclair was born inLambeth,England, but qualified to representJamaica internationally and made his international debut forJamaica in 1998.
^Izzet was born inTower Hamlets,England, but qualified to representTurkey internationally and made his international debut forTurkey in 2000.
^Elliott was born inWandsworth,England, but also qualified to representScotland internationally and made his full international debut forScotland in November 1997.
^Benjamin was born inKettering,England, but qualified to representJamaica internationally and made his international debut forJamaica in November 2002.
^Thatcher was born inSwindon,England, but qualified to representWales internationally and made his international debut forWales in March 2004.
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