With the help of Club Historian John Hutchinson, De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) has opened an area dedicated to the history of Leicester City in the Heritage Centre on campus.
Boasting a broad range of artefacts, memorabilia and historical information boards, the intriguing exhibition, open now in the Hawthorn Building, has been established to celebrate Leicester earning city status in 1919, which coincided with Leicester Fosse becoming Leicester City Football Club.
Covering a passage of time which has included three League Cup success, four FA Cup final appearances and the stunning 2016 Premier League title success, the exhibition is open until February 2020.
John and Elizabeth at the exhibition (picture courtesy of Plumb Images/LCFC)
It is the product of months of work between LCFC and DMU, with John at the centre of the efforts to bring the club's history to life in an informative and engaging way.
Speaking to LCFC TV earlier this week, City's Club Historian said: "This is a display which encapsulates the history of Leicester Fosse and Leicester City since 1884.
"It’s a mixture of narrative and artefacts from the Club’s own collections. It’s arranged chronologically and it starts with 1884, with the story in the garden shed, and it finishes right up at the present day.
(Photo courtesy of Plumb Images/LCFC)
"The display takes in the main highlights of the Club’s history in that time. Obviously, we have some artefacts on display at the stadium, but a lot of these are rescued from the vaults and don’t see the light of day.
"It’s nice to actually have the opportunity to bring them to a display like this which De Montfort University have put together for us, so that other people can enjoy some of these very interesting artefacts."
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John worked with Heritage Centre curator Elizabeth Wheelband and heritage assistant Steven Peachey on the project.
"This exhibition is primarily about the last 100 years of LCFC," Elizabeth explained. "It actually came about because our theme for this year in the Heritage Centre is celebrating Leicester as a city since 1919.
"While we do talk about the Club’s history going back to Leicester Fosse, it’s primarily the last 100 years of key moments and prominent individuals.
"It’s been incredible. We actually have incorporated this exhibition and the space into a couple of our modules with History, Sports History, Interior Design.
"So, it’s been a wonderful space for them to learn about not only sports history, but how a museum comes together."
Posted on Tuesday 15 October 2019